The Oyo State government disclosed at the weekend that it has commenced the payment of bursary awards to students of Oyo State extraction in law, medical, and aviation schools and final-year students of universities and HNDs across the country.
Victor Olojede, Governor Seyi Makinde’s senior special assistant on Students’ affairs, disclosed this. He noted that the governor had earlier approved the bursary of N554,989,000 and described him as a friend of the students.
He said, “We are here to officially commence the payment of bursary awards to students of Oyo State in their final year at polytechnics, universities, Nigerian Law Schools, Aviation Schools, Medical Schools, and Clinical Schools.
“In March 2024, the governor approved the process for the bursary award. Over 3,000 students embarked on the registration; after due diligence, we were left with 2,950. Some students were not selected because they did not meet the criteria.
“After the process ended, we took the list to the governor for approval of the bursary payment, which summed up to over N554,989,000.
“Out of the 2,950 beneficiaries, we have about 105 medical and clinical students. There are four maritime and aviation students, and the rest are final-year students in Polytechnics and Universities.
“Governor Makinde deserves commendations because previous administrations did not look into the aspect of bursary awards and scholarships for our students in any of the institutions in Nigeria, but Governor Makinde is doing this.”
Earlier, Olawale Atilola, chairman of the Oyo State Scholarship Board, noted that the bursary award was another proof of Governor Makinde’s investments in education.
He advised the beneficiaries to use the scholarship awards and bursaries judiciously: “Before this stage, the beneficiaries applied around last year, and after we followed all due processes, they are getting the payments.
“I will advise them to use the money judiciously to buy books and do other things to enhance their education.”
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with newsmen commended the governor for approving scholarships and bursary awards to Oyo State students, stating that it has been long since state students enjoyed such benefits from the state government.
One of the beneficiaries, Yetunde Ayoola, said: “Before the bursary came, I had only been getting support from my parents. I have never had the opportunity to access any scholarship because I have not met the scholarship criteria regarding age and other things.”
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