As part of measures to cushion the effects of hardship caused by the current economic downturn in the country, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has increased the money for both bursary and scholarship awards to students of the state origins across tertiary schools in the country.
The governor disclosed this at an interactive session yesterday, held in Alausa, Ikeja, with the Theme: “Students as Strategic Partners in the Governance Process: Challenges and Prospects for Youth Development,” which was designed as part of his administration’s commitment to involve youths in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus, Developmental Agenda, capturing, youth inclusion.
Sanwo-Olu also announced the appointments of four members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS), that would serve as senior special assistant (SSA) as representatives of students with the government to interface on issues of concerned interests.
The governor also announced the approval of scholarship awards for indigent physically challenged persons across the tertiary institutions in the state.
The governor increased the bursary awards from N50,000 to N60,000 and scholarship payment from N200,000 to N225,000 for indigenes of the state in tertiary institutions.
Sanwo-Olu also appointed four former students union leaders: Eniola Opeyemi, Kayode Samuel, Giwa Moore and Adeola Adewunmi as SSAs.
Sanwo-Olu who reeled out various interventions and programmes of his administration in the Tertiary Education sector, stressed the need for collaborations to develop an ecosystem to build a solid student-University-Government relationship.
He advocated for constant stakeholders’ engagements in the education sector with the government.
He promised to extend construction of two additional Students Arcades in two universities to boost engagements and communication among stakeholders.
The commissioner for tertiary education, Tolani Sule, who acknowledged the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu administration to the implementation of quality education and new development in the tertiary education sector, pledged to sustain the legacy of excellence and continued dialogues with stakeholders to ensure industrial peace.
The lead apeaker and a former vice chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Olanrewaju Fagbohun, who stressed the need for effective communication and constructive engagement, consultation and prioritisation on the part of the government and schools management, urged students to achieve their goals by displaying positive attitudes and as well guard Infrastructure provided in schools jealousy.
