The Oyo State Government has begun the payment of bursary awards to students of Oyo State extraction in Law Schools, Medical Schools, Aviation Schools and final year students of universities and HND across the country.
The beneficiaries, numbering about 2,950, were drawn from a pool of about 3,000 registrants, having met the criteria set for the award, Senior Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs to Governor Seyi Makinde, Victor Olojede, said on Friday.
He noted that the governor had earlier approved the bursary to the tune of N554,989,000, describing 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 the final year in polytechnics, universities, Nigerian Law School, Aviation Schools, Medical and Clinical Schools.
“In March 2024, the governor approved the process for the bursary award. Over 3,000 students embarked on the registration and after due diligence had been done, we are 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 (Five Hundred and Fifty-five Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Nine Naira Only).
“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.”
Speaking earlier, chairman of the Oyo State Scholarship Board, Rt. Hon. Olawale Atilola, 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, saying: “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 make use of the money judiciously to buy books and do other things that can 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 a long time since students of the state 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 of accessing any scholarship, because I have not been meeting up with the criteria for scholarships in terms of age and other things.
“But for this one, the only criterion is just for me to be an indigene of Oyo State, which has made me qualified for the bursary. I am so glad and want to thank Governor Seyi Makinde for this initiative that we are benefiting from today.”
Similarly, another beneficiary who identified himself as Akanbi Mayowa, said “I am really grateful for the opportunity to get shortlisted for the bursary. It will ease my stress in paying for my final year school fees. It will really have a great impact on my education.
“Before getting this bursary, I had always been engaging myself in doing one menial job or the other and the little support from my parents to pay for my school fees.
“So, I want to say thank you to the governor for this. He is one of the best governors we have in this state and this country.”
In the same vein, a Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Ibadan, said “we are here for the screening process. Over the past years, we have not had any bursary being disbursed and this is our first time.
“This is going to be helpful for us because of our final year fees as well as our induction fees. So, it is coming at a very helpful time.
“For me, it is my first time of benefitting from a bursary like this and it will be very helpful for me.”
