The Students’ Aid Foundation (SAF) has awarded scholarships to 27 orphans.
The event, held at the Julius Berger Hall of the University of Lagos, Akoka, also featured the launching of the SAF Scholarship Trust Fund (SSTF).
Executive Director of SAF Shakiru Yekinni said the foundation was out to positively impact on the lives of upcoming generation.
SAF, Yekinni said, also has two other thematic areas of intervention apart from Education support.
“These are the Career and Employability support (where undergraduates and graduates are assisted to further their career and/or be able to cope with in-demand workplace skills and knowledge), and the Entrepreneurial and Leadership Training, where young Nigerians are prepared to be self-reliant and become positive contributors to the nation’s economy and growth.
He congratulated the successful 27 beneficiaries out of the 67 applicants.
“This event is the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic that our organisation was approached for help by a student who just lost his father – the presumed bread-winner of the family. We set to work to bring succour to this individual. However, in our discussion with some of our collaborators, the scope of the request became expanded and a proposal was tabled to roll a scholarship for 27 orphans. Although the foundation has given out scholarships in the past, this is the first time it is doing so on such a grand scale,” Yekinni said.
Former Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule, who was represented by Mrs Aramide Giwanson, hailed the foundation for the “wonderful initiative.”
Former Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr. AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, who chaired the occasion, donated N1 million.
Dr AbdulLateef urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunities at their disposal.
Former Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Rector Dr AbdulAzeez Lawal, called for a rethink of current education curricular to be more focused on the needs of the society and to stop the emphasis on paper qualifications.
According to him, there is a need for proper funding of education.
Chairman, Board of Trustees of SAF, Prof Adedeji Ahmed, enjoined the students to be hardworking, morally upright, prayerful and have the belief that they will reach their promised land.
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