The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BURSARY

  • Bursary: Ondo students protest

    Bursary: Ondo students protest

    Members of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) have protested the non-payment of their bursary for three years.

    The protesters, who blocked the popular Oba-Adesida and NEPA roads in Akure, the state capital, were led by the NAOSS President, Charles Iwakun and its senate president, Yunus Adewumi.

    They carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “Governor, pay our money”; “Bursary is our right, not a privilege”; “It is time to pay our bursary”, among others.

    Adewumi said the last bursary  paid was in the 2013/2014 session.

    He lamented that the issues had brought hardship on several indigent students, who rely on the bursary/scholarship payment for their academic survival.

    Iwakun said: “All appeals made to the government have been turned down. We are out protesting because the government has refused to pay us since 2014.

    “We want the good gesture of our governor in health sector and other areas to be extended to students.

    “We are not the enemies but we want to tell the government to ensure that our rights are protected.”

  • Board holds bursary interviews

    The Lagos State Scholarship Board has started interviewing students of Lagos State origin in tertiary institutions for bursary allocation for the 2015/2016 academic session.

    Its Director, Mrs Omauton Jegede, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode approved that the interviews should hold for students, who have obtained the application forms at specific zones across the country and in the five divisions of the state.

    For the Lagos Zone, the interviews will hold at St. Georges’ Primary School, Falomo, Lagos Island (Lagos Division) and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija, Epe (Epe Division) on October 14-15; and at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin on 20 and 21 (Badagry Division). Ikeja and Ikorodu divisions will hold on October 26 and 27 at Government College, Agege (Ikeja) and Oriwu College, Ikorodu (Ikorodu).

    Outside Lagos, the interview will hold in Abuja November 17 and 18 at the Nigerian Law School; and at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State on December 1 and 2.

    The exercise has already held in Kaduna (October 5 and 6) Rivers (6-7) and Kwara States (12-13).

    The Lagos State government conducts the bursary interviews yearly to determine the indigeneship claim of applicants, who must be full-time students before awards are given. The bursary ranges between N20, 000, N30, 000 and N50, 000 depending on the course of study.

     

  • Ekiti students plead for bursary

    Ekiti students plead for bursary

    The Association of Ekiti State Local Government Students’ Union Presidents (AELOGSUP) has called on the state government to hands off the local government bursary.

    The association’s Chairman, Adebowale Dada, and its Secretary, Tunde Oluwayomi, in a statement after a meeting at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) in Ado-Ekiti, called on Governor Ayo Fayose to order local council to disburse the grant.

    The statement reads: “The 16 Local Government Students’ Union Presidents have unanimously drawn the attention of Gov. Fayose to an issue rocking grassroots Students Union in the state. The bursary we get from our respective councils had been withdrew from the local government by the state. We are using this medium to call on the government for the separation of the local government bursary from the State Scholarship Board.”

    The students complained that there was no transparency in getting the grant from the Board, adding that unnecessary protocol scared away eligible students. They said getting forms for local government bursary was more reliable than the state bursary. They urged the government to study their complaints and make changes.

  • Lagos okays N39.6m bursary for law, maritime students

    The Lagos State Government through the state’s scholarship board has approved the payment of bursary to its indigenes studying in Nigerian Law School and Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

    A statement signed by the Director, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs Omauton Yetunde Jegede, directed all concerned beneficiaries to visit the board’s office for documentation in order to collect their bursary.

    A total of 192 indigenes of the state studying in Nigerian Law School and six in Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom State will be given N200,000 each, which comes to about N39,600,000.

  • Bursary excites Delta students

    Bursary excites Delta students

    Members of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU) at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) were all smiles last week when the government released the list of beneficiaries of the state bursary.

    When the list of beneficiaries in the polytechnic was pasted, students rushed to check their names. The verification followed at various locations on the campus.

    NADESSTU President, Emmanuel Oweki, hailed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for the prompt release of the money, saying the stipend would encourage them to strive for excellence.

    He said: “The bursary payment is an indication that our government is interested in education of the youth. We are grateful for the payment and we will continue to support his programmes for the youth.”

    The association president said students would be paid N19,500, noting that the money would be paid two weeks after the screening.

    The beneficiaries are expected to purchase a card at Zenith Bank for a PIN number that will enable them register online with their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration number.

    Oweki said the screening method would prevent students that are not eligible for the payment to receive bursary.

    He added: “We have a large number of students for this screening and those persons who are not from Delta State will be screened out”

    On the complaints by beneficiaries who were admitted through pre-degree programmes, Oweki said meeting was ongoing with officials of Delta State Scholarship Board to remove JAMB registration number as criterion for the payment.

    A beneficiary, Victory Odjegba, a HND II Polymer Technology student, said: “We appreciate the government for the payment, because it is coming at a time we need the money. I think the money is not too small neither is it too big. We just appreciate the money comes at the right time.”

    Another beneficiary, Godfrey Kurudu, a ND II Computer Science student, said: “We are grateful for this gesture by Governor Uduaghan, because the money is helpful in a way. It is not all students that come from rich background; students whose parents cannot cater for their needs will be happy to get the stipend.”

  • Amosun approves students’ bursary

    Amosun approves students’ bursary

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has approved and released the 2014/15 Bursary Awards to Ogun State students in higher institutions across the federation.

    Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Segun Odubela said  N117,271, 000 will be paid to 14, 550 beneficiaries.

    According to him, 4,948 final year students, 9,506 on other levels and 96 Law School students will benefit from the award.

    Odubela said the bursary would be paid directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts and enjoined the students to visit their banks.

    He said the government is committed to the welfare of all Ogun State students in line with its Affordable Qualitative Education policy.

    The commissioner urged the students to reciprocate the government’s gesture by being law abiding.

    He advised them to avoid being used by selfish politicians for anti-social activities, particularly electoral malpractices, as the general election approaches.

  • Akure students give ultimatum to council on bursary

    The National Association of Akure Students (NAAS) has expressed its displeasure over the non-payment of its members’ bursary in the last two years by the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The students said the money had been long overdue.

    In a statement by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ifeoluwa Orimoloye, the association said the council’s management had subjected its members to untold hardship in the last two years, urging Governor Olusegun Mimiko to prevail on the council to release the funds.

    Ifeoluwa said: “We condemned the action of the local government for the non-payment of our bursaries which serve as aids to relieve the burden on our parents. It is sad to say that students of Akure origin in tertiary institutions nationwide have not been getting bursary for two years.

    “Students have exhibited maturity by maintaining a high level of understanding with the local government but they must not take our patience for cowardice. We are peace-loving people and we must the council to do the needful.”

    The association gave the council an ultimatum on the payment of the bursary. Ifeoluwa said his colleagues would, block the road leading to the council, if the council fails to pay.

  • Bursary for students at anniversary

    It was a week-long celebration marked with different activities penultimate week when Epe Club marked its 40th anniversary.

    One of the highlights of the celebration was a lecture delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. John Obafunwa and a bursary award to 53 Epe students studying in different tertiary institutions across the country.

    Delivering a lecture entitled, “The Economic Status and Viability of Epe”, Prof. Obafunwa said Epe, which is majorly an agrarian community, has a lot of potential that should be harnessed to better the lot of the people.

    According to him, with a landmass of about 641 square kilometres and body of water measuring about 324 square kilometres, Epe remains an economically-viable division which is currently commercially underdeveloped because of some factors; especially the absence of electricity.

    He said Epe has great tourism sites and would be tourists’ destination if the proper infrastructure such as electricity, transportation, markets, hotels and waterfronts are provided by the government and “this will boost the economic status of Epe”.

    Obafunwa pointed out that there is urgent need for these now with the dwindling income from oil.

    “When the tourism potential is fully exploited and developed, they will create job opportunities for so many people in Epe and enhance the economy,” he said.

    On the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Obafunwa said by the time it is fully developed, it will boost economic activities in Epe division, adding that Dangote, who is planning to establish a refinery in the zone has promised that 70 per cent of the workforce will be recruited from the community and this will cut across both skilled and unskilled labour.

    He said: “With full development of Epe free trade zone, transportation, plans to have coastal roads, widening of roads coming to Epe and expansion of ferry services linking Apapa with Epe will increase the tempo of economic activities and employment generation, housing and industries might witness a boom. This calls for provision of more schools, hospitals and road network.”

    Obafunwa further said two fundamental factors must be in place for the division to actualise its full economic potential. These, he said, are peace and electricity.

    He decried the lack of electricity in Epe, which he said falls within the purview of the Federal Government. He noted that for more than one year now, Epe has not had electricity, a situation, he said, is slowing down a lot of economic activities.

    “We must solve the problem of electricity; it is the biggest problem confronting development in Epe. An alternative will be Independent Power Project which will supply power to the division so that economic activities can pick up.

    “Once power problem is solved, every other thing falls into place, as they all depend on power supply. This will unleash the full economic potential of Epe. To achieve this, all hands must be on deck.

    “The landscape, scenery and waterfront are very beautiful. Add cultural festivals to these, it will attract tourists, but there is need for peace. There are countries whose mainstay is tourism and we have the potential in Epe.  All these will increase economic activities in Epe,” Prof. Obafunwa said.

    In an address earlier, President of Epe Club, Chief Lanre Razak said the club is “renowned for championing community development, creating platform for peaceful co-existence and harnessing the collective resources and potential of Epe division”.

    The primary concern of the club which was founded in 1974, according to the president of the club, is to foster peace, unity, progress and development of the collective heritage of Epe division.

    Razak called on well-meaning individuals and “illustrious sons and daughters of Epe” to partner with the club in confronting the hydra-headed challenges of Epe division which include lack of power supply; need for economic empowerment of the teeming youths; establishment of companies and factories; creation of job opportunities and provision of vocational training.

    “I also appeal to all political leaders, your royal majesties and the government of Lagos State to put in place all necessary machinery that will enable Epe division to access and enjoy its rightful place and opportunities like every other division in the state,” Razak said.

    He revealed that the club has attained so many achievements in the last 40 years of its existence. These, he said, include construction of club house; construction of club restaurant; acquisition of two plots of land; award of bursary to indigent students of Epe division in tertiary institutions in the last 20 years; intervention in the resolution of communal disputes within Epe; creation of an advocacy front for government intervention and political office holders’ contributions towards the growth of Epe division, among others.

    The club gave 53 students of Epe origin in different tertiary institutions bursary award of N25, 000 each as part of its activities to mark the 40th anniversary.

     

     

     

    Chairman of the 2014 Bursary Committee, Elder E. Alaba told the recipients that “we want you to be partakers of the fruit of the free trade zone and it is only through struggle and hard work you would be partakers of the fruits. So, struggle and work hard so that one day, you will be in a position to assist others as you are being assisted today. Never quit, struggle to make it, life is not a bed of roses, you must be ready for the ups and downs of life, but never give up and don’t be deterred.”

    Three of the recipients, Balogun Nimota Opeyemi from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Shobaloju Kolawole Mumin, a student of Lagos State University (LASU) and Omojole Kafayatu Mopelola, a student at Ekiti State University thanked the club for its gesture.

    Opeyemi said: “I am very happy because they are trying to encourage us to be serious with our academic careers and it shows that they really want a better future for us.” Mumin said the money will serve as a relief to him and others while Omojole said she will use the money to complete her school fees.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Agbomeji Ibrahim Olatunji of LASU thanked the club “for this enviable legacy. I believe, from this spirit of benevolence, that our fathers are one and we promise to hold on to this promise,” he said.

    Other activities lined up for the anniversary celebration included church and jumat services; visit to hospital and free health programme, among others.

     

     

     

     

  • Oyo govt urged to pay bursary

    Students of Oyo State in higher institutions have urged the state government to ameliorate their suffering by paying their bursary award.

    The students, who spoke through the president of the Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU), Damola Olalere, said the delay in payment of bursary and scholarship is causing untold hardship for them, especially those who are self-reliant.

    Damola, in a statement in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital last weekend, praised Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his developmental stride in the state but urged the governor to also prioritise the payment of bursary to Oyo students, saying it was the only pecuniary benefit they got directly from the government.

    He said: “Over 4,000 students have paid the N1,000 requested by the scholarship board but they are still waiting to receive their bursaries. The payment of bursary and scholarship grants will help us to augment what we get from home and give us a sense of belonging.”

    Damola said education remained the only tool that could liberate the society from the shackle of poverty, urging the government to leave no stone unturned in giving quality education to the youth at affordable cost.

  • Lawmaker awards bursary

    A lawmaker, Hosea Agboola’s has disbursed N15million as bursary and scholarships to over 1,500 indigent students of Oyo North Senatorial district. The gesture, according to Agboola, was in fulfilment of his electoral promises to his constituency.

    Agboola, who is the Senate Deputy Chief Whip, said at the awards presentation in his home town, Igbojaye, Oyo State, that  each  beneficiaries received N10,000. The aim of the bursary award, he said, was to ensure that students are committed to their studies and respect the rules and regulations of their institutions.

    He urged them to desist from anti-social behaviours, saying that the only way to give back to the society is to give the youths the education assistance in order to make them relevant in the society.

    “This is the only way I can give back to my constituents. I cannot give you fish all the time, but I must be able to teach you how to catch fish for your own benefit.

    “Education is the only means of being a respectful citizen in the society. It will help you to excel in this world and with your little efforts, the sky is just the beginning,” he said.

    He congratulated award recipients and urged them to make good use of the money.

    The lawmaker also commissioned a block of three classrooms and an ICT centre in each of the 13 local governments of the districts.

    Schools that benefitted include The Apostolic Church Basic School III; Olopemarunin Ogbomosho South; Ori-Oke Community Senior High School, Ogbomoso North; UMCA Grammar School, Olorunsogo; Nybrosis Primary School, Oke-Suna Tege, Kisi in Orelope Local Government; Gboro Community Secondary School, Saki in Saki West Local Government; IDGS Secondary School, Iseyin Local Government and Nawarudeen Primary School, Okaka.

    At the Baptist High School, Saki, which is his alma mater, a fully equipped ICT centre with  was constructed while same was replicated at Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Are and Igbojaye Community High School.