A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Abiodun Tobun, yesterday distributed N2 million worth of General Certificate Education (GCE) forms to no fewer than 130 indigent pupils in Epe Constituency I.
Tobun told reporters at the distribution of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) GCE registration PIN to beneficiaries that investment in education was necessary to transform Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017/2018 WAEC GCE Registration scratch card/PIN goes for N13,950.
The lawmaker promised that the number of beneficiaries would increase to 200 by next week.
Tobun, the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, said the gesture was in line with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s programme on education for youths.
He said he had recently distributed JAMB forms to some candidates in the constituency but that it was later discovered that some of the candidates did not have O’ level results.
He said: “I have distributed about 120 JAMB forms to students in this area and some of the passed the exam very well.
“But we later discovered that some of them did not have complete O’ level results and some students also approached me, and said that they needed GCE forms.
“So, I felt that this was a way to let the youth grow. With this, they would be able to help their parents when they eventually graduate.
“The knowledge that we acquired is what is helping us today. So we will continue to do more to impact on the youth.
“Today, we distributed about 130 forms, but I am sure that by next week the number will increase to 200,” Tobun said.
The lawmaker said that his vision was to make the youth to be more productive so that they would move the community to the next level.
He explained that the beneficiaries were chosen on merit and he did not know anyone of them personally.
“If I give you food items or money, I might not be as happy as I am with what is happening here today.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Olowo Ogunniyi, the Sole Administrator of Epe Local Government, expressed satisfaction with the initiative of the lawmaker, describing him a true representative of the people.
Ogunniyi said that donating forms to the youth in the community free of charge was a step that was worthy of emulation by other leaders in the area.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with newsmen during the event thanked the lawmaker for the gesture, describing it as a relief for their parents.
One of them, Master Habeeb Olayinka, said that he had already completed his OND programme but needed a complete O’ level result to proceed further.
Also speaking, Miss Oluwadamilola Oyekanbi, who had just passed out from secondary school, said she needed a credit pass in Physics to proceed in her studies.
Oyekanbi, who noted that she sat for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with awaiting results, eulogised Tobun for the support.
“This gesture will help me fulfil my dream of gaining admission to study nursing in the university.”