Senator Sharafadeen Alli has taken a commendable step by empowering 54 students to pay their WAEC fees and giving them cash awards. According to the Senator, this would addressed the poor education performance of students in Oyo State.
The cheques were presented, and the scholarship was launched during an award ceremony on Thursday in Ibadan.
This was part of the culmination of a four-week free holiday coaching program organised by the Good Governance and Development Initiative (GGDI) and sponsored by Senator Sharafadeen Alli.
The coaching classes included 1,635 students and were conducted across 18 centres in the nine local governments of Oyo South Senatorial District.
Alli emphasised the importance of investing in education, stating that a better society depends largely on the existence of well-educated children.
He expressed his commitment to partnering with the government and other education agencies to provide additional support and recognition for academically excelling students.
“We decided that the best time to have them was during the long vacation. To partner with the government and other education agencies by adding our input to what they are doing.
“After the exercise, we decided we needed to do more by providing them with WAEC fees and establishing scholarship funds.
“This is to encourage all these children to know that when you do well, society will recognise you,” he said.
He said the entire project, including teacher remuneration, payment of WAEC fees for 54 students, and cash awards for the top three students, amounted to approximately 15 to 20 million naira.
Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines and guest speaker at the event, commended Senator Alli and GGDI for their dedication to investing in the education of future leaders.
He emphasised that quality education was the greatest gift that could be given to a child and applauded Senator Alli for choosing to invest in the students’ future.
“I salute my brother, with whom I am well pleased, most Distinguished Senator Sharafadeen Alli. I am not saluting him because he spent money, but because of what he spent money on.
“There are senators who spend money on shadowy things, things that fade away and can’t add value to society.
“But Senator Sharafadeen Alli chose to invest in the future of these children, who will be the leaders of this society,” he said.
The event also highlighted the need for improvement in the education sector, as Oyo State currently ranks 26th out of 36 states in WAEC ratings.
Alhaji Bello Oladeji, the chairman of the occasion, expressed sadness over this ranking, thanking GGDI and Senator Alli for providing the means to address the issue.
“If you have been involved in our education system from time immemorial and you see what is happening today, you will be unfortunate.
“How can Oyo State be in the 26th position in the WAEC rating? It is very bad.
We thank GGDI and our senator, who have provided the means to make the programme happen,” he said.
Prof. Ishiaq Omotosho, the GGDI Coordinator, highlighted the embarrassment caused by students’ poor performance in recent years while praising Senator Alli for his generosity and commitment to the state’s progress.
He said that Senator Alli willingly paid for all the expenses incurred on the project.
“Notwithstanding the poor performance of the students, our senator insisted that the students should be encouraged.
“He then proposed paying for the WAEC fees of the three best students in each of the 18 centres, totalling 54 students, and additional financial remuneration for the overall best three students,” he said.
He said the senator has also proposed that the program be spread to every corner of Oyo State. At the same time, other development initiatives like vocational training and adult education will be included.
The coordinator said that these initiatives would cater to both men and women in the market, especially those who are coping with the plans to move towards a cashless economy.
Despite the challenges faced by the students, Samuel Fakunle, a program beneficiary, expressed determination to excel in his WAEC examinations and change the world.
Some teachers who participated in the project and parents at the event expressed their appreciation for Senator Alli’s laudable initiative, recognising its potential to transform the state’s education sector.
Meanwhile, the Senator has proposed expanding the program to every corner of Oyo State and including other developments.
He has also agreed to run the programme physically and virtually so that other people outside the state can benefit.
