The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress APC) in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, on Tuesday presented a cheque of N1 million to the overall best graduating student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga, in fulfilment of an earlier pledge made in recognition of the graduate’s academic excellence.
Oyebamiji handed over the cheque while receiving the graduate in his office in Osogbo, Osun State, where he also pledged support for Oladeji’s future academic pursuits.
The former managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority urged Nigerian youths, especially those from humble backgrounds, to remain focused and pursue their ambitions with determination.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Oyebamiji said his rise in life was shaped by hard work and dedication, expressing optimism that the graduate would attain greater success in the future.
He assured that education would receive priority attention if elected governor of Osun State, adding that brilliant but indigent students would be given opportunities to fulfil their aspirations.
“When young people excel despite difficult conditions, society must encourage and support them. We must build a culture where hard work, excellence and perseverance are rewarded,” Oyebamiji said.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund initiative, popularly known as NELFUND.
“Youth, especially those from humble backgrounds, must face life with focus and without fear. We appreciate our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for introducing NELFUND.
“Oladeji has shown us that if supported, Nigerian youths will excel. By the grace of God, when elected, we will build on the foundation that the President has laid regarding funding of education and other critical sectors,” he added.
Earlier, the graduate, who was accompanied by his mother, Mrs Bisi Oladeji, described the support he received from the NELFUND as life-changing.
Olugbenga, who hails from the Ijimoba community in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State, said the intervention played a crucial role in helping him complete his studies successfully.
The graduate, whose father is a clergyman and farmer, said the loan support eased the financial burden on the family during his academic programme.
His mother, while appreciating Oyebamiji for the donation, revealed that the family relied heavily on loans from cooperative societies and financial institutions to sponsor the education of their three children.
“This support came at the right time. There were moments we did not know how we would pay fees, but we kept trusting God and pushing forward,” she said.
Mrs Oladeji also praised the federal government’s NELFUND initiative, noting that it had brought relief to many struggling students across the country.
Oyebamiji’s campaign organisation had earlier announced the N1 million donation to the LAUTECH overall best graduating student in appreciation of the dedication and academic excellence demonstrated during his studies.
Olugbenga graduated with a cumulative grade point average of 4.89 out of 5.0 to emerge as the overall best graduating student at the university’s 18th convocation ceremony.
