…..Ondo First Lady says scheme is “a beacon of hope for the future leaders”.
The wife of the Ondo state Governor, Mrs. Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, has flagged off the scholarship scheme of the State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), as the agency on Tuesday disbursed a total of ₦286.7 million as bursary and scholarship awards to 4,873 students from Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas, the oil-producing mandate areas of the State.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Oba-Ile, was performed by the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Esther Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, who described the scheme as “a beacon of hope for the future leaders of the State.”
She noted that the initiative reflects Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s people-centered governance, anchored on the OUR EASE policy thrust, which prioritizes education, youth empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
She urged the beneficiaries to remain focused and diligent, stressing that government’s investment in their education is a seed for leadership and innovation.
In his remarks, OSOPADEC Chairman, Hon. Biyi Poroye, disclosed that the Governor had approved a record ₦33.8 billion budget for the Commission, the highest in its history, to meet the pressing needs of the oil-producing communities.
He explained that beneficiaries would receive financial support ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 depending on their categories, while 682 students were stepped down for further verification to ensure transparency.
Poroye added that the Commission, on the directive of the Governor, will also expose students to Leadership Summit trainings to broaden their knowledge and capacity.
He further announced plans to establish a Sports and Tourism Department to create new opportunities for youths in the mandate areas.
Reiterating his call for an increase in derivation from 40% to 55%, the Chairman said higher allocation would enable OSOPADEC to expand its impact and deliver more life-changing projects.
He assured stakeholders that the Commission has put in place multiple channels for effective project monitoring.
The event was attended by royal fathers, members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, top government officials, students, and community stakeholders, who all commended OSOPADEC for sustaining the scholarship and bursary programme as a key driver of education and youth development in the oil-producing communities.
