*Photo L-R: Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola at the event*
Former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, alongside several top government functionaries and traditional rulers, on Sunday graced the presentation ceremony of the 3rd edition of the Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) Scholarship and Bursary Award Scheme.
*Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR addressing the gathering*
The high-profile event, which took place at the H3 Event Centre in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, saw the disbursement of educational grants to thousands of indigent but brilliant students across tertiary institutions nationwide.
The ceremony brought together political heavyweights, community leaders, and academic administrators, signaling a unified endorsement of grassroots educational interventions.
Ambassador Sarafa Isola, who recently collapsed his extensive political structures into the Yayi 2027 project, led the pack of eminent personalities present.
Other notable dignitaries at the event included:
*Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), FCA, CON (Host and Benefactor)
Prof. Tope Popoola, Chairman of the Yayi Scholarship Board
*Ajiroba Dapo Oke, Board Secretary
Senior officials from public universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Speaking at the event, the dignitaries praised Senator Adeola’s consistent track record in human capital development. Ambassador Isola lauded the initiative, describing education as the most critical leveler and tool for social mobility, while urging beneficiaries to make the most of the financial buffer to achieve academic excellence.
A total of 5,312 students successfully cleared the screening process out of more than 12,000 initial applicants to receive their cheques at the Abeokuta presentation. The selection board maintained an strictly transparent evaluation process, weeding out individuals who submitted forged documents or violated residency guidelines.
The bursary distribution split across the state’s geopolitical zones highlighted an inclusive outreach approach:
• Ogun West Senatorial District: 2,026 candidates
• Ogun Central: 946 candidates
• Ogun East: 734 candidates
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Addressing the packed audience, Senator Adeola emphasized that his motivation stems from his personal journey, acknowledging that he wouldn’t have reached the National Assembly without the transformative power of a solid education. He further noted that the Yayi Scholarship scheme directly supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative for higher education.
He explained that out of the 5,312 beneficiaries, 1,735 students received scholarships valued at N200,000 each for university students and N150,000 each for students of polytechnics and colleges of education, while the remaining 3,577 beneficiaries received bursary awards of N100,000 each.
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With the conclusion of this third phase, the cumulative number of students sponsored or supported by the lawmaker has officially bypassed the 10,000 mark over the last three years. Board Chairman Prof. Tope Popoola assured attendees that plans are already underway to expand the scope, with the eventual goal of morphing the scheme into a comprehensive, state-wide sustainable foundation.