A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Pioneer Movement, Iseyin (PMI), has disbursed scholarships worth N3.9 million to 68 students in the town.
According to the president of the organisation, Mr Kayode Adelere, the initiative is to support deserving students in their educational pursuits, alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with tuition and other academic expenses.
The students received N50,000, N100,000, and N135,000 sewing machines, among others, depending on the category.
Adelere said the support is crucial in promoting access to education and encouraging academic excellence among students.
Speaking further, the president said PMI was formed about 40 years ago by undergraduate students who had a burning desire for educational development in Iseyin and the need to liberate their people from the shackles of ignorance and poverty through education.
He disclosed that over the years, the program has become a reference point in educational development in Iseyin, Oke-Ogun, and Oyo State in general.
“Pioneer Movement, Iseyin is a social-educational development association whose members are of various professions from Iseyin and its environs. Through its activities, the organisation has championed the cause of the development of the Iseyin community through diverse socio-educational programs.
“For about four decades, we have consistently provided scholarship awards to indigent but brilliant students of the Iseyin community in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
“We have donated books to libraries, made supplies to health centres, and organised football competitions with the objective of channelling the energy of the youths in the community towards positive causes,” the president said.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Facilitating accelerated development through Local Government autonomy’ Adelere said the lecture was part of the organisation’s efforts in contributing to national development by engaging in discussions on pressing national issues and proffering logical solutions.
“This theme was informed by the need to position our community for the advantages that the current autonomy of the local government—recently decided by the Supreme Court—offers.
“It aims to create awareness about what local government leaders should do differently and how citizens should engage to bring about accelerated development for our community,” Adelere said.
In his remarks, Honourable Rasaq Fadiran promised that his administration was in love with the activities of PMI, just as he assured that he would identify with the association in its activities.
In his lecture, a professor from the Department of Adult Education, University of Ibadan, Professor Kehinde Kester, said achieving the perfect balance of power and autonomy among the three levels of government can be challenging and may require ongoing negotiations and adjustments, saying a summary of the autonomy of each level of government in a true federation.
“In a true federation, each level of government has significant autonomy and decision-making power, with clear boundaries and limitations to ensure accountability and prevent encroachment on the powers of other levels. This division of power promotes regional diversity, innovation, accountability, and transparency.”
In his remarks, the Aseyin of Iseyin land, HRM Oba Sefiu Olawale Oyebola Adeyeri III, charged students and beneficiaries of the award to remain focused and be good ambassadors of their parents and the community at large.
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