For the fourth time in four consecutive years, the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative has supported over 200 undergraduates of various higher institutions of learning in Ikorodu Division.
The Initiative is in line with the body’s SHEER community development agenda under the “E” acronym, which stands for education.
In his welcome address, Executive Secretary of the IDPIL, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, stressed that the annual scholarship and bursary award were aimed at contributing to academic excellence among the youths.
‘We have identified Education as a tool for the emancipation and empowerment of the teeming Ikorodu Division youths, hence the humongous investment of the IDPIL, towards supporting the development of our youths, and by extension our entire communities’.
‘We have demonstrated this through the sustenance of this scholarship and bursary award, which started in 2022. Till date, we have invested over N100 Million Naira in the scheme’, he added.
Abiru also used the opportunity to render an account of IDPIL’s stewardship to the royal fathers and stakeholders in attendance.
He listed the ongoing construction of a Renal Centre, two royal palaces, installation of street light and donation of operational vehicles to Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and General Hospital, Imota as some of the score cards of the body.
Giving an update on the 2025 Scholarship, Chairman of the IDPIL Scholarship and Bursary Committee, Hon. (Chief) Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola noted that past beneficiaries of the initiative were making their parents and Ikorodu Division proud.
‘Over the years, many students – indigenes and non-indigenes alike, have benefited from this initiative. We are encouraged to see that past recipients have continued to excel in their studies and are making their families and our community proud.
She, however, counseled the recipients to get education beyond pure academics, berating some of them for not acquainting themselves with basic current affairs and news around them.
She equally advised parents to instill discipline and guidance values in their children, stressing that education was incomplete without character.
The Ranodu of Imota, Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Agoro and Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali who graced the event as Royal Fathers of the Day were unanimous in pouring encomiums on the Chairman of IDPIL BOT, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN for his passionate support for the education of Ikorodu Division youths.
The royal fathers also charged the beneficiaries to emulate the generosity of Odofin Ogunsanya by ensuring that they give back to the community when they grow up.
Chairman of the occasion and former Lagos State Head Office Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, in his remarks, commended Odofin Ogunsanya and the IDPIL for the laudable initiative.
He likened Odofin Adewunmi’s gesture to a fulfillment of one of the Biblical admonitions to love your neighbor as yourself.
The event also featured a special spoken word presentation by fast-rising wordsmith and multi-talented creative, Omo’ba Isaac Peju-Akinyemi.
The event climaxed with the symbolic presentation of cheques to some of the beneficiaries, while others were immediately credited with their financial support.
