…OSOPADEC pledges faster future payments
The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has released N286.7 million in bursaries and scholarships to 4,873 students from oil-producing communities across the state.
At the ceremony on Tuesday, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, who represented the state government, explained that the award covered the 2023/2024 academic year and was reserved for indigenous students of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas.
She described the initiative as part of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s determination to make education accessible, stressing that no child should be denied the opportunity to learn because of financial barriers.
“This reflects this administration’s commitment to ensure that no child is excluded from the pursuit of education, thereby nurturing a society where every individual can achieve their full potential,” she said.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa recalled that more than 5,000 students benefited in 2022/2023, pointing out that the intervention had brought real relief to families across the mandate areas. She also commended the governor’s OUR EASE Policy Thrust, which places welfare, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment at the centre of government programmes.
The Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Olabiyi Poroye, described the 2023/2024 cycle as the quickest approval and release since the bursary and scholarship scheme was introduced. He gave assurance that the 2024/2025 payments would be made promptly.
“The programme is a clear demonstration of the commission’s resolve to support young people in chasing their dreams without the weight of financial constraints,” Poroye said.
He noted that OSOPADEC had broadened its responsibilities to include school renovations, textbook supply, teacher training, and wider human development initiatives. Poroye, however, appealed to the state government to raise the commission’s allocation from 40 per cent to 55 per cent of the 13 per cent oil derivation fund, so as to meet increasing demands.
Mrs Aiyedatiwa advised beneficiaries to make responsible use of the bursary and remain good representatives of the state in their academic journeys.
Stakeholders at the event said the bursary disbursement reaffirmed the government’s determination to invest in oil-bearing communities while placing education and human capital development at the forefront of its priorities.
