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The Mohamed Lawal Foundation on Sunday presented scholarships to 120 indigent students in Ilorin East local government area of Kwara State to help them and their parents in the pursuit of educational goals.
The foundation floated by the daughter of the late former governor of Kwara State and a serving member in the 10th Kwara House of Assembly, Hon Fatimoh Ariola Lawal , had in 2022 presented scholarship to 110 indigent students at an event held in Oke-Oyi, the headquarters of Ilorin East local government.
The scholarship covered the West African Senior Secondary School (WAEC)fees and three terms fees of senior secondary school (SSS-3) of the various beneficiaries.
In her address at the official presentation of the scholarships to the beneficiaries held at the Alabi Alasa Hall, Idi- Ape, Ilorin , Hajia Arinola Lawal said she was motivated to invest on the education of the indigent to sustain the act of benevolence of her late father.
“The event of today is not an happenstance as the milk of kindness flow in my family. I recall with nostalgia and much happiness how my father, the late governor Mohammed Alabi Lawal, impacted positively on the lives of Kwarans, as governor between 1999- 2003 and as private person even before he became the governor.
“We had learnt the art of benevolence from our father and it’s our resolve not to deviate from this noble cause, but rather build on it.
“Today, my foundation will be giving scholarship to 120 indigent students in Ilorin East to help them and their parents in the pursuit of educational goals. This is an improvement on last year’s figure of 110 beneficiaries.
“We all know that education is the bedrock of development in any society and therefore, no stone must be left unturned in our efforts to get the young ones educated. When the young ones are well educated, it will not be easy for anyone to employ their services for nefarious activities,” she said .
She acknowledged the consistent support of the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq poolfor the women in the state.
‘ As we are all aware 9 out of the 18 commissioners appointed by our ‘ He for She’ governor are women; 50% which is far and above the global 35 % affirmation Act for women representation in government.
“The governor also graciously ensured the election of five women, including my humble self into the State House of Assembly during the 2023 general elections . This is unprecedented in the history of Kwara state”.
State chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Prince Sunday Fagbemi praised the lawmaker for imortalising the name of the late governor whom he described as a giver and kind hearted person.
The representative of Senator Saliu Mustapha, Alh Agboola Saliu Balogun, hailed the lawmaker for priorising the education of the younger generation.
In his goodwill message, a former special adviser on Strategy in the state, Alh Saadu Salahu, praised Hajia Lawal for following the footsteps of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the development of education sector.
One of the beneficiaries of the 2022 scholarships, Aminat Alabelewe thanked the sponsor for making positive impacts on their lives and advised the latest beneficiaries to study hard so that they can pass their examinations at one sitting.
The colourful ceremony was graced by the state secretary of APC, Alh Mustapha Ishowo, commisssioner for Solid Minerals Development,Hon. Abdulqowwiy Olododo, senior special assistant on Religion (Islam), Alh Ibrahim Danmaigoro, a close ally of the governor, Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaaya, Hon. Rasaq Owolabi,and Hon. Mariam Yusuf Aladi, commisioner 1 at the state Fiscal Responsibility Commision, Alh Rasaq Also; and regional editor of LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Alh Abdullahi Olesin.
The Magaji Are, Alh Aremu Zubair and the Baba Isale of Ilorin, Alh Baba Ile- Apa were also present to support their illustrious daughter, whom Baba Isale described as a worth ambassador of the Afonja clan of Ilorin.
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