71 First Class Graduates Get Scholarships in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has announced plans to award scholarship to 71 Kwara indigenes that bagged first class from various universities in the country in the 2015/2016 academic session. The scholarship according to him is to enable them pursue their masters degrees.

The Project Manager of the Saraki Empowerment and Employment Centre (SEEC), Ilorin, Mr. Adeyinka Adekeye, who disclosed this during a news conference in Ilorin, said “the affected graduates are from Universities of Lagos, Ilorin, Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University; Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University, Minna; Kwara State University, Malete; Covenant, Bowen and Afe Babalola University, among others.

Adekeye, who gave the breakdown of the total figure, said Ilorin West Local Government Area (LGA) produced 18 first class graduates in the just concluded academic session.

“This is followed by Ifelodun, 12; Irepodun, nine; Offa, seven; Ilorin East and Isin, five each; Ekiti, Asa and Oyun, three each; Moro, two; Baruten, Edu, Ilorin South, Oke-Ero with one first class graduate each.
“Still on facts and figures on the session under review, Kwara produced 11 first class graduates in mathematics, followed by six in Economics; five in Biochemistry; four in Civil Engineering; three in Computer Science, Statistics, Microbiology, etc.”

The project manager, who said the feat is worth celebrating, said Saraki’s gesture is aimed at celebrating the scholars for their outstanding performance and for being true ambassadors of the state.
He said the senate president hosted the scholars and their parents to a grand dinner on December 18 in Ilorin, where he awarded scholarship to each of them in appreciation of their extraordinary performances and as a further demonstration of his belief that the pursuit of excellence is the hallmark of human capital development.

He added that the scholars attended a mentoring session on December 19, where they inspired select students of public and private schools across the state with their stories of exceptional performances.

Adekeye said the rationale behind Saraki’s gesture was not only to encourage the pursuit of excellence, but also to inspire future generations of indigenes of Kwara state to greatness.

Also speaking, the Project Consultant, Mr. Nasir Abdulkadri, said subsequent editions of the programme would recognise those who have distinguished themselves in informal vocations, religion and other tertiary institutions.

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