Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Thursday, approved a full scholarship for a public secondary school student, Oyinbo Precious, to commemorate the 2021 World Children’s Day.
Precious, a Senior Secondary School (SSS 2) student of Naiwar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko, Abeokuta, was given the scholarship for her brilliant citation on the obligations of parents towards their children, at the march past ceremony to celebrate the Children’s Day.
Announcing the scholarship at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, the governor said he listened to the citation of Precious and was impressed by her fluency and courage to face the crowd, hence, his decision to approve a scholarship for her.
Abiodun stated that the scholarship will cover her secondary and tertiary education and directed his Special Adviser on Basic Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, to work out the modalities for the scholarship.
The governor stated that his administration will continue to identify young talents and offer them needed platforms to excel in both academic and vocational studies.
While saying that Children’s Day has become significant not only to children but to the entire nation, he declared that “children deserve to be celebrated every day because they are our future.”
He further stated that “we must therefore sacrifice today for them to have a future to build on.
“Children are the foundation of life; and also future leaders. It is through them that the continuity of the basic core values of our society would be assured, preserved and improved upon. This fact is ascertained by traditional African beliefs and all the major religions of the world. Celebrating this important segment of our population, therefore, is not out of place.
“Children’s Day celebration has evolved over the years. Indeed, this day provides an avenue for the review of the needs and aspirations of our children and an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the cause of the children.
“They (children) are a vulnerable segment of our society and adults whether as parents or guardians, corporate bodies, philanthropic organizations or even government, owe them certain duties and obligations.
“Without mincing words, this celebration also affords us a chance to reiterate our administration’s commitment to critical policies and programmes that will enable our children to optimally realise their creative and productive potentials,” Abiodun stated.