GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Saturday, announced various cash gifts and scholarship in support of a student of the state, who won a national science quiz competition.
Speaking at the grand finale of the 22nd convocation ceremonies of the institution, where the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State; Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State and a member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Oladimeji Adebutu, received honourary doctorate degrees, Fayose announced that the student would receive a sum of N2.5million cash gift.
He added that the student, Master Oluwatosin Ogundipe, a student of Shepherd High School, Ado Ekiti, for coming first in Young Best Scientist of the Year competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, will also enjoy N1million annual scholarship until he completes his undergraduate studies.
At the event, Fayose also donated a sum of N1.5 million to the pupil’s school and a sum of N500,000 each to his class and lesson teachers, for doing the state proud in education spheres at the national level and also underscoring the improvement he said had come to education in the state.
He said education remained the best legacy and a thriving industry to every Ekiti man, saying his government would do everything humanly possible to preserve and maintain the status the state has achieved in the sector.
Fayose promised that his government “will continue to pamper our teachers, because when the foundation is strong, then the university level can be taken for granted. Ekiti is a state that can supply 10 professors per family. This underscores the level of priority we place on education and we will not keep our identity as the Fountain of Knowledge and this can only reflect if we take the lead in the sector.”
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the Emir of Kano, represented by a former governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, lauded Governor Ayodele Fayose for “setting Ekiti on a solid rock in the education sector,” saying the governor was “gradually reenacting efforts that will bring back the old glory when the state took the lead in education.”
He also commended Governor Fayose and the Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University , Professor Samuel Oye Bandele for being detribalised in nature and for their vision in making the university a beacon to others in the country.
Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said this in Ado Ekiti while being conferred with honourary degree in finance by Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.
“I have seen the remarkable achievements Fayose is making in Ekiti and
the affection he has for his people. I want to congratulate you. And I want to tell you that the Emir is Kano’s Ambassador in Ekiti varsity and I know that he will be willing to be of help to this university,” he said.
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