By Oluwatope Lawanson
The Executive Chairman, Ikosi Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, Mrs Samiat Bada, has gifted 250 General Certificate of Education (GCE) forms to indigent students in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was held at the council’s secretariat on Monday in Lagos.
NAN reports that out of the 250 indigent students, 50 forms were given out to Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs).
Bada said the gesture was aimed at boosting and sustaining education in the council area by raising resourceful youths.
The council boss said that her administration was committed to the welfare of the people.
She added that the act would help the students achieve their academic goals while reducing the cost on their parents.
Bada assured that education would continue to be her top priority, hence the distribution of the 2023 GCE forms.
According to her, no amount of money expended in education can ever be enough.
“l believe education is the best legacy that we can give to all at every given time, which anyone that is offered will live not to regret.”
Bada said that free Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms would also be given to indigent students who passed the GCE exam without going through any form of screening.
She, however, advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the gesture, reiterating that education was the best legacy.
Bada urged the students to justify the huge amount of public funds expended in procuring the forms by ensuring that they prepared very well for the exam.
“I encourage you to continue to strive to get better education and be good ambassadors.
“I implore you to refrain from all forms of examination malpractice, l wish you the best and l pray you shall all be successful,” Bada said.
In his remark, Mr Dayo Ogunleye, Head of Department, Education, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, said the aim of giving out the free forms was to give succour to indigent parents due to the economic challenges in the country.
“It also explains the commitment and investment of our Mayoress in education while ensuring that our youths are academically and morally sound.
“This is a laudable gesture which she began since her inception in 2021 and she has not relented thus far.
“I, therefore, commend her because she is ever-ready to support the teeming youths when it comes to education.,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Olutayo Victor, said the free form he received had given him a chance to sit for the examination.
Victor added that his parents could not afford the money for the form.
He lauded the chairman for her kindness, and promised to study hard and excel in the examination in order to make her proud.
NAN reports that in attendance at the event were the Deputy Chairman, Mr Olayinka Ogunleye, Council Manager, Mrs Bola Adeyemi and HOD Education, Mr Dayo Ogunleye, among others. NAN
