By Dipo Olowookere

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the payment of bursary and local scholarship to Lagos State indigenes in tertiary institutions across the country.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, who made the announcement to journalists on Monday, said the bursary would be for fresh beneficiaries and others receiving subsequent payment.

He listed the beneficiaries to include 2015/2016 set and other sets receiving second and third payments for the years 2013/2014 and 2014/2015.

While stressing the commitment of the State Government to sustain the scholarship and bursary scheme in spite of the economic situation of the country, Mr Bank-Olemoh said the Governor is committed to ensuring Lagosians are empowered through education to contribute productively to the local and global economies.

He further said that "the timely release of the awards demonstrates the priority the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode accords to educating its citizens".

Giving a breakdown of the payment, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mr Steven Oshinowo, explained that the State Government would disburse N250.5 million to 6,368 beneficiaries as Bursary Award.

He also disclosed that N130.1 million in Local Scholarships will be disbursed to 573 successful candidates who took part in the 2015/2016 Local Scholarship Computer Based Screening test.

These sums, according to him, would accommodate the backlog of outstanding bursary and scholarship payments, as well as current awards for fresh and subsequent beneficiaries.

The Executive Secretary urged the beneficiaries to exercise patience as disbursement of the funds will commence in three weeks, at which time beneficiaries would be invited to present relevant documentation to receive their bursary or scholarship awards.

It will be recalled that earlier this year, over 689 bursary beneficiaries of 2011/2012 set, were paid along with 60 students from the School of the Blind and 54 others on Sport Scholarship.

In 2015, the State government also paid N660 million to over 8,567 indigent beneficiaries for bursary, local and foreign Scholarships.

Since its establishment in 1968, the Lagos State Scholarship Board as an agency responsible for the administration of bursary and scholarship awards in the State, has been consistent in carrying out its duties and is poised to continue.

http://www.businesspost.ng/2016/10/17/ambode-okays-n380m-bursary/

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