The Ogun State Government has concluded arrangements to give out Annual Scholarship Award to 10,000 learners from primary education to tertiary level, so as to make education affordable and reduce out-of-school children.

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, made this known at Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta, during the 2nd Term Pre-resumption Stakeholders’ Meeting with Principals, Head-teachers, Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Association of Primary School Teachers (AOPSTON), All Nigerian Confederation Of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and security agencies.

Prof. Arigbabu, in a statement made available to journalists by Mr. Samuel Ogungbesan, Press Officer, MOES&T, explained that the Scholarship would be based on merit for indigent students, serve as a relief to parents and create an avenue for effective learning, adding that it was an opportunity for learners to benefit from the present administration’s free education policy and its commitment at rejigging the system.

He disclosed that the Ministry had put mechanisms in place to ensure adequate security of lives and property, as well as provision of 25,000 furniture to schools, promising that more would be distributed to secondary and primary schools across the state, to sustain qualitative, accessible and affordable education for the citizenry.

The Commissioner further hinted that the government would soon hold an Education Summit, with the aim of proffering solutions to challenges confronting the education sector, launching of Education Trust Fund and digital lesson notes, among others.

“As we go into the new session, let us be more dedicated, show leadership by good example and complement the government’s efforts by doing your bit,” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye, appreciated the effort, support and cooperation of all education stakeholders, saying the meeting was to charge and re-strategise towards resumption, to achieve desired result.

Speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Rtd. AIG, Olusola Subaru, encouraged parents and teachers to ensure proper monitoring and guidance of their wards to prevent them from engaging in nefarious activities that could become burdensome to the parent and society at large, pledging that security agencies in the state would continue to ensure that schools, teachers and learners were secured.

In their separate goodwill messages, representatives of Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and So-safe Corps, DCP Sagir Ismail; DCC Amos Ajayi, Mr. Ekundayo Williams and ACC Maroof Yusuf, respectively, commended the seamless effort of the present administration in facilitating adequate machineries to secure lives and property of the citizenry, saying it is everybody’s business, just as parents, teachers and learners should think security first, be optimistic, vigilant, proactive and not hesitate to report any security issues to appropriate quarters.

Responding, Chairmen, AOPSHON, ASSUS and SUBEB, Mr. Dauda Sanusi, Dr. Oluwaseun Agbesanwa and Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, respectively, appreciated Governor Abiodun for putting workers’ welfare in the front burner, especially the recent End of Year Bonus for Civil Servants, pledging their continuous support and cooperation with the government to further develop the education sector.