By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The joy of 200 Indigent students of Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos knows no bounds, as they were gifted free forms and scratch cards for the 2023 General Certificate of Education (GCE) to enable them sit for the examination.
A statement by the Head, Public Affairs Unit of the Council, Chief Rabiu Hassan, said that the forms were distributed to them by the Chairman of the LCDA, Hon Ramotalai Akinlola-Hassan on Thursday, 10th August, 2023 at the council secretariat.
Addressing the beneficiaries who are mainly youths, selected from the seven wards of the council,Hon Akinlola-Hassan,who was represented at the occasion, by the secretary to the local government , Alhaji Rasak Olojede urged them to take advantage of the opportunity given them by the council and ensure they excel in the examination.
She said ” We have used tax payers’ money to get the GCE forms for you free, because we want you to succeed in life and be useful to yourself, family and the society at large”.
She continued,” It is a thing of joy to inform you that, our administration has made the distribution of free GCE and JAMB forms to indigent students an annual exercise, since 2017, when we began our first tenure in office,and to the glory of God many of our beneficiaries have achieved academic success in their life.”
Hon Akinlola-Hassan stated further that, the distribution of the free GCE forms is a fulfillment of one of her electoral promises to the people of Oriade LCDA, adding that she started giving out free GCE and JAMB forms to indigent students during her time as a member of Lagos State House Of Assembly, representing Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 11.
She appealed to the beneficiaries to justify the huge amount of public fund expended to procure the GCE forms, by ensuring that they prepare very well for the examination and refrain from any form of examination malpractices.
Earlier in her remarks, the Head Of Education and Library Services Department in the council,Mrs Lasisi Afolake commended the council chairman for prioritizing the educational development of youths in Oriade LCDA.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the duo of Suliat Kehinde and Jimoh Toheeb expressed their appreciation to Hon Akinlola-Hassan and assured her that they will work assiduously to come out in flying colours during the examination.
Some of the principal officials of the council who attended the event,are the council manager,Builder Akitoye Semiu Babatunde, the council treasurer, Olugbuyi Babatunde, supervisor for education, Tunde Balogun.Others are, the Human Resources Officer,Mrs Simire Bolanle and other management staff.
