Outstanding students in Ogun State’s recently concluded Senior School Certificate Examination have been rewarded with cash gifts and laptops at an educational empowerment programme organised by Senator Shuaibu Salisu.
The beneficiaries, John Ogunlade of Ansar-deen Grammar School, Ishaga Orile, and Kaosarat Busari of Oluke Community High School, received the awards on Wednesday during Salisu’s annual education support programme held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
A physically challenged secondary school student was also presented with a laptop at the event.
The programme featured a debate competition involving secondary schools across Ogun Central Senatorial District. Oke-Ona Grammar School, Abeokuta, emerged winner and received a cash prize of N200,000.
Ebenezer Grammar School placed second and received N150,000, while United Comprehensive High School, Wasimi, came third and received N50,000. Comprehensive High School, Ifo, and Lafenwa High School also received N50,000 each.
Beyond the awards, more than 1,000 students benefited from the distribution of educational materials, including school bags, exercise books, laptops, JAMB past questions and mathematical sets.
Speaking at the event, Salisu said the initiative was designed to support students in their academic pursuits while easing some of the financial burden on parents.
He explained that his continued investment in educational infrastructure, including ICT centres and science laboratories, was driven by his belief that education remains one of the most effective tools for empowering young people and transforming lives.
According to him, several schools across Ogun Central have already benefited from ICT facilities, science laboratories and other education-related projects facilitated through his interventions.
The senator encouraged students to maximise the opportunities provided and use education as a pathway to creating positive change in their communities.
“I am hoping that 20 or 30 years down the line, some of you will be able to tell the story of how these educational materials inspired you to become a senator and to become a light that will lift your family out of poverty,” he said.
Salisu added that true empowerment goes beyond distributing materials or constructing facilities, stressing that the ultimate goal is to raise young people capable of transforming their families and contributing meaningfully to society.
Also speaking, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, praised the initiative, describing it as an investment in the future of the beneficiaries.
He urged the students to make effective use of the materials and remain committed to their studies.
Arigbabu noted that the intervention complements the state government’s efforts to strengthen education and provide young people with opportunities to succeed.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.