5 Students, 3 Artisans Benefit From Efon Alaaye Development League Scholarships
Fortune has smiled on five students and three artisans through the Efon Alaaye Development League, Lagos branch, which gave them scholarship and equipment worth over N2million.
The beneficiaries of the academic scholarship got N50,000 each, renewable yearly as long as they maintain at least a second upper grade, while the three recipients of the vocational scholarship were given tools of their trade. Two photographers got cameras, generators, studio flash light and wait-and-get printer worth N300,000 each; while a barber got clippers, generator, sterilizer. The league has also rented shops for them in Efon Alaaye to carry out their trade.
Apart from being indigenes of Efon Alaaye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, the recipients took both written and oral tests, for the academic scholarship. The artisans on the other hand, had to do a practical demonstration of their skills to get the vocational scholarship.
The eight were the lucky ones among about 60 applicants that applied for the scholarship. However, though the association planned to select 10 academic scholars, Chairman of the association, Mr Emmanuel Ajewole, said only five could prove they had gained admission into the institution and passed the tests.
He said the initiative was the first of its kind by a township association in the state, adding that through the scholarship, the group has taken action to solve some of the problems plaguing the society.
“It is very easy to sit up, take notice and criticise. What is difficult is standing up and taking action. Today, the Lagos League of Efon Alaaye is standing up and setting in motion with over N2 million the mechanism and machinery to sponsor the award on an annual basis with a view to promoting and supporting worthy Efon Alaaye Youths in their tertiary education, vocational training and self employment,” he said.
Secretary of the scholarship committee, Mr Ope Makanjuola, said the artisans would be accountable to the association for the first two years of running their businesses and within that period run the risk of losing the equipment and shop if they cannot stay afloat.
“For the first two years they are accountable to us. The equipment and the shop belong to Efon Alaaye Lagos Branch. If they perform well after the period, they claim full ownership,” he said.
One of the recipients, Samson Adande, who is studying Computer Science and Mathematics at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, said the scholarship was a relief.
“This will help me in so many ways. The amount is more than my school fees. The remaining will be useful for funding other projects in school, said the 17-year old.
