Outstanding students in the recently concluded Senior School Certificate Examination in Ogun State have received cash prizes and laptops in recognition of their academic performance.
The awards were presented by the senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Shuaibu Salisu, during his annual educational empowerment programme.
The event was held on Wednesday at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, Abeokuta, and brought together students, teachers, education officials and representatives of participating schools.
Outstanding SSCE Students Rewarded
Among the students honoured were John Ogunlade of Ansar-deen Grammar School, Ishaga Orile, and Kaosarat Busari of Oluke Community High School.
The two students were recognised for their impressive performances in the recently completed Senior School Certificate Examination and received cash rewards and laptops.
A secondary school student with a physical disability was also presented with a laptop during the programme.
The gesture formed part of the senator’s efforts to encourage academic excellence and improve students’ access to digital learning resources.
Schools Compete in Debate Contest
The educational programme also featured an interschool debate competition, with participating schools competing for cash prizes.
Oke-Ona Grammar School, Abeokuta, emerged as the overall winner and received ₦200,000.
Ebenezer Grammar School secured second position and was awarded ₦150,000, while United Comprehensive High School, Wasimi, finished third and received ₦50,000.
Comprehensive High School, Ifo, and Lafenwa High School were also given ₦50,000 each for their participation in the competition.
The debate provided students with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, confidence, research abilities and public-speaking skills.
Over 1,000 Students Receive Learning Materials
Apart from the individual awards and debate prizes, Salisu distributed educational materials to more than 1,000 students across Ogun Central.
The items included school bags, exercise books, laptops, mathematical sets and past questions for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
According to the senator, the intervention was designed to support the academic development of the beneficiaries while reducing the financial burden on their parents and guardians.
He explained that providing students with essential learning materials would enable them to concentrate better on their studies and prepare more effectively for examinations.
Senator Promotes Digital Education
Salisu said the programme was part of his broader commitment to promoting Information and Communication Technology knowledge among young people in the senatorial district.
He noted that his investments in ICT centres, science laboratories and other educational facilities were motivated by his belief that education remained one of the most effective ways of empowering young people and improving the economic prospects of families.
Several schools within Ogun Central have benefited from ICT facilities, science laboratories and other educational projects facilitated through the senator’s office.
Salisu encouraged the students to make proper use of the opportunities and resources provided to them.
He expressed hope that the intervention would inspire some of the beneficiaries to become successful professionals, political leaders and positive influences within their communities in the years ahead.
The senator told the students that they could eventually look back on the programme as one of the experiences that motivated them to pursue their ambitions and help their families overcome poverty.
Empowerment Goes Beyond Distributing Materials
Salisu emphasised that meaningful empowerment should not be measured only by the number of materials distributed or facilities constructed.
According to him, the success of such initiatives would ultimately be determined by their ability to produce students who could improve the lives of their families and contribute positively to their communities.
He urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their education and develop themselves into agents of progress.
The senator added that investments in education could create long-term benefits when recipients used the opportunities to acquire knowledge, build valuable skills and support others.
Ogun Commissioner Commends Initiative
Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, praised Salisu for supporting students and schools in the state.
Arigbabu described the distribution of learning materials and recognition of outstanding students as an important investment in the future of the beneficiaries.
He advised the students to use the materials responsibly and remain committed to their studies.
The commissioner said strong academic performance and responsible use of the resources would demonstrate that the investment in their education had produced meaningful results.
He also noted that the intervention supported the Ogun State Government’s efforts to give education the attention it deserved as a major driver of human and national development.
The annual programme combined academic recognition, practical assistance and competition to motivate students across Ogun Central and provide them with resources that could strengthen their educational development
