By Peter Dansu The Olorunda Local Council Development Area LCDA has inaugurated the 2026 Bursary Award Committee as the administration of t...
By Peter Dansu
The Olorunda Local Council Development Area LCDA has inaugurated the 2026 Bursary Award Committee as the administration of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting students and easing the financial burden of tertiary education on families across the council.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the Council Chamber in Iworo, brought together members of the newly constituted committee alongside relevant stakeholders in education and administration.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Head of the Education Department, Mrs. Idowu Bunmi Mausi Onasile, said the initiative was driven by the administration’s belief that education remains a critical pillar of human capital development.
She noted that Hon. Ajose had consistently demonstrated his commitment to supporting students from Olorunda LCDA through the annual bursary programme, which is designed to provide financial relief to parents and guardians while encouraging students to pursue their academic ambitions.
According to her, the 2026 Bursary Award Committee is the first of its kind under the present administration and has been mandated to develop clear and credible criteria for identifying deserving beneficiaries.
She added that the committee would also establish appropriate Terms of Reference to guide its operations and ensure that the entire process meets the required standards of transparency, accountability and fairness.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon, explained that the gathering was convened to formally inaugurate the committee responsible for selecting beneficiaries for the 2026 Olorunda LCDA Bursary Award.
While acknowledging that previous administrations had also operated bursary programmes, Ajose said his administration was determined to make the 2026 edition different in its content, coverage and selection process.
He disclosed that the scope of the programme would be broadened to accommodate sons and daughters of Olorunda LCDA currently pursuing tertiary education in institutions across Nigeria.
The Chairman said the initiative would cover both undergraduate and postgraduate students, stressing that the decision was informed by the increasing financial pressure facing families and the rising cost of tertiary education.
Ajose acknowledged that the available bursary allocation might not be enough to address every educational and personal need of beneficiaries, but expressed confidence that the committee would develop a realistic framework that would ensure available resources were distributed judiciously among deserving students.
He charged members of the committee to make the welfare and academic progress of students their foremost consideration and warned against bias, favouritism, sentiment or political considerations in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Chairman further assured the committee that its selection process would be allowed to operate independently, declaring that no individual would be permitted to interfere with its proceedings or influence its decisions.
“Our concern is the students, and the process must be transparent, objective and free from sentiment,” Ajose said.
He expressed confidence in the calibre and professional standing of the committee members, noting that their diverse backgrounds and experience would provide the knowledge and objectivity required to deliver on the assignment.
Ajose also assured residents that the bursary programme would not be a one off intervention, but would be sustained throughout the lifespan of his administration.
He described the assignment as a collective responsibility and urged members to approach every application with an open mind, ensuring that all decisions were guided by fairness, justice and the overall interest of students in Olorunda LCDA.
The newly inaugurated committee is chaired by Hon. Solomon Adele Bolaji, Vice Chairman and Supervisor for Environment, while Hon. Afeez Bankole, Supervisor for Education, serves as Vice Chairman.
Other members are Dr. Rotimi Odu, Alhaja Adebayo Modinat Abike Bolaji, Chief Dr. Kehinde Oseni Idowu, Hon. Nurudeen Oladele Mojeed and Dr. Fowowe S. S.
Mrs. Idowu Bunmi Mausi Onasile serves as Secretary.
Subsequently, the Executive Chairman formally presented letters of appointment to members of the committee, marking the official commencement of their assignment to serve the educational interests of students and residents of Olorunda LCDA.
Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Hon. Solomon Adele Bolaji, appreciated Ajose for the confidence reposed in the members through their appointment.
Bolaji, who also serves on the Bursary Committee at the Lagos State level, commended the initiative and assured the Chairman that the committee would deploy its collective experience, knowledge and professionalism to the assignment.
He pledged that justice, fairness and transparency would remain the guiding principles of the selection process.
Also speaking, Mrs. Onasile expressed appreciation to the Chairman for giving her the opportunity to serve on the committee, describing the appointment as an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of education in Olorunda LCDA.
The Supervisor for Education, Hon. Afeez Bankole, equally commended the inauguration of the committee and assured that members would work diligently to achieve the objectives of the bursary programme.
Bankole stressed that the committee would not be self centred in its approach, but would place the interests, welfare and educational aspirations of students from Olorunda LCDA at the centre of its deliberations.
With the inauguration, the Ajose administration is positioning the 2026 bursary programme as a broader and more structured intervention aimed at ensuring that deserving students across Olorunda LCDA receive meaningful educational support, irrespective of political affiliation or personal connections.
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