In a continued effort to support educational advancement and ease the financial burden on less privileged students, the Royal Initiative for the Development of Sagamu Community (RIDSCo), in collaboration with Lafarge Africa Plc, on Thursday, 20th October 2022, awarded a total sum of Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦7,500,000) as bursary support to 100 indigent students of Sagamu Local Government Area, Ogun State.
The cheque presentation ceremony took place at the Sagamu Civic Centre, Oba Awolesi Erinwole Road, Sagamu, where the selected beneficiaries—students drawn from various public tertiary institutions across Nigeria—were officially presented with their bursary awards.
Speaking at the event, the Consultant for the 2022 RIDSCo/Lafarge Bursary Awards Scheme, retired Principal Otunba T. O. Saibu, explained that the selection process was highly competitive and transparent. According to him, a total of 312 students initially applied online for the scheme.
He further noted that after a thorough screening process—which involved eliminating double registrations, applicants not in their penultimate academic year, and those not originally from Sagamu Local Government—the number was reduced to 198 eligible candidates who eventually sat for a written examination. The final 100 beneficiaries were selected strictly based on merit and performance in the test.
Otunba Saibu expressed appreciation to RIDSCo and Lafarge Plc for the opportunity to serve as part of the selection process, describing the initiative as impactful and commendable in supporting educational development within the community.
In their reactions, the beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude to RIDSCo and Lafarge Plc for the financial assistance. They pledged to remain committed to their academic pursuits, excel in their studies, and contribute positively to the development of Sagamu Local Government and society at large upon graduation.
The bursary scheme continues to be one of the strategic interventions aimed at promoting education, reducing dropout rates, and empowering youths within Sagamu through sustainable academic support.
