Osun APC gubernatorial candidate fulfills N1 million pledge to LAUTECH’s top graduate

The All Progressives Congress candidate for the upcoming Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, presented a cheque of N1 million to Olugbenga Oladeji, the overall best graduating student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology’s 18th convocation, thereby fulfilling a prior pledge made in recognition of his academic performance.

Oyebamiji handed the cheque to Oladeji in his Osogbo office, where he also pledged additional support for the graduate’s further studies.

The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority called on young people, especially those from modest backgrounds, to stay focused and pursue their goals without fear.

Recalling his own modest origins, Oyebamiji said hard work and dedication had shaped his success, and expressed confidence that Oladeji’s future was bright.

He assured that, if elected governor, education would receive greater attention and that talented but financially disadvantaged students would be given opportunities to achieve their aspirations.

“When young people excel despite difficult conditions, society must encourage and support them. We must build a culture where hard work, excellence, and perseverance are rewarded.

“Youth, especially those from humble backgrounds, must face life with focus and without fear. We appreciate our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for introducing NELFUND.

“Oladeji has shown us that if supported, Nigerian youths will excel. By the grace of God, when elected, we will build on the foundation that the President has laid regarding funding of education and other critical sectors,” Oyebamiji said.

Earlier, Oladeji, accompanied by his mother, Mrs Bisi Oladeji, described the assistance he received from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as life‑changing.

The graduate, a native of Ijimoba community in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State and the son of a clergy member and a farmer, said the intervention enabled him to complete his studies successfully.

His mother thanked Oyebamiji for the support, noting that the family had relied heavily on loans from cooperative societies and financial institutions to fund the education of their three children.

“This support came at the right time. There were moments we did not know how we would pay fees, but we kept trusting God and pushing forward,” she said.

Mrs Oladeji also praised President Bola Tinubu for the Federal Government’s NELFUND initiative, which she said has provided relief to many struggling students.

The PUNCH reported in April that Oyebamiji’s campaign organization had previously announced a N1 million donation to the overall best graduating student of LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Oladepo Caleb Olugbenga.

The donation was made in appreciation of the graduate’s dedication to his studies.

Omowaiye said Oyebamiji was delighted by the student’s academic achievement, noting that the graduate’s testimony on the impact of NELFUND demonstrated that Nigerian youths could overcome barriers with adequate support.

Oladepo graduated with a CGPA of 4.89 out of 5.0, emerging as the overall best graduating student at the university’s 18th convocation ceremony.