Abuja: A Lagos State lawmaker, Mr. Adewale Adedeji, emphasizes the transformative power of education as he distributes 400 free General Certificate of Education (GCE) forms to students in the Ifako-Ijaiye council area. Adedeji, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly and serves as the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Transportation, announced the initiative as part of his ongoing efforts to foster educational development among youths and adults in the region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adedeji reaffirmed his dedication to enhancing access to quality education and improving literacy rates within the local government area. The initiative, themed ‘Building Unmatched Generation’, is designed to support educational aspirations and is now in its seventh edition. The lawmaker aims to make Ifako-Ijaiye the most educated local government area in Nigeria by 2037, with a broader national goal of achieving a 100 percent literacy rate by 2031.
The beneficiaries of the free GCE forms will also qualify for free Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination forms, further facilitating their pursuit of higher education. Adedeji highlighted the importance of the programme in alleviating the financial burden on parents and preparing students to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He praised President Bola Tinubu for the NELFUND initiative, emphasizing its potential to ease financial pressures on families once students gain university admission.
The programme also extends to adult learners, providing them with opportunities to further their education. To date, 2,500 individuals have benefited since its inception, with a steady increase in the number of forms distributed each year. Adedeji noted that past beneficiaries are excelling in universities, with some maintaining first-class grades and benefiting from ongoing scholarships.
In addition to the educational support, Adedeji expressed optimism about the future of youths in the constituency, commending the involvement of parents in encouraging their children’s educational pursuits. During the event, Mrs. Kofoworola Ajayi, the All Progressives Congress Chairman in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, urged beneficiaries to excel in their examinations as a way to reciprocate the lawmaker’s gesture.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Adeyinka Akilla, expressed gratitude for the initiative, stating, “Once you give people education, you are giving them life because education is the best legacy.” She encouraged her peers to strive for excellence and contribute positively to society in the future.