Adeleke Hails ₦300 Million Education Intervention in Osun as Rep. Bamidele Salam Empowers Students and Teachers

Osun State witnessed a landmark moment in its educational development on Tuesday, as over ₦300 million worth of bursaries, learning materials, and institutional grants were distributed to students, teachers, and academic bodies across the Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency.

The initiative, led by Rep. Bamidele Salam, Member of the House of Representatives, was officially launched at a vibrant event held at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ede.

The programme received widespread acclaim, especially from the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, who described the intervention as a timely and commendable effort that directly addresses the educational needs of young people and educators across the constituency.

Governor Adeleke expressed his appreciation for the initiative, noting that it complements his administration’s ongoing investments in school infrastructure, teacher support, and curriculum development.

He emphasized that while the government is doing its part, efforts like this one are vital in amplifying the impact and delivering meaningful change at the grassroots level.

According to Governor Adeleke, 1,500 tertiary students benefited from bursaries of ₦100,000 each, which has significantly reduced the financial burden on families and allowed many students to remain in school.

He also announced that over 3,000 primary and secondary school pupils received essential educational materials, including textbooks, notebooks, and school bags, resources which he believes will enhance classroom readiness and improve academic performance.

Governor Adeleke commended the inclusion of financial support to student bodies and professional associations, revealing that ₦5 million was disbursed to each of the four local governments in the constituency.

The beneficiaries included the Federation of Ede Land Students Union (FELSU) received N10 million, the Federation of Egbedore Local Government Students Association (FELGSA) received N5 million, the Ejigbo Local Government Students Association (ELGASA) received N5 million, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) received N5 million each per local government.

Speaking further, the Governor reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in strengthening the state’s education system, stating that true leadership lies in investing in people, particularly the youth.

“Education is the most powerful investment any society can make.

“Our administration is committed to supporting education at all levels, but government cannot do this alone. That is why we value efforts like this. True leadership is finding ways to invest in people, especially the young,” he declared.

In his own remarks, Representative Bamidele Salam, the convener of the programme, said the intervention was driven by his deep concern for students who are struggling to access education due to financial constraints.

He expressed his belief that education is the foundation of development and emphasized that poverty should never be a barrier to learning.

“Our children deserve the best.

“This effort is a commitment to ensuring that no child is denied education because of poverty. We are investing in students, in their dreams, and in the future of this constituency,” he said.

Rep. Salam revealed that the entire programme was made possible through capital allocations from his 2025 federal budget.

He explained that part of the funds earmarked for constituency projects were specifically redirected to support students and teachers.

“Because of the current situation of things, we discovered that most of our students are passing through very difficult times,” he said.

He further noted that, although something as small as a school bag might seem insignificant, its impact in rural communities cannot be overstated.

“A school bag is very small, but if you go to rural communities, you will understand its importance. There are pupils who go to school with sac bags.

“This is from the capital allocation I have from the 2025 budget from the Federal Government, and I’m so glad we are able to deliver this.”

According to Salam, the bursary covered no fewer than 1,500 students, while about 3,000 students received school bags and other learning materials, making the total number of direct beneficiaries between 3,000 and 4,000.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Akintayo Jimoh, also addressed the gathering and reiterated the programme’s goal of supporting parents who are currently facing economic hardship.

He emphasized that the bursaries and grants were designed to ease this burden and ensure that education remains accessible despite the tough times.

He confirmed that bursaries would be disbursed to over 1,500 students, with grants allocated to the Nigeria Union of Teachers and various student associations.

Jimoh proudly disclosed that the initiative was sponsored by the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna.

Representing the Director General of the National Teachers’ Institute, Professor Sa’adiyya Sani Daura, a staff member of the Institute, Mr. Aminu Musa, conveyed the Institute’s full support for the programme.

He said NTI was proud to coordinate the intervention and would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to provide Nigerian teachers with the necessary training and resources.

“We at the National Teachers’ Institute are pleased to coordinate this programme. We assure you that we will continue to partner to provide Nigeria’s teachers with the necessary skills needed to improve their job and performance, in accordance with our mandate in teaching and learning,” he stated.

He also commended Rep. Bamidele Salam for making teaching and learning a priority, reiterating that no nation can rise above the standard of its education system.

The programme attracted enthusiastic responses from community leaders, educators, and students. Traditional rulers who praised the initiative, describing it as a clear example of what effective representation should look like.

They stressed that grassroots-focused programmes like this are vital in reducing inequality and promoting inclusive development.

Educators also voiced their appreciation, described the programme as “timely and impactful,” noting that the provision of learning materials would significantly boost student morale and enhance engagement in classrooms.

Student beneficiaries shared touching testimonials about how the intervention had transformed their academic experience.

Babalola Aliyat spoke passionately about the daily struggles faced by many students.

“Some of us are facing difficulty with writing materials. Some find it hard to come to school because of money. Some are using sac bags to carry their books, and some don’t even have books to write.

“I appreciate this Representative and I’m so glad to be here. The sky is his starting point,” she said.

Another student, Solomon Dabira, also expressed his gratitude, stating, “We really appreciate him for what he has done. He just built us a school, and now he’s giving us necessary materials again. We appreciate him for his love towards us.”

In closing, Governor Adeleke called for sustained collaboration among all stakeholders, governments, lawmakers, educators, parents, and communities towards building a resilient and inclusive education system in Osun State.

“Together, we can raise a generation that will lead our state and our nation to greater heights,” he said.