The newly elected leadership of the National Association of Ogun State Students has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to fulfil his promise of a ₦2.5 million cash reward to the late Samuel Orisawayi, the overall best graduating student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, for the 2022/2023 academic session.
Abiodun had reportedly made the pledge during the institution’s convocation about six months ago, but Orisawayi was said to have died suddenly last week without receiving the award.
NAOSS appealed to the governor to redeem the pledge and release the funds to the parents of the deceased to help cushion the impact of the loss.
The newly elected chairman of NAOSS, Oluwafemi Ajayi, popularly known as Castro, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday after the election of new executives of the association at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
Ajayi, while thanking members for the confidence reposed in him, promised that his administration would advocate increased investment in education funding and ensure improved welfare for Ogun State students across the country.
The association also pledged to avoid actions capable of compromising its integrity, particularly its commitment to student welfare.
He said, “It is with a huge sense of responsibility that I take up this leadership position and I pledge to ensure that the interest of the students of Ogun State origin across the country is highly protected.
“NAOSS remains apolitical and never for sale under my watch. We will continue to support government developmental projects and react where necessary in the best interest of Ogun State students nationwide.
“We are also using this medium to passionately appeal to our students’ friendly father and governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun, to remember his promise to late Orisawayi Samuel, aka Samoris, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic best graduating student for the 2022/2023 academic session.
“We beg our loving father, the governor of the state, to ensure that the ₦2.5m is given to the family of late Orisawayi on compassionate grounds.”
Ajayi lauded President Bola Tinubu for what he described as significant strides in education and efforts to address insecurity in the country.
The association also thanked Abiodun for his support for students in the state and urged him to do more to improve their welfare.
Ajayi warned the public and the media to be wary of individuals parading themselves as leaders of the association, describing them as impostors bent on undermining its progress.
The National Association of Ogun State Students plays a key role in advocating improved education policies, funding and welfare for students of Ogun State origin, while promoting academic excellence and representing student interests before government and other stakeholders.