The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), on Tuesday, officially commenced the 2023/2024 scholarship and bursary scheme, with 4,837 indigent students from its mandate areas approved as beneficiaries.
The event, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Oba-Ile, was described as a milestone in the Commission’s commitment to human capital development through education funding and student welfare.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OSOPADEC, Prince Olaleye Olabiyi Poroye, said the programme reaffirmed the Commission’s resolve to empower young people with opportunities to achieve their academic dreams. According to him, “education remained the bedrock of sustainable development and must be supported at all levels.”
Poroye appreciated Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his consistent support, revealing that the Governor had repositioned OSOPADEC to deliver better services through the approval of a record N33.8 billion budget, the highest in the Commission’s history.
He explained that the budget allocation was spread across key sectors such as roads, electricity projects, healthcare, housing development, water supply and education, under the “OUR EASE” Agenda of the Aiyedatiwa administration.
“Since assuming office, I pledged that education will be a central focus of our programmes. Today’s flag-off is proof of that pledge. For this year alone, a total of N286.7 million has been earmarked for disbursement to our students. Last year, over 5,000 benefitted, and we are sustaining that vision,” Poroye stated.
He emphasized that the 2023/2024 bursary approval was carried out with “utmost promptness and transparency,” describing it as the fastest release since the inception of the scheme in 2004. He also assured that the 2024/2025 bursary scheme would be released without delay.
Among the selected beneficiaries are postgraduate students across mandate areas. Those pursuing Master’s degrees include Emaleku God Sent Oluwakemi, Eshafonie Failt Ebaragha, Ammluku Victor Ebikeh, Adepiti Aderemi John, Manuwa Tofunmi Cloria, Osisanya Yanoluwa Damilane, and Samuel Goodwill.
At the doctoral level, beneficiaries include Bare Moye Adeoye Samuel, Ogun Semore Onne Stephen, and Ojo Jeremiah Opemipo. At the Postgraduate Diploma category, Oyenusi Oriade was also recognised for support.
The OSOPADEC chairman further disclosed that only last month, he personally awarded a full scholarship to an indigent student of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
This gesture, he explained, was meant to complement the proposed Student Welfare Scheme of the Commission and further strengthen access to higher education.
Poroye highlighted additional interventions in education, which include classroom renovation, reconstruction of schools, provision of textbooks and furniture, and training of teachers. He said these measures are in line with the Commission’s mandate to boost educational development in the oil-producing areas.
He announced the creation of a new Sports and Tourism Development Department, designed to harness youth talent, promote healthy living, and project the cultural heritage of the mandate communities.
On infrastructure, Poroye revealed that renovation had begun at the Commission’s headquarters, alongside the construction of a new office complex and automation of operations to improve service delivery. He added that the abandoned OSOPADEC Guest House would be reconstructed into a world-class facility, while staff welfare and training would remain a top priority.
To accelerate development and vocational training, the Commission has entered into partnerships with reputable organisations including the Japanese Consulate, Setraco Nigeria Limited, Tage Engineering Resources Limited, Paul-B Nigeria PLC, and WhiteCloud TVET Academy.
According to Poroye, these collaborations will enhance infrastructural transformation, promote skills acquisition, and empower youths and women across oil-producing areas.
The OSOPADEC boss also addressed inherited litigations, noting that the Commission had opened dialogue with its investment arm, Coastville Global Resources Ltd., to resolve long-standing disputes.
In a related development, he announced a partnership with Fidelity Bank Plc through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Fidelity Food Bank, aimed at tackling hunger in the state.
The programme will distribute food packs to the less privileged in collaboration with OSOPADEC. According to Poroye, the distribution is scheduled for Friday, August 22, 2025, as part of efforts to enhance social welfare and community support.