In his effort to recognise academic excellence in his federal constituency, member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, at the Federal House of Representatives Abuja; Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, on Friday, December 22, 2023, hosted first-class graduates at his residence in Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government of Area of Oyo State.
The lawmaker also seized the moment of the luncheon with the first-class graduates to present cheques to the beneficiaries of his scholarship scheme in the constituency, as well as distribution of schoolbags to students who performed well in his free holiday lesson in the constituency.
Congratulating the first-class graduates, the moderator of the reception, Hon. Remi Ayoade, extolled the young scholars that graduating with a first class is no mean feat, thanking Hon. Adepoju for the gesture to celebrate the graduates will go a long way in motivating constituents in the two local government areas to strive for academic excellence.
He stressed that he went through higher institutions and that it is impossible to graduate with a first class by indulging in examination malpractices, saying that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and good behaviour to finish with a first class in any higher institution of learning.
Commending the first-class graduates, the former Vice-chairman of Ibarapa Central, Hon. Sola Fakorede, said Hon. Adepoju’s series of initiatives are the first of their kind, noting that it appears that the Ibarapa region of Oyo State was just created and that all that is currently happening since the election of Hon. Adepoju seemed impossible prior to his election in June this year.
Hon. (Mrs.) Funmilayo Orisadeyi, in her own speech, described the young scholars as the hope of the constituency, urging them to make the very best of the luncheon. The former state lawmaker and Oyo State ex-commissioner expressed the prestige that comes with graduating as the best student in a class of many students, advising the graduates to continue to put their best, which culminated in their academic excellence, into any of their life pursuits.
The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Olanrele Kolawole Salako, popularly known as (Great Mother), remarked that the graduates are his children. He appreciated the efforts that catapulted them into graduating with a first class and thanked Hon. Adepoju for recognising the first-class graduates.
According to the septuagenarian, the younger generation will derive motivation from the never-before-seen various initiatives of Hon. Adepoju, adding that the region has never had it well like this.
Elder Olanrele expressed his joy in Hon. Adepoju for not disappointing him, asking the people of the constituency to forgive and forget those who made the constituency so big for nothing in the past.
He said the reception for the first-class graduates was made possible because Hon. Adepoju is a scholar, a father and a leader who wants the best for his people, urging the younger people in attendance to maintain the standard that Hon. Adepoju is setting should they find themselves in any position of authority in the near future.
He, however, prayed for more strength, wisdom and understanding for the first-class graduates and the lawmaker representing the federal constituency.
Cheering the first-class graduates, the beneficiaries of his scholarship scheme and the best students in his last free holiday lesson, Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju appreciated the students, their parents and the entire constituents in Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North for their unwavering support in the last six months.
The lawmaker commended all the students in the constituency for their commitment to learning, adding that it takes a great deal of dedication to finish first class.
“When I heard about the news of a good number of you graduating with a first class, I was shocked. This is because I know what it takes to graduate with a first class. I never had the opportunity to finish with a first-class, I finished with a 2:1 but I know finishing with a first class is not for the faint-hearted.
“You have made the entire constituency proud, and I am assuring all of you today that you will never regret striving for this impressive academic performance.
“I want to assure you that you are going to be one of my first targets for the myriad of opportunities that come from the federal government, especially fully-funded federal government scholarships to study overseas. I believe that is the best way to encourage our students who are currently in school and who are about to gain admission to take their studies seriously.
The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Federal Character, however, shared his complimentary card with the first-class graduates, saying he would always be part of anything they want to do going forward.
The first graduates, in their appreciative words, thanked the lawmaker for his thoughtfulness in recognising them in such a magnificent manner.
According to some of the young scholars, it would be their first time in history to sit, discuss, wine and dine with their representative since they were born.
As a way to give back to the communities in the constituency, the first-class graduates resolved to assist the lawmaker in any area he wants, such as mentorship for the students in various higher institutions, tech-related skill acquisition programmes, and others. The young graduates also promised never to disappoint the lawmaker, saying that he has distinguished himself as a representative who genuinely wants to see a better and more prosperous Ibarapa Land.
Also, Mr. Olopade John, who was described as the emeritus first-class graduate at the reception, enjoined the students never to allow their academic certificates to go to their heads. He urged the graduates that the certificate they had bagged is for academic excellence and that what exits outside the world is beyond the honours conferred on them, recognising it as an edge.
He applauded the graduates for finishing well and asked them to continue to keep their noses to the grindstone for their overall life success.
Among other activities by the federal lawmaker that took place at the reception of the first-class graduates in the constituency were a token of his appreciation to the first-class graduates to cover their transport fare; payment of tuition fees for the lawmaker’s scholarship beneficiaries in the constituency, distribution of schoolbags to the best students in his free holiday lesson in the constituency and others.