The lawmakers representing the, three senatorial districts of Kwara State at the red chamber have expressed their resolve to support the Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship (CELF), thereby promising three scholarships each for the prospective fellows.
This announcement was made at the meeting organised yesterday through the courtesy of Senator representing Kwara Central in the Senate, Senator Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe in his office.
While receiving the renowned community development practitioner and convener of CELF, Mr. Lawal Olohungbebe, who was in company with a member of the advisory council of the Fellowship, Mr. Umar Jimada Bologi, Senator Oloriegbe said he was most excited by the scholarship opportunities embedded in the CELF programme.
According to the Senator, “The fact that some of these Fellows are getting scholarships is a great feat. That means the youths in rural Kwara will also have the rare opportunity to become informed and productive.”
In his own reaction, Senator Umar Sadiq representing the Kwara North senatorial district, said what gladdened him about the initiative was that the entrepreneural skills the fellows will acquire would help them harness the resources in the rural areas.
“If we have more of this community-based intervention, there will be myriad of platforms through which our youths can grow,” Senator Sadiq concludes.
The Senator representing the Kwara South senatorial district, Senator Lola Ashiru was absent at the meeting. But his colleagues pledged in his stead to provide scholarships to three of the prospective fellows.
While thanking the lawmakers on behalf of the CELF organisers, a member of the advisory council for the Fellowship, Alhaji Umar Jimada Bologi appreciated the Senators for their dedication to supporting community development initiatives and interventions.
“What we need from you, the senators, is far beyond financial assistance. We want you to support us morally as well. Your influence will go a long way in ensuring we have a sustainable platform for the youths in the State,” Bologi added.
