Kingsley Ohens reporting
The Ambassador Comrade Isesele Kelvin Aigbokhan Foundation(BOSSU ) has registered over 100 indigent students for 2024/2025 secession of the West African Examination Council’s Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
The benefiting students who were drawn across all the public schools received cheques covering the examination fees and other associated costs were presented to them during a ceremony held at the Ikekato Secondary School, Irrua.
This year’s event marked the 10th of the category done by the Foundation, and also the latest of Ambassador Comrade Isesele Aigbokhan’s education interventions in over a decade as a community-based charity organisation.
The gesture, which has helped thousands of indigent children and families who could not afford the cost of enrollment for the external examination has become one of the yearly events the Foundation is known for.
This year, the Foundation paid WAEC fee for over 100 students worth millions of Naira as back-to-school support across the local government.
Apart from educational intervention, the Foundation which annually embarked on free medical care for citizens of the local government and beyond as part of Ambassador Comrade Isesele Aigbokhan’s commitment to humanity has continued to provide succour for the people of Esan Central Local Government Area and beyond.
Meanwhile, speaking at the cheque-presentation ceremony, the president and founder of the foundation, Amb. Comrade Isesele Kelvin Aigbokhan (BOSSU), CEO BOSSU group of companies who represented by Comrade Farouk Ehimegbe, the Edo Central Senatorial District Coordinator said the gesture was a fulfillment of her lifelong dream to prioritize education as a result of his experience growing up under a humble background.
The business mogul also announced plans to give financial support to the best graduating students among the beneficiaries to stabilize them in their first year in higher institutions.
He said his dream is to see every child in his community have access to education no matter the circumstances, and it has continued to inspire him to take the scheme to the next level.
He said: “I use this very opportunity to thank Comrade Farouk Ehimegbe for working tirelessly to keep this project going and for being someone who is helping me to fulfill my dream to provide education to our people.
“I thank the principals of various secondary schools. I want to congratulate you for being part of the history. Many students have passed their WAEC courtesy of this gesture. People who couldn’t have had the opportunity to register for WAEC have participated in this and have come through.”
While urging the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously to meet up with the basic requirements to guarantee their administration into higher institutions, the Philanthropist promised to reward the best graduating students with a starter package to enable them settle in their first year in the university.
“To add to what we are offering, I will offer best graduating or best performed students in WAEC across the Esan Central local government area some money to take care of their first year tuition fee in the university.
“This became necessary, because sometimes you may have your WAEC and JAMB ready but you cannot afford the cost and maybe your school fee and sometimes, it happens to people who are very brilliant.
“That is why our foundation focuses on indigent students even. I was already sponsoring indigent students in tertiary institutions. I can boast that some of them are gainfully employed. So to push the education level to the next level, I am offering this support”, he stated.
Speaking earlier at the ceremony, the Coordinator of the scheme, Hon. Farouk Ehimegbe, implored the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity and make their family and the sponsor proud.
“I implore you to utilize this opportunity to make yourself great. We are wishing you good luck and success in your forthcoming examination.
“I believe that your contributions to the success of this programme shall never be in vain. I believe that with the support of your parents, your own personal support and support from family members and with your prayers for the Foundation, this programme will continue so that others will benefit after you”, Farouk said.
Dignitaries present at the event include; Dr Peter Aikore chairman of the occasion, Hon Mike Inetianbor Apc leader ward4 Chief Sunday Emonyon and among others
