By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Osogbo – The House of Representatives member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State, Wole Oke, has awarded scholarships to 1,240 students across nine technical colleges in the state.

The scheme, launched in 2021, is aimed at promoting technical education and equipping youths with practical skills for self-reliance and employment.

In a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, Oke said the scholarship covers school fees, enrolment charges, lesson fees, and other related expenses, costing about N15 million per term and N40 million per academic session.

Beneficiaries include:

Government Technical College, Osogbo: 469 students

Technical College, Ile-Ife: 213 students

Ijebu-Ijesa: 150 students

Ara: 39 students

Inisa: 109 students

Otan-Ayegbaju: 9 students

Gbongan: 88 students

Osu: 12 students

Oke, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, described the initiative as a strategic investment in youth empowerment and unemployment reduction. He noted that technical skills not only prepare young people for jobs but also enable them to become job creators.

“Technical education remains one of the most practical pathways to tackling unemployment in our society. By equipping our young people with relevant skills, we are not only preparing them for jobs but also empowering them to become job creators. This scholarship is a deliberate investment in the future of our youths and the economic growth of Osun State,” Oke said.

The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s recent move to introduce free tuition in all Federal Technical Colleges nationwide.

A beneficiary, Abosede Durojaye from Ife, described the scholarship scheme as life-changing, commending Oke for his commitment to supporting education and youth development.