A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu, has distributed 300 free General Certificate Examination (GCE) forms to students in his constituency.
Distributing the forms in Lagos on Friday, Yishawu, who represents Eti-Osa Constituency II at the Assembly, said the gesture was to provide educational support to residents of the area.
The programme, now in its 13th edition, has benefitted many constituents over the years. Yishawu explained that the initiative was designed to create opportunities for young people to further their education and improve their prospects.
According to him, GCE serves as a “second chance” for students who may not have passed their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE). “This programme is about giving our youths access to opportunities; even with rising costs due to inflation, we remain committed to supporting them because education and skills are essential for progress in today’s world. Beyond academics, we also run skills acquisition and IT-based training programmes to prepare them for jobs and entrepreneurship,” he said.
He added that through the Gbolahan Yishawu Foundation, an NGO, youths in the constituency had been trained in digital marketing, graphic design, data analytics, and other ICT-driven skills. Some beneficiaries, he noted, had already secured employment or transitioned into new careers after completing the training.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the Lagos State Printing Corporation, Mr Kolawole Peregrino, commended Yishawu for supporting education and youth empowerment, describing him as a model for other lawmakers. “He has upheld the legacy of leadership in Lagos, and we pray others emulate his example,” Peregrino said.
Beneficiaries also expressed gratitude for the initiative. One of them, Mr Famorotimi Rahman, who collected a form for his daughter, said the current cost of ₦29,500 was a burden many families could not afford. “We appreciate Yishawu for the work he is doing in our constituency; I want him to aspire for higher political office, given his record of performance,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Ms Iyadi Marvelous, thanked the lawmaker for his support, noting that he had also assisted her sister during her SSSCE. “If we have more people like him in Nigeria, the country would be a better place,” she said.
Also, a student, Miss Famoroti Mutmainnah, expressed joy at receiving the free form and encouraged others to seize such opportunities in the future. Another beneficiary, Miss Oyindamola Thomas, described the gesture as life-changing, saying her mother could not afford to purchase the form for her.
(NAN)