Eshilokun Sanni Marked Birthday with Laudable Deeds;Gave Scholarship To 65 Students.
Shina Ishola
A philosopher once said “humanity excels only when people in power care for the less privileged”. This is the philosophy adopted by the Senator-elect for Lagos Central, and current Deputy Speaker, LAHA, Rt Hon Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni, when he marked his birthday on 24th March, 2023, by giving out scholarships to 65 students of tertiary education in Lagos Island Local Government.
Giving his status, he could have spent such a day in exquisite tour locations around the world or fete his peers at the most expensive hospitality facility there is. However, Eshilokun chose to be felicitated by people from humble backgrounds, while putting a smile on their faces and that of their parents.
At the scholarship award ceremony, speaker after speaker eulogised Rt Hon Eshilokun for his sterling leadership qualities and milk of kindness.
The birthday celebration which started with a prayer at his Oduduwa, G.R.A. residence was hosted by his wife, Alhaja Balkiss Eshilokun Sanni and two of his children, Mariam and Fawaz; with members of Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni Campaign Council, associates, other party and family members in attendance.
The Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni Annual scholarship awards programme, the 11th in the series, held at Lagos Island Local Government Secretariat, Adeniji Adele, Lagos, and took place after the prayer.
The event was graced by very important politicians in Lagos Central Senatorial district, among which were Hon. Moshood Mayegun (State APC Deputy chairman), Alhaji A.G.O. Sodiq, Bashorun Alabi Mack Four and wife, Hons Bamgbala, Oyekan Olumegbon, Apatira, Ajose, Alawiye King, Rasheed Giwa and H.O. Adeniji.
Others were Hons Taju Dosunmu, Adeniji Adele, Oyebode, Barakat, Ayo, Salami, woman and youth leaders and Alhaji Mustapha Sego, among very many others.
Also in attendance were Royal fathers, High chiefs Ayodele Oyekan (Bajulaye) and Fowora Eshilokun (Baajiki). Different markets on the Island were also represented.
The chairman of the Wasiu Eshilokun Education Committee, Mr Biodun Aromire, who is also the principal of Eko Akete grammar school, while appreciating Eshilokun for building future leaders and supporting indigent parents to actualise their dreams, explained that the successful awardees were thoroughly screened before being shortlisted.
On his part, Rt Hon Eshilokun appreciated everyone for honouring his day. He affirmed that he will continue to aspire with and offer his helping hands to the needy; promising to continue with, and even extend the scholarship award to cover his Senatorial district, in subsequent editions.
As a mark of his commitment to ensuring the continuity of the award, he invited his children, studying and working abroad, to understudy this, with a view to continuing when he is too old to. To this end, he directed his daughter, supported by the son, to read his speech.
In the speech, he noted that providing access to education “…is the best way of safeguarding the future of our children and procuring sustainable development…”. Towards achieving this, he hopes to do more “to make education not just appealing, but also affordable to all our willing children”.
At the end of speeches, Rt Hon Eshilokun presented bankers cheque of #25,000 each to 40 market men and women, in fulfilment of his promise before the Governorship election.
Thereafter, the 65 awardees, accompanied by their parents, were each presented with their cheques, with values ranging from #75,000 through #85,000 to #100,000, for students in humanities, Law and Medicine respectively.
