-By Tayo Oyekanmi
When the late Sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo became the premier of Western Nigeria in 1952, the region was battling the issue of low literacy level because parents were unable to pay school fees just as schools were fewer in numbers.
Of course Awolowo was convinced that Education was and still key to development. His slogan then was “Education is greatest weapon you can use to change society”
Chief Awolowo came up with the policy of universal primary education otherwise known as Free Education. Key features included Free Tuition.
Every child of school age must be enrolled and it became compulsory for parents to send their kids to school.
The impact was instant and massive. Enrollment went to the rooftop. Literacy rate jumped and schools were built everywhere.
Many of today’s well to do individuals especially in the South West are beneficiaries of Awolowo’s thoughtful, futuristic and interventionist policy.
While this short piece isn’t necessary about X-raying Chief Awolowo’s legacy in the Education sector but more about a Man who is redefining governance and reincarnating Awolowo’s footsteps in all sectors of human endeavours, particularly in the Education sector at this point in time. That Man is no other person than Sen Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi. The APC governorship candidate in Ogun State.
On Sunday July 26th 2026, the Third Edition of Sen Yayi Scholarship and Bursary Awards ceremony took place at Abeokuta. A total of 5,312 were the beneficiaries. That figure according to Sen Yayi at the occasion is slightly lower than the last two editions combined.
Over 17,000 students applied for this year edition but many fell shot of the criteria set. Many even tried all kinds of sharp practices to get enlisted but the Eagle Eyes of Administrators of the program led by Prof Tope Popoola were well at alert. The attempt to get enlisted at all cost by the students even underscored something deeper at another level.
That aside though, if we look closely to what Sen Yayi is doing away from prism of political lense, one will conclude that Yayi is God’s sent to humanity with the way and manner he’s replicating Awolowo doings.
How do I come to this conclusion? With 87 Buildings of 12 classrooms facilated in 3 years in Ogun State as a Senator with all the needed accessories and amenities, staff rooms and associated needs. With over 10, 000 JAMB FORMS for admission seekers, over 2, 000 Eligible WAEC students were saved from trauma and educational dislocation at best when their WAEC fees were paid last minute when that issue was brought to his attention.
With all these interventions by Sen Yayi, what he has done is to successfully give hope and live to dream that might have shattered because of financial and institutional support like the one Awolowo provided. Sen Yayi has unknowingly given future and believe to many whom might be on the brink of giving up.
The truth is even if some amongst the benefiaries forget Sen Yayi in the nearest future, majority will remember and reciprocate the goodness of Sen Yayi’s heart at the appropriate time. One thing is clear though, Sen Yayi is not doing this for applause and adulation. But doing his best as laid in his heart by his Creator. Like Sen Yayi said at the occasion, he’s giving the beneficiaries hope for a better future without any condition attached. Sen Yayi has shown he is compassionate, he is kind-hearted, he is lifter of men. One can describe him as a humanist per excellence.
One of the takeaway from this year edition is that Ogun State might be witnessing the return of Scholarship and Bursary Board with ascendancy of Sen Yayi as Govenor come May 29 2027. Sen Yayi alluded to this in passing and even said the target for next edition of next will be in excess of 10,000 beneficiaries.
Truly Sen Yayi is giving hope to all irrespective of creed and race. Under him, Ogun will definitely witness a new rave of developments as Governor. Just as people continue to reference Awolowo decades after his passage due to his enduring legacies, Sen Yayi on his part, is also engraving himself in the heart of many. Posterity is taking note and history will definitely be kind to him.
