Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has appointed Samuel Badekale and Haroun Adebakin, who emerged as the best graduating students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) during the institution’s 55th convocation, as the Education Ambassadors of the State.

The governor also presented them with cheques of N10m each to appreciate their efforts.

Speaking while receiving the duo in his office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Friday, March 14, 2025, Abiodun said by scoring a CGPA of 5.0, they not only made the state proud but also set themselves on the path of greatness.

Abiodun stated that his administration would continue to honour individuals who made Ogun State proud in their chosen careers to serve as motivation to others to discover their full potential.

He said: “I want to commend you for achieving this great honour for yourselves, your families, the state, and Nigeria, because it is not enough that you come from Ogun State and are flying Ogun State’s flag.

“We are going to appoint you as our Education Ambassadors. It is our hope that other up-and-coming students, those who are still in school, will see you and find motivation in you, allowing them to emulate your good virtues.

“You have to think about how you can support and motivate them. As our Education Ambassadors, we are going to develop programmes where you can actually go to schools and talk to them because it will be easier for you to communicate with them.

“I can talk to them, but I may not be able to communicate with them effectively. However, when you speak to them, you will be able to connect because they can identify with you as you are of the same wavelength and age bracket, and you can relate to what they are going through, including their pains and issues.

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“I congratulate you as our Education Ambassadors, and I don’t want you to be too far away from the Commissioner for Education so that whatever career path you choose, we can support you in achieving your potential and all that you aspire to.

“But today, we will be supporting you with small cheques of N10m each – just a token of our appreciation to you and your parents for what you have accomplished in making Ogun State proud.”

The governor, who described education as a pathway to success and a means to eradicate poverty, said it provides respect and a platform upon which one can build to become successful in life.

“It gives you the platform and passport that allows you to apply for different opportunities, whether job opportunities, master’s programs, among others. It is what helps you in the process of determination,” Abiodun added.

Speaking, Adebakin and Badekale expressed their gratitude to Abiodun for the honour bestowed upon them, stating that their recognition is a testament to the governor’s commitment to improving the education sector in Ogun State.

They advised youths to focus on their studies and shun activities that could tarnish their family names, saying: “You can be successful and recognised without engaging in fraud and other unwholesome practices, just as we are being celebrated today by the governor.”

The Star