The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Oluyole District, Ibadan, has paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees of 100 students as part of activities marking its second anniversary.
The beneficiaries are students of Oba Akinbiyi Model College, Ibadan, and St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola, Ibadan, with each school receiving N2 million to cover the examination fees of 50 students.
Speaking during the presentation, the Chairman of ICAN Oluyole District, Dr Olawale Dopemu, said the gesture was part of the district’s commitment to giving back to society and investing in the future of young Nigerians.
Dopemu said the initiative was also designed to encourage students, particularly those studying commercial subjects, to pursue careers in accounting and other related fields.
He said the district was adopting some students and would provide sponsorship and mentorship to selected beneficiaries through their academic journey and into professional accounting.
According to him, “One of the cardinal points of this group is to give back to society. As we celebrate our second anniversary, we have decided to reach out to these students and support them.
“We want to encourage them to pick up their books and take their studies seriously. There is nothing you cannot achieve in life if you put your mind to it.”
He urged the beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies and make good use of the opportunity provided by the organisation.
The General Secretary of ICAN Oluyole District, Tolulope Olatoyan, said the initiative was aimed at impacting lives and strengthening the relationship between the accounting profession and the community.
Olatoyan said, “One of the things we want to achieve with the second executive of this district is to impact lives and ensure that we reach out to the community around us.
“We are here to celebrate our second anniversary by reaching out to some of the students in the school. We are particularly interested in the commercial students because some of them are studying Accounting, Economics, Commerce and Marketing.”
The Principal of Oba Akinyele Model School, Mrs Adebisi Adebanji, commended ICAN Oluyole District for the gesture, describing it as a major investment in the future of the students.
Adebanji said the support would provide the beneficiaries with a platform to pursue their academic ambitions without the burden of examination fees.
She urged the students to reciprocate the gesture by taking their studies seriously and striving for excellence.
Also, the Principal of St. Louis Grammar School, Mrs Shadare Abosede, expressed appreciation to the ICAN district for coming to the aid of the students at the beginning of the new academic session.
She said the payment of the WAEC fees would remain memorable to the beneficiaries, adding that the gesture would inspire them to give back to society when they become successful.