The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has pledged to sponsor the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration and tutorial fees of the children of a physically challenged father, Mr. Abass Idowu Sakiru, from Ona Ara Local Government Area.
Adekanmbi also promised to offer the children university scholarships to study at any federal government-owned institution in Nigeria if they excel in their WAEC examinations.
The gesture followed an emotional appeal by Sakiru during a live media chat featuring Adekanmbi on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), where he spoke about the difficulties he faces in providing for his family due to his physical condition, which particularly affects his eyesight.
During the phone-in segment, Sakiru lamented his inability to meet some of his responsibilities as a father, disclosing that financial constraints prevented him from paying his son’s WAEC registration fee last year. He appealed for assistance to enable his children to register for the forthcoming examination.
Following the broadcast, Sakiru visited Adekanmbi at his campaign office in Jericho, Ibadan, accompanied by one of his twin sons.
During the meeting, Adekanmbi interacted with the father and his son and immediately directed that arrangements be made for both twins to be registered for the next WAEC examination. He also approved payment of their tutorial fees to ensure adequate academic preparation.
While sympathising with Sakiru over his condition, Adekanmbi reaffirmed his commitment to improving the welfare of persons living with disabilities, stressing the need to provide them with support, opportunities and inclusion to live meaningful lives.
He noted that physically challenged citizens should not be denied opportunities to achieve their aspirations because of their condition.
The APM candidate encouraged the boys to remain focused on their education and work hard irrespective of their family’s challenges, extending words of encouragement to the twin who was absent.
He assured them that their academic achievements would attract further support, promising to sponsor their university education in any federal institution of their choice if they record excellent results.
