Fifty students of Esan origin studying in various tertiary institutions in Lagos State have received N150,000 each as education support grants from the Association of Esan Professionals (AEP), under the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative to Esanland.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the association said the students were selected from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University (LASU), and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).
According to AEP President, Dr Henry Egbiki, the selected beneficiaries hail from the five local government areas traditionally occupied by Esan people in Edo State—Esan Central, Esan South-East, Esan North-East, Esan West, and Igueben—with 10 students chosen from each LGA.
Egbiki said the scholarship programme will be held annually and is part of the association’s efforts to give back to Esanland by supporting the education of its youth. He said the AEP established a screening committee made up of competent professionals to ensure only deserving students received the grant.
“We faced some challenges during the selection process, but we were able to resolve them successfully,” he said.
During the cheque presentation ceremony, the Chairman of the Screening Committee, Mr Judge Okoyo, said the initiative was a direct response to the growing need for educational support within the Esan community and a reflection of AEP’s long-term commitment to educational development.
“This is our way of contributing meaningfully to the future of Esanland. Education remains the most powerful tool for development, and we are glad to support our students,” Okoyo stated.
The grant was warmly received by the beneficiaries, many of whom expressed deep appreciation to the association. One of them, Oziegbe St Joseph, a 300-level Architecture student at UNILAG, thanked AEP on behalf of all recipients and prayed for continued strength and blessings upon the association and its leaders.
Another beneficiary, Paulina Godfrey, also a 300-level student at UNILAG, said the support came as a surprise and would go a long way in meeting her academic needs. “I’m grateful for this unexpected assistance. It means a lot, and I promise to use it wisely,” she said.
The scholarship programme is one of several initiatives driven by the AEP, a group of Esan professionals committed to promoting development in Esanland through education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and leadership support.
In recent years, the AEP has expanded its reach beyond Edo State to support Esan indigenes residing in other parts of the country, especially students facing financial difficulties. The association said it intends to scale up the initiative in subsequent editions, depending on available resources and partnership opportunities.
