Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative Limited (IDPIL) has once again demonstrated its commitment to education and youth development by disbursing scholarships and bursaries worth millions of naira to deserving students. The 4th Annual Awards ceremony, held on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at N.S Sho Event Centre in Imota Local Council Development Area, was a testament to IDPIL’s vision of empowering the next generation and fostering peace in the community.

Since its inception in 2021, IDPIL’s scholarship program has become a lifeline for hundreds of students across the six councils of Ikorodu Division. This year’s edition provided both tuition relief and academic support to secondary and tertiary school students, further underscoring the initiative’s dedication to education.

IDPIL operates on its SHEER development blueprint, focusing on Security, Health, Education, Environment, and Road Rehabilitation. The initiative has funded various interventions, including the installation of solar-powered streetlights, provision of security patrol vehicles, rehabilitation of palaces, and construction of healthcare facilities. Current projects include a multi-million-naira Renal Centre scheduled for commissioning in early 2026 and plans for a state-of-the-art Orthopaedic Centre in Ikorodu.

The ceremony was graced by traditional rulers, including HRM Oba Ajibade Mudashiru Bakare-Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, and HRM Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo. Both monarchs urged students to prioritize discipline and academic excellence. Political leaders, including Hon. Benson Sunday Ayodele, Executive Chairman of Imota LCDA, and Hon. Ahmed Olalekan Aroyewun, Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, pledged continued partnership with IDPIL to expand youth development programs.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN (Odofin of Ikorodu), assured stakeholders that IDPIL will remain committed to executing its SHEER agenda. He stressed that collaboration among monarchs, political leaders, and residents is key to sustaining the initiative’s success.

In his address, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, Executive Secretary of IDPIL, emphasized that education is the strongest tool for community emancipation. “From our first year till now, IDPIL has touched virtually every sector of Ikorodu Division. But we consider education the backbone of our mission because it is the most sustainable way to empower our youths and guarantee peace in society,” Abiru said.

Chairman of the day, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, former Lagos State Head of Service, described IDPIL as a “gold standard for grassroots development,” praising its holistic approach to solving social problems. With millions of naira invested annually in human and infrastructural capital, IDPIL has further entrenched its reputation as a cornerstone of grassroots progress in Ikorodu Division.

The selection process for the scholarships and bursaries was transparent, with students selected through a competitive qualifying test. Committee Chairperson, Hon. Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, urged parents to continue instilling discipline, resilience, and values of service in their children.

Beneficiaries hailed the program as life-changing, with several expressing gratitude for the financial relief and sense of responsibility it has given them. Shittu Oluwatumishe, a medical student at Lagos State University College of Medicine, shared his story, saying, “IDPIL began as a solution to insecurity, but it has grown into a platform that gives youths opportunities to thrive. This award has not only eased my financial burden but also given me a sense of responsibility to give back to my community.”

By investing in human capital and infrastructure, IDPIL is positioning education as the anchor of peace, empowerment, and sustainable development in Ikorodu Division. The initiative’s consistent theme is that education is central to peace and progress, and by keeping youths engaged through scholarships and bursaries, IDPIL is reducing financial pressure on families and preventing social vices linked to lack of opportunity.