CELF 2021: Gov AbdulRazaq Approves 30 Million Naira To Fund, Equip Outstanding Fellows

As the Second Edition of the Countryside Emerging Leadership Fellowship (CELF) is fast approaching, preparations are in top gear to ensure that this edition becomes a better version of the previous one.

The Kwara State Government ably led by Gov. AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq has on its own part approved the sum of N30 million as supports for students from rural areas participating in the 2021 edition of Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship (CELF). 

A statement made available to our medium by the Press Secretary of CELF, Saadudeen Abdulrasheed confirms this development.

The statement noted that the funds will cover tuition and miscellaneous expenses for sixteen (16) outstanding fellows across the 16 local government areas of the State.

According to the statement, Mallam Lawal Olohungbebe, representing the corporate organisers of the Fellowship, Haashim Initiative for Community Advancement (HICA) and the Hannis Institute for Development Studies (HIDS) made the official disclosure in his press remarks, on Friday in Ilorin, the kwara state capital.

Olohungbebe noted in his remarks that the kind gestures extended to CELF by the Govt is a proof that the governor is committed to lend a helping hand to every aspiring young Kwaran.  

In making this a reality, the Governor has graciously approved funds to support the education of these fellows from rural communities in the State. He said

Olohungbebe expressed satisfaction and commends the Governor's support, he said as someone who has seen first-hand the disadvantages suffered by young people struggling in rural areas to access quality education, we are confident that the governor's gesture will help to bring forth the potentials of many enterprising youths in our rural areas who will go on to make Kwara proud in the nearest future.

Furthermore, the Convener on behalf of the Fellows, their parents and the organisers, expressed gratitudes to the Kwara State government for supporting independent initiatives aimed at advancing Kwara's education and human capacity development; and for encouraging participants through targeted supports such as the scholarship awards. 

Thank you for institutionalizing CELF through budgetary provision, this decision we're certain would guarantee sustainance of the programme. Olohungbebe added.

The Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship (CELF) commenced in 2020 as a yearly educational intervention aimed at building the capacity of young people, particularly in rural areas in Kwara State. 

Since the commencement of the Fellowship, individuals and corporate donors have advanced varying degrees of support to the fellows. Recently, the Senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, Senator (Dr.) Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbebe fulfilled his scholarship pledge to the 2020 fellows from his senatorial district. 

The 2021 fellowship with the theme: 'Nurturing potentials and delivering growth' was formally announced on Monday, 1st November, 2021. The would-be beneficiaries of the Kwara State government scholarships are expected to emerge from this edition of the project.