FROM(SCHOLARSHIP BENEFICIARY); NAME: AKINNAWONU SEUN FRANCIS

INSTITUTION: LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, IKEJA, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA.

COURSE: MEDICINE AND SURGERY LEVEL: 400LEVEL MATRIC NUMBER; 200710026

TO(SPONSOR); AIYEKU FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP.

Bad Governance, Corruption and Youths’ Helplessness in Nigeria: Philanthropy to the rescue.

Setting all informalities aside, the purpose of the piece of writing is to systemically evaluate and analyse the benefits of Aiyeku foundation to me as a student and also to address the largescale contribution of the foundation towards societal improvement using philanthropy as a key tool.The Aiyeku Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged students from Ondo State and Oke Ogun in Oyo State, Nigeria. The foundation offers scholarships to indigent students studying in government-owned higher institutions. The Aiyeku Foundation Scholarship provides several benefits, including full tuition fee coverage, a stipend for living expenses, and mentorship opportunities. The scholarship is particularly targeted at students pursuing degrees in fields like Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Law. Additionally, the foundation provides medical care support to those in need within the community. The application of critical thinking is much required better evaluate the long term benefits of this scholarship, beyond immediate relief. These include; career success and effective contribution in various fields of application. It is also important as it gives a clear understanding of the selection criteria and fairness, assesses the outcomes of scholarship and their impact on society.

Undoubtedly, there are some benefits of Aiyeku scholarship to me as a beneficiary. One out of many to be further cited, is the alleviation of financial debts. This has protected me from accumulated loan procurements and threats from microfinance companies. Having my tuition fee paid as at when due has made my academic advancement seamless ever since. This has also limited the financial burden on my parents as they struggle to make ends meet, in a bid to give me the best quality of education possible.

Additionally, this sponsorship opportunity strengthens my focus in school and limits distractions and worries that would have surfaced if only this foundation has not deemed it fit to bless young individuals like me out of their bounty. As a matter of fact, I was able to scale through my first professional exam as a medical student without having a resit, this is because what is expected of me is to sit tight and study properly. Many of my colleagues have had to work extra jobs outside school to cater for their needs, even in the midst of examination. Truthfully speaking, adequate focus and time for study are some of the most valuable currency to have as a student, most especially if the course of study is quite demanding.

Furthermore, Aiyeku scholarship has established a platform for quality networking and intellectual discussions between me and my fellow beneficiaries from various institutions across the country. This in no time would create room for more opportunities, support personal growth and career advancement. Observing the times we are, it is a no-brainer that useful connections and networking can surprisingly open doors we never thought we could access in our travails of life.

Worthy of mention, is how the foundation has been able to bridge the gap between young individuals of varying socio-economic background. Inequalities in the education of Nigerian youths are being reduced to the barest minimum as equal opportunities are granted to the underprivileged ones. I can’t necessarily identify as an underprivileged student but I’d say I’m one of the lucky ones whose academic dedication have been rewarded.

Another benefit of the scholarship has to be the deliberate effort to minimize the crime rates and school drop-outs in the society. This in turn creates a peaceful atmosphere for academic institutions and country at large as it kills the rebellious instincts in the Nigerian youths, that have the likelihood of spearheading riots and violent outbursts in schools. when needs are well taken care of? Absolutely no one would engage in all that, I think.

To buttress the issue of cause and effect, here is a systematic analysis of the philosophy of Marcus Cicero of 43BC, as seen in his written words of wisdom on the exploitation of hierarchy, giving a satirical and critical view of the societal structure, dissecting the roles and behaviors of various societal groups. These societal groups include; the poor, the rich, the soldier, the tax payer, the banker, the lawyer, the doctor, the goons and the politicians. Though ancient, his observations resonate with contemporary Nigerian society, highlighting systemic issues that persist across centuries. Let’s break down each line and examine its relevance today.

“The poor—work and work”:

Then: In Cicero’s time, the poor were burdened with labor, often without adequate compensation, their work fueling the wealth of the rich and the state.

Now:The working class in today’s Nigerian society still toils extensively, often in low-paying jobs, and struggles to escape poverty. Despite the technological advancements and economic growth, wealth inequality remains stark, and the poor continue to work tirelessly to make ends meet.

“The rich—exploits the poor”:

Then: The rich in Cicero’s era benefited from the labor of the poor, consolidating wealth and power, often at the expense of the lower classes.

Now: The gap between the rich

h and poor has widened significantly. The wealthy often benefit from systems that exploit cheap labor, both domestically and globally, and have crazy influence over political and economic systems, increasing their wealth.

“The soldier—protects both”:

Then: Soldiers were tasked with defending the state, including both the rich and poor, but often served the interests of the ruling elite.

Now: Contemporary soldiers of Nigeria still protect the nation, and by extension, its people. However, military forces are often deployed to protect national interests, which can include the economic interests of the wealthy and powerful, sometimes at the expense of broader societal welfare. A notable example was the bully of civilians at lekki during the “END SARS” protest in 2020.

“The taxpayer—pays for three”:

Then: Taxpayers in Cicero’s time bore the financial burden of maintaining the state, including funding the military and supporting the elite.

Now: Taxpayers in Nigeria continue to finance government functions, including military expenditures and social services. However, tax policies often favor the wealthy, placing a disproportionate burden on the middle and lower classes, who may see less direct benefit from the taxes they pay.

“The banker—robs all four”:

Then: Moneylenders and bankers were often viewed as exploiting all social classes through usury and manipulation.

Now: The banking sector plays a significant role in the economy, but it has also been criticized for practices that prioritize profit over the welfare of society. The 2008 financial crisis is a recent example where banking practices led to widespread economic hardship.

“The lawyer—misleads all five”:

Then: Lawyers, seen as manipulative, were often accused of using the law to serve their interests or those of the wealthy, rather than justice.

Now: The legal profession still faces criticism for being inaccessible to the average person and for serving the interests of those who can afford better representation. This perpetuates inequality, as the law is often seen as more favorable to those with resources.

“The doctor—bills all six”:

Then: Medical practitioners were often seen as exploiting the need for healthcare, charging high fees regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

Now: Healthcare costs remain a contentious issue, with many countries facing challenges in making healthcare affordable and accessible to all. In places where healthcare is privatized, the cost can be prohibitively expensive, and profit motives can sometimes overshadow patient care.

“The goons—scares all seven”:

Then: Enforcers or goons were used by the powerful to intimidate or control the population.

Now: The modern equivalent could be seen in various forms of systemic violence or the use of force by state or non-state actors to maintain control. Police brutality, political intimidation, and other forms of coercion are still prevalent in the society, maintaining the status quo through fear.

“The politician—lives happily on account of all eight”:

Then: Politicians were often seen as corrupt, living off the labor and resources of all other groups while manipulating the system for personal gain.

Now: Public distrust in Nigerian politicians remains high, as many are perceived to be out of touch with the average citizen, often benefiting from the system they oversee. Issues like lobbying, corruption, and the influence of money in politics exacerbate this perception.

In conclusion, Cicero’s critique of societal roles, though over two millennia old, remains strikingly applicable to modern society. The roles and dynamics he described continue to manifest in various forms today, suggesting that certain structural inequities are deeply ingrained in human societies. While progress has been made in some areas, the persistence of these issues underscores the challenges of achieving a truly equitable society. Cicero’s words remind us that while history may change the specifics, the underlying power dynamics often remain remarkably consistent. So, in a contemporary world, especially in Nigeria, where power dynamics are not in the favor of the common masses, most especially the underprivileged. In a state where corruption and misuse of power have eaten deep into the fabrics of the society and the hearts of common people are broken and their minds poisoned, Aiyeku foundation scholarship, amidst all other philanthropic establishments or individuals can be a possible antidote and relieving factor to the upset caused by the power abusers.