The Association of Esan Professionals (AEP) has restated its commitment to embark on its yearly scholarship grants to undergraduates from the Esan community in Edo State.

At a meeting where the association reinforced its commitment to development in Esan land, President of AEP, Dr Henry Egbiki, said the gesture was part of the he Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the association to Esan indigenes, not just in Lagos but across the world.

He recalled that besides so many commitments in the past, AEP, last year, granted Esan students from the various higher institutions of learning scholarships amounting to N150,000 each.

Egbiki said that no fewer than 50 students from Esan origin would eventually benefit from the grant.

He said that 10 students each were selected from the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Esan Central, Esan South-East, Esan North-East, Esan West and Igueben, inhabited by the Esan people in Edo State.

The President noted that the grant would be a yearly affair, noting that the association organised the programme to give back to Esanland.

Also commenting, Chairman, Scholarship Screening Committee, George Okoyo, called on other community associations to emulate AEP in giving back to society.

At the meeting, the association expressed its unending commitment to ensure continuous development in all communities across Esan land, thereby resolving to sustain its positive impact in the five local government areas in the region.

The association boasted of its contributions to the communities, especially in the educational sector, emphasising its desire to enhance the developmental strides to complement the efforts of the government.

With more development initiatives on the pipeline, AEP said it has resolved to get more Esan sons and daughters involved through a fundraising engagement that is expected to be held in July.

Speaking on the fundraising plan, the Chairman of the AEP Fundraising Committee, Emmanuel Ogbebor, described it as another opportunity for Esan professionals worldwide to put themselves forward to be counted.

He also used the opportunity to call on those who are yet to join AEP to do so, stressing that coming together under one umbrella would further strengthen the group and enhance its resources for development.

According to him, “while we thank members of the Association for the job done so far over the years, we are using this opportunity to also invite more people to join the group. Esan land is great, and we also have great and wonderful people, such as Esan sons and daughters.

“As much as we believe they have been contributing their quota to the development of the communities one way or the other, I personally believe coming together will strengthen us more and boost the resources for continuous development.

“It is possible some of them are not aware of this group and what we do, so this is to let them know that we are here and prepared to take Esan land to the next level. That also means their membership will be highly appreciated and fruitful,” he said.