Osun Gov. Aregbesola Gives Scholarship To Stowaway Teenager

A volunteer group extolling the virtues of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State,
De Raufs, has volunteered to sponsor 15-year-old stowaway teenager, Daniel Oikhena, who hid in the tyre compartment of Arik Air flight from Benin to Lagos.

In a statement signed by the Director General of the group, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, the group is ready to give scholarship to Daniel up to university level and help him realise his dream of travelling by air legitimately.

“Genius and ambitious citizen of our country must not be suffocated on the alter of political and bureaucratic enforcement. The little boy’s ambition should be nurtured through qualitative education, and the group is ready to give the boy all the necessary support to make his dream a reality.

“We sincerely willing to offer him the scholarship to encourage thousands of teenagers who are cerebral and ambitious. The leaders in Nigeria fail on their part to see the potential of the little boy. Therefore, De Raufs takes up the responsibility to safe the future of this great boy and not turning him to criminal,” Shittu said.

The boy’s mother Mrs oikhena had earlier dismissed insinuations the boy could have fled Benin because she was maltreating him.

“I did not maltreat him. I don’t joke with my children’s welfare. He does not have friends; he hardly leaves home. I don’t know why he was going to Lagos,” she said.

“When I heard the news, I did not know what to do or say. I was so weak. Many people were telling me to calm down. My only joy now is that he is alive; that is my happiness,” she said.

Mrs Oikhena would be happier now that De Raufs has decided to take full responsibility of her son’s education.