More than 300 vulnerable and indigent students have completed a one-month free summer lesson organised by the Iko-Jush Foundation in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Education, drawing praise from government officials, traditional leaders and civil society groups at the programme’s closing ceremony.
The initiative, held at GYB Model Science Secondary School in Adankolo, Lokoja, was designed to keep students academically engaged during the long vacation and help them stay focused on their educational and career goals. Stakeholders at the closing ceremony urged philanthropists, corporate organisations and other NGOs to sustain and replicate the model across the state, noting that such programmes help shield vulnerable children from idleness and social vices during extended school breaks.
The programme’s organiser, Reuben Joshua, said the initiative — now in its fourth edition — was built on the conviction that education shapes the future of young people and keeps them “on the right path.” He said the foundation remains focused on closing the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their more privileged peers, and appealed to individuals and organisations for greater support to help the foundation sustain and expand its reach.
Ladi Ahmedi, Vice Principal (Administration) of GYB Model Science Secondary School, represented the school’s principal, Ajofe Yakubu Godwin, and commended the initiative as a laudable intervention that kept students engaged throughout the holiday. She also praised parents for supporting their children’s participation and thanked the volunteer teachers who gave up their vacation to teach.
Hamza Aliu, Chairman of KONGONET, joined other NGO leaders in praising the foundation, describing the programme as evidence of the role civil society can play in complementing government efforts in education. He pledged his support and called on other organisations and philanthropists to emulate the initiative, while also urging parents to remain actively involved in guiding and supervising their children.
Representatives of the Kogi State Ministry of Education, including Mariam Muhammed — who stood in for the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones — commended the foundation, saying the programme aligned with government efforts to promote access to quality education. They urged beneficiaries to take the lessons learned seriously and become good ambassadors for their families, schools and communities.
Daniel Praise, representing the royal father and traditional leader of Adankolo, described education as one of the strongest foundations for the development of any society and called for continued support for initiatives that expand children’s access to learning.
Roseline Alabi, founder of the Dual Care HIV Preventive Initiative, commended the foundation’s intervention and acknowledged the contributions of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to the education sector, while calling for continued government support for programmes benefiting vulnerable children.
The ceremony featured moments of celebration as students marked the successful completion of the programme, with beneficiaries expressing gratitude to the foundation, volunteer teachers and other stakeholders. Special awards were presented to volunteer teachers in recognition of their commitment, and the foundation announced four students as new beneficiaries of its annual scholarship scheme. As part of its contribution to the host school, the Iko-Jush Foundation also donated notebooks for distribution to students when the new academic session begins.
Stakeholders closed the event with a renewed call for individuals, philanthropists, private organisations and NGOs to invest in similar educational programmes that keep vulnerable children engaged, improve academic performance and protect them from negative influences during school holidays.
