A non-governmental organization, Iko-Josh Empowered Foundation (I-JEF), has organized a free summer lessons for vulnerable primary and junior secondary children, with free distribution of educational materials in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Speaking during the flag off at Lokongoma Primary School, Lokoja on Thursday, the Executive Director of I-JEF, Mr Reuben Joshua, said the foundation has realized the need to organise a summer extra moral lesson for vulnerable children in public schools in line with I-JEF mission.
According to him, I-JEF’s mission is to engage critical stakeholders through constructive and effective dialogue that would enhance and aid services to assist communities.
He said the free summer lessons would include pupils in Primary 4, 5 and 6, as well as secondary students in JSS 1, 2, and 3.
”This is to enable us engage them positively and prepare them academically for their new classes thereby enhancing their academic performance towards academic excellence in Kogi State.
”We plan to engage qualified youth corps members to teach different subjects.
”We will distribute writing materials to participants and scholarship to the best performing pupil and student in each category.
”Category one will comprise of 25 primary pupils while category two will have 25 junior secondary students,” Joshua said.
He, therefore called for partnership, collaboration and support from individuals and organisations to sustain the initiative geared towards giving quality education to vulnerable children in Kogi and Nigeria at large.
He described I-JEF as a non-governmental and non profiting organization, set up with sole purpose of contributing change to outcomes in Democratic Governance, Accountability, Poverty Reduction, Health, Education, Migration, among others.
He added that I-JEF’s vision is to have an African society where poverty is reduced to its barest minimum through children, youth and women empowerment.
In his remarks, the Traditional Ruler of Lokongoma community, Mallam Abdullahi Musa, thanked the foundation for bringing such life enhancing program to his community.
Musa, who was represented by the Community Secretary, Hon. Ayuba Ahmodu, described the initiative as first of its kind in the history of the community, saying he was very delighted.
In his remarks, the KONGONET Chairman in Kogi, Mr Idris Muraino, who was represented by Mr Nathaniel Abaniwo, commended the foundation for enhancing the capacity of the children to taking the leadership position in the future.
He assured the foundation of the total support of KONGONET, while encouraging the stakeholders to ensure that the vision became a reality.
He advised the children to see the gesture as an opportunity and take it very seriously saying, ”educational services is too expensive to pay for”.
One of the parents, Mrs Bilikisu Suleiman, said she felt very happy that the lesson was organised by I-JEF free of charge as well provision of writing materials and award of scholarship.
”I was already thinking of how to raise money to enrol my children for lesson, before I was told that this I-JEF lesson is free. We are very grateful to them,” she said.
Present at the occasion were Executive Directors of NGOs; such as Mr Titus Alonge of Teens Educational Development & Information Initiative (TEDiiN); Pastor Mrs Roseline Alabi of Dual Care and HIV Prevention Initiative; Corps members; among others.
All the stakeholders commended the Foundation for the loudable initiative, and advised the children to take good advantage of the opportunity to become great in their lives and careers.
The free summer lesson which is organised by I-JEF in collaboration with Kogi State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, is scheduled to hold between 9am to 1pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, at Lokongoma Primary School, Opposite Old Living Faith Church.
