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By Stephen Adeleye.
An NGO, Chikids Foundation, says it is awarding scholarships to 25 indigent children and distributed stationary to pupils across 20 primary schools in Kogi as part of activities to mark the 2018 Children’s Day celebration.
The programme, tagged: “A Day To Remember”, was organised by Chikids Foundation in partnership with Kogi Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, and the Office of the SSA to Governor on Women & Children Development.
Mr. Chika Isiokwu, the Founder of the NGO, told newsmen at the occasion venue at Saint Mary Primary school in Lokoja, that the gesture was to make impact in the lives of the school children and put smiles on their faces.
“The program is designed to put something back to the schools, to make the children understand that they have to come to school because there is more to life through education.
“The children stand to benefits from the scholarships we are giving out to 25 pupils in Lokoja from Primary four to six, including souvenirs such as stationary, bags and lots of goodies.
“Twenty schools will be involved in debate quiz, dancing, games and other competition; and 20 chosen winners will be awarded full tuition scholarship”, Isiokwu said.
In her remarks, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, the Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, commended the foundation for the initiative, saying, “oftentimes the government is saddled with the responsibility of handling some of these things alone, but government alone cannot do it”.
“So, we are excited that individuals are gradually taking over in education sector. Everyday we have a reason to do better than what we have done.
“Today, we are commemorating the Children’s Day, but again we are grateful to Chikids Foundation because celebrating the day should not be left for the high class alone.
“It shows that we can make a difference in our community if we inconvenient ourselves just a little for the sake of the indigent child. No children No future; If you train a child you train a nation,” Osikoya said.
The commissioner, therefore appealed to individuals, groups, communities and private organizations to partner with the ministry, saying government would take the responsibility of creating enabling environment.
Mrs Sandra Musa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women and Children Development, told journalists that the program was mind blowing and was happening at the right time.
“We want to ensure that the children have fun and be celebrated because it is their day, they are our future. We want to inculcate that value into them from this moment as they grow up,” she said.
Lokongoma LGEA Primary School won the debate quiz competition, while Isaac Egbunu of Holy Trinity Primary came first in the dancing competition. Saint Luke Adankolo gave a playlet on “Importance of Education”.
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