By Usman Aliyu
The Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has said that investing in the educational development of children is a worthy and commendable undertaking that deserves the support of all.
Mrs Deborah Osarieme, SUBEB Quality Assurance Officer, Oredo Local Government Education Authority, stated this on Friday during the presentation of learning infrastructure to Ivbiore Primary School, Oroghene, in Benin City by an alumnus, Maj. Ambrose Agho( rtd).
Agho donated the benches through his foundation, the Ambrose Agho Empowerment and Welfare Initiative, a non-governmental organisatio(NGO) based in Benin.
She commended the NGO for complementing the government’s efforts to improve basic education.
Osarieme described the intervention as a worthwhile investment in the future of the children and urged other well-meaning individuals and organisations to emulate the gesture.
She said the donation would not only improve the learning environment but also inspire the pupils to remember and support their alma mater when they become successful.
“This collaboration is good for the educational development of the pupils and the state.
“It will also motivate these children to remember their own schools when they grow up,” she said.
Osarieme also prayed for greater strength and resources for the donor to sustain the initiative.
Also speaking, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Eunice Omonedo, expressed appreciation to the founder for remembering his former school.
“This is what we have been praying for. God Almighty will continue to open more doors of opportunity for the founder and financier of the initiative.
“The pupils are excited and are already seated on the chairs,” she said.
Omonedo, however, appealed for additional support to further improve teaching and learning facilities in the school.
Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Gloria Jacob thanked the donor for the intervention.
She said the new desks would relieve many pupils who previously had inadequate seating, making learning more comfortable.
“We are very happy. These chairs will help us learn better and save many pupils from sitting on the floor during classes,” she said.
Earlier, while presenting the furniture, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the initiative, Prof. Daniel Osasogie, said the donation was Agho’s way of giving back to the school that laid the foundation for his education.
According to Osasogie, the initiative was established to support vulnerable and less-privileged members of society through educational and welfare interventions.
He said the founder was an old pupil of the school, formerly known as St. Angela Primary School.
“Mr Ambrose Agho was a pupil of this school when it was known as St. Angela Primary School.
“He believes this school gave him the foundation for his success in life, and this is his own way of giving back to society,” he said.
The chairman of the Board of Directors said the initiative currently sponsors pupils and students in primary and secondary schools through scholarship programmes.
He added that the donation of classroom furniture was another step towards supporting quality education.
“We also have an NGO called the Ambrose Agho Empowerment and Welfare Initiative, which was established to meet the needs of the vulnerable and the less privileged.
“We have many pupils and students on scholarship, and we are extending that support through infrastructure projects such as this.
“We will continue to do more. We also want individuals and organisations that support humanitarian causes to see that we are genuinely helping those in need.
“This is not about politics,” he said.
The donated items include 10 sets of three-seater classroom desks with attached writing surfaces to improve learning conditions.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AUO/KOO
===========
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa