By Monday Ajogun
Mr Darlington Igabali, President of Agatha Darlington and Agatha Foundation, says 1,500 pupils have benefited from the foundation’s donation of school bags and educational materials in four schools in Esan area of Edo.
Igabali disclosed this on Tuesday shortly after presenting the items to the beneficiaries at Udowo Primary School, Ugbokhare Primary School, Agua Primary School and Idinegbon, Eko-Iyoebhebhe primary School in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo.
He revealed that the back-to-school initiative was part of the foundation’s effort to support children returning to school.
According to him, the back-to-school initiative is our way of giving back to society and supporting the education and development of children in the community.
“I am from Ward 4, Unit 3, in Esan Central and I believe in giving back to society, especially to our schools and children.
“Our children are going back to school and we decided to provide them with complete school bags and other educational materials to support their education,” he said.
Igabali, who doubles as the Managing Director of Edo State Development and Building Control Agency (ESDBCA), said the initiative was aimed at complementing the efforts of Gov. Monday Okpebholo in improving education and creating opportunities for children.
He said the foundation would consider introducing scholarship programme.for children as part of its effort to contribute to the development of the community.
The foundation president urged other well-meaning individuals, particularly those who had attained positions of authority, to support their communities and contribute to the welfare and education of children.
He also commended Okpebholo for his initiatives across the state, saying individuals and organisations should complement government’s efforts through community-based interventions.
Igabali said the donation was only the beginning of the foundation’s intervention, adding that similar support would be extended to other wards and communities in Esan Central and beyond.
He called on his friends and associates to work at the grassroots to support development initiatives and mobilise residents for good governance.
Speaking on political support for the administration of Gov. Okpebholo, Igabali said stakeholders at the grassroots would work together to support the government and the policies of President Bola Tinubu.
“When God elevates us, it is our responsibility to give back to society.
“The governor has empowered us and chosen us to represent our communities in government and we must continue to represent him well.
“This is an opportunity for all of us to go back to the grassroots, because that is where we can contribute meaningfully to the development of our communities,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Rawlins Ekeoba, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esan Central Local Government Area, commended Igabali for the gesture.
Ekeoba said the donation would ease the burden on parents and provide pupils with the materials needed to return to school.
He urged other indigenes of Esan Central to emulate the initiative by supporting children and communities in their various wards.
The APC chairman said the gesture demonstrated that giving back to society was not necessarily about having everything, but having the willingness to support others.
Similarly, Mr Aidenojie Izokpu, Vice Chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area, described the donation as a welcome development.
Izokpu said individuals should give back to society from whatever they had, noting that everyone had passed through primary and secondary education.
He encouraged other individuals and organisations to replicate the gesture in their communities.
Some of the beneficiaries commended their benefactors for the kind gesture, praying that God Almighty would replenish their pockets in double folds. (NAN)(www.nannews)
AJOM/FEO