Driven by unceasing passion to put smiles on the faces of people especially at the grassroots, the Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) has again given scholarships to two children whose parents were murdered in a gruesome manner by suspected herders.
The children – Nyiuma and Sughter Sewuese who are twins, aged five years had their parents and their younger sibling butchered on May 16, 2023 at midnight by unknown gunmen in their house at Tse-Angur, a community that is about 5km to Makurdi, Benue State capital.
Moved by their plight, President of RSDF, Barr. Paul Edeh, who personally visited the community recently announced that he will take care of their education till graduation at the university level.
The twins are currently in nursery one at Rophe Rohi Nursery and Primary missionary school established in January 2018, the only school in Tse-Angur, after a government school in the area was shut down some years ago due to the activities of killer herdsmen.
The missionary school is located on Km 10 along Naka road in Benue State.
While at the school, Barr. Edeh immediately paid N1 million as school fees of all the pupils, totaling 150 for the coming academic term as well as for the remaining roofing works on a building in the school.
“I was moved in tears to hear how the parents of these children struggle to ensure their kids go to school. To even know that some of them are without their loved ones calls for more concern.
“As a Foundation, we have continued to cater for the indigent young people and women in parts of the state and the country. And we are not relenting as God almighty blesses us,” he said.
The RSDF boss who own two thriving female football clubs in Nigeria – Honey Badgers and Naija Ratels moved round the school premises for inspection.
He also had face-to-face interaction with the pupils at all the classes.
Benue State Director of Sports Comrade Philip Ter Nongu who was part of his entourage encouraged the school children to be focused and aspire for greatness.
The school proprietor Mr Ayanfemi Ayanbamiji Nathaniel whose joy knew no bounds narrated his experience since he came to the community and how he came in contact with Barr. Edeh.
He said, “When I came to the community initially, I was scared, but later I heard a voice that this is the place. My wife and I sold our car to start the school project.
“I met some big people in the area thinking they will be of help but none helped till Barr. Edeh was passing around one day like an angel who came our way and later entered the school and paid for the roofing of the school building project.
“It was in February this year that he first came and donated hugely to the school building project which we already used for the roofing. So, today, he came again and gave us bigger support as well as school fees relief to all our parents including placing twin children on scholarship to university level.”
Barr Edeh who is vying for the position of Chairman of the Benue State Football Association is known for his philanthropic gestures towards the development of football and sports in general.
