The Bayelsa State Government has commended the Dr. Josephine Alfred Diete-Spiff Foundation, for the bold step in advancing the education and empowerment of the girl child in the Niger Delta region.
The foundation donated a large number of SSCE textbooks in different subjects to the Ministry of Education just after it hosted a recent soccer cup championship among female secondary school students across the eight local government areas of the state.
The commissioner for Education, Hon. Gentle Emela, while receiving the textbooks in his office, emphasized on the significant impact of such initiatives, adding that the donation came at a time when the plight of the girl child in our society demands urgent attention.
He lauded the founder and Queen of Twon Brass Kingdom, Dr. Josephine Alfred Diete-Spiff, for her unwavering commitment to empowering young girls to overcome barriers and achieve academic excellence, particularly through her generous donation.
“Today, we stand as witnesses to a remarkable act of generosity and commitment to education, particularly for the girl child.
These materials are not just books; they are tools of empowerment that will break barriers and open doors for countless young girls across our state.
“On behalf of the Bayelsa State Government, I extend our deepest gratitude to Her Majesty Queen Dr. Josephine Alfred Diete-Spiff and her foundation for this invaluable donation of SSCE textbooks in English, Mathematics, Physics, Geography, Chemistry, Literature, and other key subjects, published by University Press.
“Despite making up half of our population and serving as the bedrock of families and communities, the girl child continues to face systemic injustices and discrimination. This is why initiatives like the Queen Dr. Josephine Alfred Diete-Spiff Foundation’s efforts are a beacon of hope. By providing educational resources, the foundation is affirming that the girl child deserves every chance to succeed, to dream, and to lead.
“As we receive these textbooks, I want to assure the foundation and the people of Bayelsa State that these resources will be distributed equitably and used effectively to enhance the quality of education in our schools”, Emela said.
Presenting the materials, Dr. Josephine Alfred Diete-Spiff, who is also the president of the Queens of the Niger Delta Initiative, informed that the donation of the textbooks was part of the activities earmarked to end the maiden edition of the female soccer cup championship.
She said, “We are here to say thank you. I am here with my team to present to your ministry some books. These books were donated to my foundation by University Press, and I, in turn, donated them to the Ministry of Education. These books are basically for WAEC purposes.
“As a mother and an advocate for education, I firmly believe that the future of our beloved Bayelsa State lies in the quality of education we provide to our children. Today, I am honored to donate these textbooks to support our students as they prepare for their WAEC examinations.
“This gesture is a small step towards empowering our youths with the tools they need to excel academically and achieve their dream”, she said.
