Advocate Launches Scholarship Program To Support Vulnerable Children

A renowned economist and education advocate, Dr Victoria Hauwa Jatto, has launched a scholarship programme to support vulnerable children in Egbiraland as the Diocese of Okene celebrates its 18th anniversary.

The Scholarship Programme aims to provide uninterrupted access to quality education for children from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds, especially those from widows’ homes and families facing financial hardship.

In a letter to the Bishop and Chief Missioner of the Diocese, the Rt Rev Emmanuel Isezuo Onsachi, Dr Jatto congratulated the Diocese on its milestone while recognising its broader 109-year legacy of spiritual growth, community development and social progress across Egbiraland in Kogi State.

She described the scholarship as a long-term investment in young people and society at large, emphasising that economic development is deeply rooted in access to quality education.

According to her, no child should be held back by circumstances beyond their control. The timing of the launch, coinciding with Children’s Day, makes it an especially timely and meaningful gift to the children of the Diocese.

Under the programme, 18 beneficiaries will receive full sponsorship for their primary and secondary education. High-achieving students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance can continue to receive support through university if they gain admission to public institutions.

A joint committee of representatives from the Diocese and Dr Jatto’s team will manage a transparent application and verification process, monitor progress and ensure accountability.

This initiative arrives at a critical moment. Nigeria still has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world. While Kogi State performs relatively better, many vulnerable children in Egbiraland continue to face barriers that disrupt their education. In this context, the scholarship offers a timely and practical response to a pressing challenge.

The economic benefits of such investments are clear and far-reaching. Educating these children will increase their future earnings, break cycles of poverty and build a more productive workforce for the region. As Dr Jatto often highlights through her work in development economics, human capital developed through quality education drives stronger local economies in sectors such as agriculture and small businesses, while delivering broader gains in health, stability and community prosperity.

This scholarship honours the Diocese’s enduring contributions while positioning education as a powerful driver of sustainable prosperity in Egbiraland. It stands as a thoughtful intervention with the potential to create a lasting impact on beneficiaries, their families and the wider church community.