Diaspora Group Woos School Children With Incentives In Akwa Ibom

A diaspora group, the Mboho Ndito Ibibio (MNI) in Washington DC, United States has launched an intervention scheme to offer scholarship and provide educational incentives to motivate pupils in public primary schools to embrace education as a springboard towards honing their skills as leaders of tomorrow in Akwa Ibom State.

The group expressed dismay over the unattractive public education system in the state, forcing children’s apathy to embrace basic education.

Towards this end, the President of the MNI in Washington DC, Ukoiden Esema, said the forum was disturbed by the problem and decided to set up a committee to launch an interventionist scheme to curtail the out-of-school children menace.

Aside scholarships and other community projects, the group on Wednesday also donated educational materials including books, writing materials, school bags, and other items to over 250 pupils drawn from four primary schools in Mkpat Enin local government area in the first phase of the scheme.

Addressing the beneficiaries drawn from Qua Iboe Church Primary School, Ikot Obio Ndoho; Saint Paul Catholic School, Ekim; Godly Heritage Model School and Sheda Nursery and Primary School, Ikot Aba, Esema, explained that the resolution was reached after careful research on the most pressing areas for urgent intervention.

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“Education is the key to the children’s future and that’s why the committee picked on education and scholarship intervention,” he recalled.

He commended Governor Umo Eno for his vision in investing massively to revamp the education sector under the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his government.

The Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr. Idongesit Etiebet, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Stella Etukakpan, represented by a senior official of the ministry, Mrs. Mercy Okure, commended the group for the intervention, noting that the scheme would go a long way towards curbing incidences of out -of-school children in rural Akwa Ibom.

“The initiative will help in taking the children off the streets,” she stressed, and called on other public-spirited individuals, corporate organisations, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other non-state actors to emulate the MNI.

The Project Coordinator, Mrs Theresa Donatus, thanked the organisers of the project and the coordinators for the gesture.

“The joy and gratitude on the faces of the children and their parents were deeply moving, as they felt a renewed sense of belonging and connection with those abroad, who care for their future.

“Together, we have provided essential resources and learning materials to young minds who needed them most,” she said.