A fashion outfit based in Abuja, in partnership with Project 29 Foundation, has paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 10 students of Government Day Secondary School, Madalla, Niger State.
The founder of Wandei Foundation, Eniola Akinwande, said the gesture was part of the brand’s fifth anniversary celebration.
“I believe that success is nothing without touching the lives of other people,” she said.
Also, the founder of Project 29 Foundation, Goodness James, said the initiative was borne out of her passion to give back to the community.
She explained that she discovered a gap in mathematics learning at the school, prompting her to start the foundation.
“To celebrate my 29th birthday, I thought of giving out items to students, but I realised that would not be sustainable. So, I decided to start an after-school maths club,” she said.
She added that although the original target was 30 students, over 40 students are now actively enrolled in the programme.
“We teach them mathematics in fun and creative ways with a reward system, giving out calculators, mathematical sets, and four-figure tables to encourage the students and make learning fun,” she said, noting that the goal is to improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
James said the beneficiaries of the WAEC scholarships were selected based on their performance in an examination organised by the foundation.
She also disclosed that Project 29 would sponsor JAMB registration fees for the top three students, who are currently in SS2.
The principal of the school, Mr Abdullahi Abdulmalik, commended the foundation for the impact it is making.
“Project 29 has really improved the students’ abilities in mathematics,” he said.
“At the time they came in, we didn’t have a mathematics teacher. Now, most of the students participating in the programme are topping their classes in mathematics.”
Some parents also expressed gratitude over the intervention. Mr. Happy Edeh, a resident of Madalla originally from Rivers State, said the programme had made a visible impact on his son.
“Since he started attending the math club, he has become more serious in his studies,” he said.
Another parent, Mrs. Murufdeen Abeadum, shared a similar experience, saying her ward had also improved academically.
A cross-section of the students interviewed said they were happy with the initiative and expressed determination to keep working harder in their studies.
