WRITTEN BY GORDI UDEAJAH
Abia state governor’s wife, Priscilla Otti has kick-started a ‘Back-to- School Outreach’ programme for school children who are about to return from holiday.
The programme, which is being undertaken under the arges of the ” Safe Tent Care Initiative” that has Mrs Otti herself , as President, each of the 1,000 indigent pupils selected from across the state, will be supported with essential school kits comprising bags, exercise books and other essential School materials, including ‘ hope ‘
Speaking in Umuahia, the state capital , while kick- starting the distribution of the materials to 300 pupils of Abia Central District,
the state first Lady said that the plan was to so reach out to 1000 indigent primary school pupils across the 17 Councils of the state.
” This outreach is more than a momentary gesture. It is part of a movement toward a future where every child in every ward of Abia has what she or he needs to learn, to grow, to thrive, and together, with vision, dedication, and love, we will walk this journey one step at a time.
” Through this, we will ensure that indigent children — wherever they are, they have access to the essential tools of learning, and that free and compulsory education is not just a policy, but a lived reality”
Mrs Otti, who announced that her husband, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, is a living testimony of what education can do, having been born into humble beginnings by a pastor father and a mother who traded in the market, and he never let circumstances define his destiny, disclosed that for over fifteen years ago, a digital Library was built at Babcock University by ‘Alex Otti Foundation’ as a demonstration of his belief in the power of Education/ knowledge.
” Today, it is this same spirit that guided governor Otti’s administration’s extant policy of free and compulsory education from Primary One to Junior Secondary School Three in all public schools in Abia State, she added that it also motivated this outreach, which complements government’s broader development plan, to ensure that no child is left behind because of lack of materials, or because their parents cannot afford basic supplies.
Noting that this effort would not have been possible without the cooperation, generosity, and compassion of key partners, Mrs Otti, therefore thanked the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board ( ASUBEB ) for managing and improving basic education in the state, for supporting these schools, and being a crucial partner in this mission, and also commended Dr. Isaiah Abali who she announced donated over 3,000 exercise books for the children, and Mr. Joe Onwuka who donated 1,000 exercise books with the promise to increase them to total of 10,000.
She described these acts of generosity as powerful, inspiring and encouraging stressing that they multiply hope, and send a message that education is everyone’s business, stating that ” investing in education raises living standards, strengthens communities, gives children confidence and dignity. Because when you equip a child with a book, a pen, school supplies, you do more than just supply material goods.
The State first Lady tasked the pupils to treat what they receive as essential tools to learn with, explore, and dream, be regular in school attendance, with keen curiosity and strong effort.
She also urged parents and guardians to walk this journey with their children, ensure they go to school, encourage their reading at home, help them with their homework, and thus be their first teachers.
To teachers and educational leaders, who she stated hold the hands of the future, she urged them to each with care, encourage the children patiently , guide with compassion, and recognize each child’s potential.
Describing Education Partners and Donors role and generosity matters as crucial, Mrs Otti remarked ” your willingness to contribute sends ripple effects far beyond the classroom. Let this effort grow, let your support spread, and let others see your example”.
