The House of Reps member for AMAC/Bwari federal constituency, Hon. Obika Chinedu, has joined forces with Health Education Agriculture Development Africa Initiative, HEARD Africa, to provide essential support to 1,000 indigent children in AMAC and Bwari Area Councils.
The initiative tagged, “Reach a Child Campaign,” which kicked off on Friday in Junior Secondary Schools of Papei and Kabusa, encompasses a multifaceted approach, aimed at equipping students with the tools they need to succeed and thrive despite their disadvantaged circumstances.
The campaign includes the distribution of educational materials, a set of mathematical instruments, personal care items, including toothbrushes and toothpaste, were provided for the children’s well-being.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, Chinedu, called for a state of emergency to be declared in the education sector.
“The issue of education problems in our city needs urgent attention. I have already conveyed to the FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike, that an emergency should be declared in the education sector in FCT.”
According to the lawmaker, “I will say that it’s very disheartening that the past honorable minister was returning money to the coffers of government in billions when the schools in FCT are in shambles. when we don’t have roads in our community. When the hospitals we have today are in FCT we were built by the military.That was very disgraceful.”
Lamenting on the deplorable conditions of schools visited, the Lawmaker noted that schools in FCT, which is the seat of power, should have infrastructure that can be modelled by other states.
“Abuja should be a pacesetter state for others to emulate from. Primary schools where these children are coming from are the worst of. JSS is the worst of all, go to the primary schools we have in FCT. No roof, no chairs. I went during the elections, the school had about 620 pupils and 9 teachers, only 5 were present to the school. The future of that 620 pupils is already at stake,”he said.
Earlier, in her remarks, the Executive Director of HEARD Africa, Akaoma Onyemelukwe, stated that the first phase of the campaign in five Junior Secondary Schools was chosen to provide support to the children in JSS Mpape, JSS Kabusa, JSS Shere, JSS Ozozo, JSS Nyanaya 1.
She revealed that 200 students in JSS Kabusa will receive the educational items and will also support in the sensitization of school children and teachers on Gender Based Violence; introduction of creative sessions in schools, facilitation of Gender Clubs across 5 cohorts using adapted Gender based Toolkit, supported adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene management
She said “We will organize an inter school quiz competition organize and mentor children in the Gender, Clubs, Girls leadership Programme and WASH clubs.”
In her response, principal of JSS Kabusa, Mrs Helen Nzeh expressed gratitude to the duo for the support while requesting that her school needs chairs.
