NEHA CONSULTATIVE FORUM DISTRIBUTES FREE EDUCATION MATERIALS TO FOSTER CONTINUOUS LEARNING
By Patrick Gbuchanye
With a view to encourage learning and cushion high cost of academic materials; concerned indigenes of Neha Quarters in Ozanogogo, Ika South Local Government named NEHA Consultative Forum on Saturday August 31, 2024, distributed free educational materials to pupils and students of Iduneha Community.
The members of NEHA Consultative Forum include Samson Akowe, Mathew Ogala, Festus Okorro Boi, Stanley Eka, Edwin Aiyudu, Uche Ebu, Neiru Sunday, Denis Iyekegbe, Caroline Agbi and Omozie Igbedion Okumagba.
The event which held at Iduneha Community Hall, Oza-Nogogo benefited ninety-nine (99) persons who received free school bags, nine hundred and ninety exercise books, ninety-nine mathematical sets, and other writing materials.
Briefly speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Rev. Charles Okunbor, harped on the importance of education as a meeting point for both the children of the poor and the children of the rich. He urged parents and guardians to pay the prize by making the education of their children and wards a top priority.
Rev. Okunbor further enjoined the beneficiaries to make proper use of the educational materials given to them while appreciating the donors who are sons of Iduneha Community for giving back to their people.
One of the delegates of Neha Consultative Forum who was on ground to ensure the success of the exercise, Mr. Uche Ebu said the gesture was aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and also to encourage the children in their educational pursuit.
Mr. Ebu disclosed that all members of Neha Consultative Forum are indigenes of Iduneha Community. He added that the beneficiaries of the free educational materials were primary school pupils and secondary students (both indigenes and non indigenes) resident in Iduneha Community.
He disclosed that members of Neha Consultative Forum will gather again for second edition of the exercise on 1st of October this year. According to him, “This is one of the ways the Forum can encourage quality education in Iduneha Community.
He appealed to the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Delta State through the Chief Inspector of Education in Ika South LG, Mr. Idume Enahoro who was present at the occasion, to give urgent attention to the schools in Oza-Nogogo that are in dire need of teachers.
He promised that his community will provide free accommodation for the teachers and also, give them free land to cultivate any crop of their choice if the need for farming arises.
Meanwhile, the Chief Inspector of Education, Ika South, Mr Idume Enahoro, in his remark at the occasion appreciated members of Neha Consultative Forum for the educational support to pupils and students in their community. He advised the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by working hard in their studies. He further urged the group not to relent in the good work they are doing for their community.
Earlier in his speech, the United Kingdom (UK) based business man and Chairman, Neha Consultative Forum; Mr. Samson Akowe advised primary school pupils and students of secondary schools in Ozanogogo on the need for education which according to him has never been a scam.
Mr. Akowe speaking through his representative, Mr. Godwin Aigui narrated how he could not complete his primary school education due to poverty. He said he left the village with nothing but with hope and determination to succeed, today he has graduated from London University.
He encouraged the students not to allow where they were born to determine their present and future. “Dream big, be fearless, drive forward with purpose and you will succeed”, he said.
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He appreciated God Almighty who gave them the privilege to give back to their community and also appreciated every member of Neha Consultative Forum for their tireless efforts in making the day a reality.
Meanwhile, Mr. Edwin Nosakhare Aiyudu, an Assistant Chief Academic Technologist, Department of Performing Arts and Film Studies, Kwara State University while delivering a lecture on the Importance of Education in our community, stated that the importance of education on the children cannot be overemphasized as it holds the key to sustainable societal growth and development.
Mr. Aiyudu stated that our contemporary societal challenges have given most of our youths a fake sense of socio-economic orientation, saying, “The youths no longer believe in the power of education. Consequently, most of our youths now go about life pursuing quick wealth through unconventional means and in some cases adopting the ‘JAPA’ syndrome which is leaving the country at all cost irrespective of their educational background. The few educated ones who travel end up contributing to professional brain drain in our dear country”, he decried.
He appealed to the children and youths to shun social vices and rededicate themselves to education which he said has no age limit. Mr. Aiyudu also called on parents to take delight in properly educating their children at all cost.