The wife of the Cross River State governor, Reverend Eyoanwan Otu has launched an educational scheme to encourage the enrollment of more than five thousand displaced and vulnerable children.
The scheme, tagged ‘Back-to-School Project’ and implemented through the Humanity Without Borders (HUWIB) Initiative, was launched at one of the primary schools within the Cameroonian refugee camp in Adagom, Ogoja local government area of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
Otu, who affirmed education as one of the biggest investments any society must make for the future generation, said that she was determined to ensure every child in Cross River State regardless of location, financial status of guardians, ethnicity and religion, has unfettered access to quality learning.
She said, “The greatness of every child and the greatness of Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole is hinged on the quality of education our children receive and the ease to which the child has access to education.”
Providing succour
Speaking further, the governor’s wife explained that the significance of launching the Back-to-School project in a refugee primary school was her commitment to providing succour to vulnerable children in Cross River State, noting “Refugees are considered, from my view, one of the most vulnerable in our society. That is the reason I am going to reach over 5,000 displaced and vulnerable children across the state.”
Mrs Otu commended the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) for assisting thousands of women and children at the camp, who sought refuge in Cross River due to the crisis within the Republic of Cameroon.
She said, “I am aware of the UNHCR educational mandate, which serves as one of the major protection pillars in providing support to both refugees and the host communities like Adagom, Ukende and many other areas where UNHCR operations exist. I, therefore, commend the commission for the assistance given so far to the families taking refuge within our state.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Stephen Odey described the intervention as the beginning of a new dawn for children in the camp, whose educational pursuit was truncated following the outbreak of the crisis in the neighbouring country.
Dr. Odey said, “This is one of the most heartwarming events in recent times. I would urge all well-meaning Nigerians and Cross River residents to emulate this gesture and create a better society for all. For us in the Ministry of Education, we pledge to support this initiative for vulnerable children in line with the ‘People First Agenda’ of this administration.”
In separate goodwill messages, the Commissioners for Sports, Mrs. Agnes Atsu; Information Technology, adr. Justin Bethel; Industry, Dr. Unimke Angioha; and that of Commerce, Mrs. Abigail Duke; as well as the Commissioner for Housing, Dr. Beatrice Igwe appreciated the wife of the governor for the initiative and pledged to support the back-to-school project.
Gratitude
The Chairperson of Adagom 1 settlement camp, Madam Bibiana Ngwa expressed appreciation to the wife of the governor, the people and the government of Cross River State especially the host community for accommodating thousands of refugees and appealing for sustainable livelihood development, potable water and healthcare.
The Director of the school urged the Reverend Otu and the Cross River State government through the Ministry of Education to support the payment of a monthly stipend to the volunteer teachers.
The ceremony was attended by traditional rulers from the host community and representatives of the UNHCR.
Dominica Nwabufo
