More than 23,600 children have been awarded scholarships in primary and secondary schools within Adadama village, Abi local government area of Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The scholarships awarded to children of Adadama village was instituted over 9 years ago by the former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Women Leader and Nigerian Minister, Dr. Betta Edu.
During an interaction with a cross section of Adadama people, a representative of the youths, Lebo Enya eulogized Edu for her steadfast commitment to ensuring every child, irrespective of financial capabilities of their families, have access to education.
Enya also stated, “Betta Edu does not pay fees alone, she donates exercise books, school bags and sometimes provide classroom seats for pupils and students in the community. She even participates in sharing these items to every child.
“She has been paying the school fees for nine years now. She also made significant contributions to the Migrant school. Her intervention prevented the government from shutting down that school.
“Furthermore, in her efforts to ensure those migrant children acquired the best education, she paid their Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) fees, which in a way prevented them from taking to the streets. That move was commendable,” he stressed.
A mother, whose children have been beneficiaries of the gesture, Mrs. Glory Lebo praised Edu for the scholarship programme, which has given many parents financial relief, enabling them to plow money into the upkeep of their households.
She said, “this our daughter has done so much for our community. She has paid fees for our children, mine have and are still being sponsored by her in primary and secondary schools. She has given them school bags and exercise books in fact, I do not buy anything except food and clothes for my children.
“What she has been doing has also helped me to focus on other needs as a widow, a single mother. I have only one prayer for her, may the voices of those children she has helped to educate for these nine years ring in God’s ear,” she prayed.
Similarly, the traditional leader of Adadama, Eval Nelson appreciated the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs for covering the tuition of the children this year, insisting that the scholarship was impacting positively on countless families.
Nelson said, “in a world often marked by adversities and inequality, our daughter, Dr Betta Edu stands as a shining example of the difference one person can make through a steadfast commitment to serving others. As a community, we would continue to pray and support her irrespective of challenges.
“We believe that God never fails. We love her; she remains our precious daughter and we will continue to support her because even last year, she still paid the fees for every child each term.
“Even when we thought we should excuse her, she refused and said her commitment to these children is not politics, but service to God. This is 2025, she has again paid the fees for every child and distributed exercise books and more. We thank God for her,” Nelson maintained.
In a brief remark, the former APC National Women Leader and minister, Dr. Edu said her gesture was to the service of God and contributing to the growth of the community, particularly grassroots development.
According to Edu, many children are abandoned and denied access to education largely due to financial constraints and economic challenges, especially the hardship arising from the protracted boundary conflict that hindered farming in the community.
Edu, who expressed conviction in the transformative power of education for children, said “I am a beneficiary of quality education even as a girl child. I need to ensure my ward produces many successful, educated people that would drive development.”
The scholarships award and distribution of educational materials elicited excitement from the children, who were happy to interact with Edu.
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