The management and children of the Home for the Needy Foundation have expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for distributing exercise books and other writing materials to children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Uhogua, Ovia North East Local Government Area, ahead of the new academic term.
The commendation followed a visit to the camp on Sunday, during which the materials were presented to the children as schools across the state prepare to resume for another academic session.
The intervention provided a welcome relief for the children, many of whom are preparing to return to school with renewed hope and the basic materials needed for their studies.
Among the beneficiaries were Unity Moses, an SS1 student; Joy Haruna, a JSS1 student; and Barnabas Barka, an SS3 student. The students expressed gratitude to the state government for remembering them ahead of resumption.
They said the exercise books and writing materials would help them prepare adequately for the new term, adding that the gesture had made them feel remembered and supported in their pursuit of education.
For Mrs Evelyn Omigie, Supervisor of the camp, the intervention could not have come at a better time.
She described the gesture as “timely,” saying the provision of learning materials would ease some of the educational challenges confronting the children as they prepare to return to school.
Mrs Omigie, however, appealed for further financial assistance for students in tertiary institutions and those seeking admission into universities. She said additional support was particularly needed to enable such students meet registration and other educational expenses.
Presenting the books and writing materials, the Government House Chaplain and Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Apostle Sule Faraday, said the gesture was part of the Edo State Government’s continued support for the children at the camp.
He said the intervention was designed to complement the support provided by the Monday Okpebholo administration over the years, stressing that children living in displacement should not be denied opportunities available to their peers.
According to him, the administration is committed to ensuring that “children, both displaced and non-displaced, are treated as equals” and given the necessary tools to thrive academically.
Beyond the distribution of exercise books and writing materials, the government also rewarded a cash gift of 400,000 naira to students seeking admission and registration into higher institutions.