To improve on the Education standard in Ebonyi State, an NGO known as The Child's Place of Plan Initiative, TCPPI in partnership with United States of America Embassy in Nigeria has placed three indigent and brilliant students in three public schools on three years 0 level scholarship in Ebonyi State. The NGO also equipped and commissioned three Public Schools libraries in the State. The three schools include; Government Girls Technical School Agba in Ishielu LGA, Comprehensive Secondary School Oriuzor in Ezza North LGA and Government Secondary School, Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government Area.
In his address at the event, the National Coordinator of the NGO, Ambassador Israel Ekene Mbam noted that TCPPI focuses on revamping the education sector of Nigeria through scholarship to indigent but brilliant students in public schools, provision books and equipping of libraries to encourage reading culture among students.
Ambassador Mbam explained that beneficiaries of the three School Library Projects constructed and equipped with books were selected through a competition organized by TCPPI.
"These projects are the outcome of TCPPI 2019 program targeted at rebuilding the future of young and vulnerable students in Public Schools by establishing a mini-library and equipping it, award of O’level scholarship to some students and presentation of textbooks, exercise books and writing materials to indigent but brilliant children selected via a competition exercise.
"The inter schools competition among public schools across the 13 LGA of Ebonyi State was successfully held with the grand finale on 4th October,2019 at women Development Centre. The benefiting schools of these projects were selected based on their students’ performance in the competition.
"The first, second and third positions received an O’level scholarship for the period of three years. While their schools received, an award of excellence and these projects that have been completed and we are here gathered for the commissioning.
"TCPPI as an NGO is focused on revamping the education sector of Nigeria hence raising intellectually minded youth as change agent who will make all round lasting impact in our society. This vision is in tandem with the vision of the wife of the First Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Mrs. Eunice Ukamaka Egwu through “The Children Vacation Initiative” in 2004 that was aimed at raising the self-esteem of Ebonyi children and having them fully equipped and developed both socially, intellectually and psychologically to cope with the challenges of modern life as leaders of tomorrow. There is equally the need to reshape and refocus their orientation towards the right direction".
He went memory lane to explain how the NGO came to be. According to him, in 2005, the President of TCPPI, Amb. Reuben Anoke was in Junior Secondary three when an examination was conducted by the State government. He happened to emerge the best in his Local Government Area. His outstanding performance took about 105 of them to Los Angeles, California, United States under the Umbrella of International Center for Education and Youth Development (ICEYD) for leadership training and ultimately an O’level scholarship at the most prestigious secondary school in the State – Hope High British international.
"Today, Ambassador Anoke and others are giving back to the society through TCPPI in order to continue with her Excellency’s vision. The body has carefully followed the same trajectory, which was focused on organizing inter-school competition among public schools in the 13 LGAs of the State and selecting the best for O’level Scholarship award" he stated.
The national coordinator also revealed that since the inception of TCPPI, they have recorded numerous success some of which includes: award of O’level scholarship to about twenty indigent students amounting from twenty thousand naira to fifty thousand naira per session for three years. Training of about fifteen secondary school graduates in different skills ranging from: tailoring, electrical wiring, plumbing, carpentry, building and computer knowledge.
He added that the organization has also paid school fees and house rent for some students at the University level, engaged in the distribution of textbooks and exercise books to about 1000 students across the nation and have established library at two different public schools; National College Gboko, Benue State and Bilabiri Community Secondary School, Ekelebor, Bayelsa State.
On how beneficiaries of the projects were selected, he hinted that the NGO held her 2019/2020 selection process that started on May 8, 2019 with an examination at the 13 LGAs of the State and thereafter, the overall best three from each LGA were invited for inter LGA competition at the State level on June 29, 2019 and the grand finale/award presentation on 4th October, 2019.
"The best students from each LGA and the best three overall were awarded an O’level scholarship while others went home with consolation prices. The best three schools received the award to equip or establish library at their schools, which is supported by the United States through her Embassy at Abuja. We also presented to the public 13 ambassadors representing the 13 LGA of the State. The target is to train them on ICT to enable us train about Ten Thousand students in Ebonyi State in the next five years. We are very much determined in revamping the education sector of Nigeria and we have started in doing certain things that will serve as foundation towards the actualization of such dream".
He advised the benefitting students to be exemplary children and regard themselves as leaders of tomorrow.
In their remarks, dignitaries, Principals and Students of the Schools, including Rev. Fr. Matthew Orie, Mr. Okoro Titus Ogbu, Chief Ogbonnaya Okpara, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Obiechi and Mr. Alegu John appreciated the honor done to them by TCPPI and promised to make effective use of the library.
In an interview with Journalists, the Education Coordinator of TCPPI Amb. Emeka Iloke and the program Coordinator Amb. Christian Obasi said the NGO would not relent in her efforts at helping to raise the standard of Education in Nigeria. They called on spirited individuals and groups to partner with TCPPI to achieve more for the benefit of students and the society.
Highlights of the commissioning ceremony were award of scholarship to best students of the schools, dance and special presentations from the schools students.
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