The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, has distributed back-to-school materials to 1,000 indigent pupils from 50 public schools across the state’s 17 local government areas, saying background should not be a barrier to greatness.
The intervention was organised by the Safe Tent Care Initiative in collaboration with the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB).
Mrs. Otti said the programme was designed to support families struggling to provide essential educational materials for their children and ensure that pupils returned to school adequately equipped and motivated to learn.
She explained that the initiative reached 1,000 pupils from 50 public schools across the state’s 17 local government areas, with particular attention to children from underserved rural communities.
“The beneficiaries were selected from disadvantaged families, with consideration given to pupils’ academic performance and efforts to encourage educational excellence.
“This programme is an extension of our commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable children and supporting families facing economic difficulties,” she added.
The governor’s wife recalled that the previous edition also provided assistance to pupils and expressed hope that the programme would expand to reach more than 2,000 children in subsequent editions.
She commended the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, head teachers and other education stakeholders for their collaboration in identifying beneficiaries and ensuring the successful implementation of the programme.
She also acknowledged the contributions of individuals and organisations committed to supporting underserved children, including the Peter NWachukwu Foundation, whose work, she said, inspired her to pursue similar humanitarian interventions.
Mrs. Otti called on individuals, businesses and organisations to support the initiative’s humanitarian programmes, announcing plans for the Rising Gems Talent Show and Gospel Music Concert to raise funds for vulnerable children and other beneficiaries across the state.
The Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, Lady Ezihe Lydia Onuoha, described the programme as a demonstration of the importance of collective responsibility in advancing children’s education.
She said, “Every child deserves access to the resources and encouragement necessary to learn, excel and fulfil their potential, irrespective of family circumstances or geographical location”.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Blessing Phillip described the intervention as an important contribution to efforts to address the challenges faced by vulnerable children and low-income households.
She added, “Supporting children’s education and strengthening household welfare are important components of social protection, particularly for families at risk of being excluded from opportunities for development.”
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinenye Nwaka, said the initiative had provided encouragement to pupils and relief to parents, adding that the intervention went beyond the distribution of school bags and books to represent an investment in the future of Abia children.
The event ended with renewed calls for stronger partnerships to support children from underserved communities and ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent them from accessing educational opportunities.