JAKIN N.G.O, a Lagos based Non-Governmental Organization has gifted 750 orphans and vulnerable school children from 250 indigent households in Lagos, branded rechargeable transistor radios, a dozen of notebooks each, and sets of stationaries ahead of schools resumption across the country.
The learning equipments were given to the children during the 11th edition of the NGO’s annual Dress a Child For School Project, in celebration of International Literacy Day.
Themed Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, the 2020 edition of the project was geared towards bridging the gap caused in the education sector by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the inception of the project in 2010, 4,750 orphans and vulnerable children in Lagos state has benefited from the project, receiving items such as new school uniforms, school bags, books amongst other necessities for the resumption of new academic session.
However, this year, the Transistor radio became necessary as a result of the impact of deadly Coronavirus pandemic on education in Nigeria.
It will be recalled that all schools in Nigeria were in March shut down due to the fast spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. Leaving students out of the school premises for over 5 months.
While Private schools had turned to online platforms to keep their students active educationally, Indigent children were totally left out as a result of their inability to access internet facilities and other means of learning in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, Mrs. Olubukola Adebiyi – JAKIN N.G.O President who thanked all philanthropists and organizations that supported the project, wished all students the best as they prepare for school resumption in line with government’s directive.
“I am extremely grateful to all the philanthropist, business organizations, groups and faith-based organizations home and abroad who responded to our clarion call to support the project especially Gamesville foundation our 2020 Dress a Child for School Project Lead partner. Your priceless support despite the effect of COVID-19 on the economy made 2020 edition of JAKIN NGO annual dress a child for school project possible.
“We wish our children the best, as they prepare for school resumption as guided by the Ministry of Education and the government.” she said.
Also speaking as the Chairperson of the Occasion during the presentation ceremony was Ms Chidinma Obi, the Co-Founder Gamesville foundation the Project lead Sponsor who charged the students to be problem solvers and solution providers in their generation.
Present at the ceremony includes a representative of Lagos State Ministry of Education District 4 Tutor General Permanent Secretary as the Guest Speaker , representative of Hon. Omiyale Chairman Yaba Local Council Development Area, representative of the Education Secretary Mainland LG Education Authority, and Chief Francis Ogunbanjo representative of the Olu of Iwaya.