Group Chairman , Junic Group of Companies
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a move to encourage students in schools in Ibusa, Delta State, a Philanthropist, and an indigene of the Ibusa, Elder Acho Godwin Nonyalim,The Group Chairman of Junic Group of Companies,a Peace Ambassador and founder of the Junic Foundation, has indicated that he has donated 10,000 exercise books,school bags, shoes and other educational materials to primary and secondary school pupils in Ibusa and Oshimili North local government areas of the state.
Speaking to Grassroots Publishers, Elder Acho said his decision was borne out of the desire to ensure that as the schools were resuming for a new session, no child would have any reason to drop out of school.According to him, it had been part of his mission to give hope to the less-privileged students, noting that the writing and reading materials would help develop the pupils as well as assist indigent parents who may not be buoyant enough to purchase necessary books for their wards.
Junic Foundation, yesterday gave books, school bags, shoes and other educational materials to students in the Isieke High Street, Umuekea, Ibusa in Delta State.Some indigent pupils were also awarded various categories of scholarships by the foundation at a Children Peace Concert to mark the 2018 Children’s Back to School. Over 4000 students drawn from various schools within and outside Ibusa received one form of educational item or the other at the children’s fiesta which was held at the Isieke High Street. Elder Acho Godwin Nonyalim,said the gesture was part of the ‘Peace Education Campaign’and ‘Educational Materials for Every Child Initiatives’ of his organisation.
“This is part of our efforts to empower and unite Nigerian children through charity fiesta, peace education and Children’s back to school celebration. In line with its mandate of advocating peaceful one Nigeria, and of giving hope to every child, Junic Foundation has decided not just to celebrate the Nigerian child today. The comic books and other school items given out are our own way of saying we support the education and joy of the Nigerian child, irrespective of their background; students were drawn from both private and public schools from the Isieke and other quarters of Ibusa to attend the event. The foundation worked with different school authorities to ensure that pupils were made available for the empowerment,especially the less privileged. There is no discrimination,children here came from all quarters of Ibusa”, he said.
“When we make our children understand that they can get help and acceptance from any one and part of Nigeria, then a peaceful and a united nation of our dreams will be guaranteed. Some of the beneficiaries expressed delight, saying the kind gesture extended to them by the foundation was a major inspiration they needed to fulfil their dreams. Miss Ifeoma Okobi, a student of Ibusa Girls Secondary,said: “I am happy to be celebrated and given this educational materials today,and I pray God to bless the foundation.” Also, Master Chigbue Emeka, a pupil of Anioboshi Primary school,Ibusa, who was given notebooks,school bags, shoes and other educational materials,said the foundation had made the Children’s back to school more meaningful to him. Elder Acho G. Nonyalim is a father,the man of the people, gift from God to all students in Ibusa. We will always remember him as our pillar of educational empowerment,a beneficiary said.
Elder Acho G. Nonyalim stated that he is committed to taking out-of-school children back to school and giving scholarships to street children or orphans who cannot continue with their education to further their education, since the initiative began some years ago.He urged the Delta State government to emphasise the importance of reading in public schools, assuring that he would compliment and encourage more public schools to dedicate their time to learning.
He also called on other well-meaning Nigerians to participate in equipping schools with needed materials, adding that his gesture will continue as long as God continues to bless him.
Elder Acho G. Nonyalim also called on individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other corporate bodies to do more in the area of assisting pupils in rural communities, adding that the initiative was established to cater for such poor children by providing them educational materials.
By: Ike Abiagom