…as Engr Kashim Ali, an Engr Rose Madaki Donated books
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), has donated textbooks and other instructional materials to pupils of three schools of LGEA Central Primary Schools, Ofugo, Ankpa LGA, Kogi State to mark the World international Literacy day in Kogi State.
APWEN celebrates day with Kogi State Ministry of Education Science and Technology at OFugo LGA where they distributed 451 textbooks in English Science, Mathematics , technology and computer books to all the students of the school under the Invent It, Build It Programme.
Presenting the materials to the pupils at the school premises on Wednesday, Engr. Mrs Felecia Agubata, the APWEN President, urged the pupils to make good use of the textbooks to have a brighter future.
Agubata, who was represented by Engr. Mrs Margaret Ojo, the state’s Chairperson of APWEN, said the gesture was a follow-up on its program, tagged: ”Invent it, Build it”, aimed at inspiring pupils especially girl-child to take up the sciences to pursue a career in Engineering.”
She said that the textbooks were donated by the former President of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Kashim Ali, who had his primary education at the school, in collaboration with APWEN.
She noted that Ali, had also on April 25, in collaboration with APWEN donated uniforms to 456 pupils, and gave 10 laptops and scholarships award to 10 pupils cut across various primary schools in Ankpa LGA.
She added that they had also did a ground breaking ceremony of a Science and Technology Laboratory, to be built by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and managed by APWEN.
”Today, we have donated 451 textbooks including teacher’s work books from primary one to six. This gesture is to support the pupils in their educational career,” she said.
She advised the teachers to make good use of those books for the benefit of the pupils and not to sell them, saying, ”It is free for the children and not to be sold to them”.
She enjoined the pupils to be serious with their studies and make good use of the textbooks, and urged them to take up career in science and engineering in the nearest future.
She stressed that APWEN was encouraging pupils especially girls by giving them things that could enhance their interest in taking up sciences and engineering at the long run as a profession.
In her remarks, Kogi Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, extolled the former COREN President and APWEN for the gesture, while urging individuals, groups and organisations to adopt a school in their domain.
”We are very grateful for the textbooks, and we are also not unaware of the uniforms, laptops and scholarships given to our pupils. We are excited; everyone should adopt a school”, she said.
Represented by Mr Ikwuje Pius, the Director Basic and Secondary Education in the ministry, Osikoya said that the gesture had reduced the burden on government providing essential services including uniforms and instructional materials.
According to her, the donation of the textbooks was also part of activities by the ministry to commemorate the ”World International Literacy Day”, celebrated every Sept. 8.
She, therefore, enjoined the pupils, teachers and parents to ensure proper maintenance of what had been given to them in order to attract more.
The commissioner further stressed the need for all stakeholders to focus more attention on science, technical and vocational sector in order to have a robust economy in the state and Nigeria at large.
Mrs Grace Okpanachi, who spoke on behalf of Education Secretary in Ankpa LGA, commended the gesture, and thanked the commissioner for given the schools adequate attention. Okpanachi stressed that no such attention had been given to the school ever since it was established in 1948, saying,”we are very grateful”.
Miss Karimat Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of other pupils, thanked the donors for the textbooks, saying, ”We are happy for our textbooks today, and uniforms which they gave us the other time”.
APWEN counsels Men and Women to collaborate together to achieve Sustainable Development Goals