The Management of Ebira Education Trust Fund has assured those who donated money towards the payment of WAEC fees of about 150 Orphans and indigent students from kogi central of transparency and accountability in the handling of the resources.
The Chairman, Board Of Trustees (BoT), of Ebira Education Trust Fund, Professor Muhammed S Audu, stated this on Tuesday at Government Girls Science Secondary School, Otutu, Okene during the presentation of cheques for the payment of WAEC fees of deserving students in kogi central
The Trust Fund noted that it got to know very lately that over 1, 700 students from the area were unable to register for the external examination due to lack of money, hence the need for timely intervention.
They noted that only about 150 students would be taken care of in this first phase and appealed to individuals and Organization to come to the aid of the trust Fund so that more students can be taken care of.
They also said that efforts were made to ensure that indigent students from the five local government areas in kogi central benefited from the intervention.
The Chairman’s address which was presented by the secretary of the BoT, Alhaji Hussein Obadaki reads in part
“Itās with great pleasure that I send this message to you all present on this very unique occasion of presenting cheques to principals of schools in Kogi Central Senatorial District for payment of WAEC fees to well deserving students of the district.
“Undoubtedly, we didnāt get sufficient notice which would have enabled us source for more financial assistance to support our present intervention.
“As more support comes up, weāll not hesitate to reach the Principals to assist larger numbers of their students to pay their WAEC fees.
“I hereby implore the Principals to be highly transparent and accountable in applying the money theyāre receiving today for the sole purpose of what itās meant for.
“Members of BoT of the Ebira Education Trust Fund, and/or their representatives or appointees will pay visits to beneficiary schools to verify if payments have been judiciously made as per the directives and instructions given to the Principals.
“I seize this opportunity to immensely thank all personalities and organisations who donated to this intervention. Weāre sorry for the short notice requesting for your intervention. Needless to say that we were somewhat caught unawares.
“Itās our fervent prayer that Almighty God will greatly reward you/your organisations as well as replenish your pockets. May you all succeed at the highest level of your endeavours. I hereby assure you, with honesty and sincerity of purpose, that all donations will be judiciously applied and accounted for, and our efforts will, in addition, be documented in the public domain, but in the larger specific interest of individual donor.
“I canāt end this address without thanking the Secretary and other members of BoT who took this intervention as their baby despite the very short notice. We canāt thank you enough. By His Grace, Almighty God will do the needful, and reward you all accordingly.
“Ebira Youth Congress! We appreciate all your efforts in the present regard and in your mandate to widen the frontiers of knowledge of Kogi Central Youths. Please, letās be more proactive to ensure that projects needing our interventions in future come to our notice in good time.
“Finally, hearty congratulations to all the beneficiaries of this intervention and their Principals. Please donāt betray the trust reposed on you all.
The secretary of ANCOPSS, Abiodun A. Bello who spoke on behalf of the members expressed appreciation to the Ebira Education Trust Fund and those who have donated money towards the payment of WAEC fees for the indigent students from the area.
He assured the Board that his members will be accountable and transparent in the handling of the fund, saying that only those who deserved to benefit would be considered.
“We are indeed very grateful for this kind gesture. To the principals remember that you will be held accountable and liable for the management of this money. I therefore urged you to be transparent in the way you disburse the money.
Those who donated money towards the payment of WAEC fees to the over 150 students in the area are;
His Eminence, Engr Joseph Makoju,
Alh Abubakar Sanusi (Gamji),
Prof Sunny Ododo and the Dynamic Ebira Friends Club in Nigeria (DE- FRIENDS), Okene, Kogi State. This is one of the most developmental oriented active club in Ebira Land, ably led by Dr Ahmed Tijani Ajayi.