CATAI, CASFOD donate N10m to Borno govt for schools supply affected by floods
By Ladi Dapson
A Coalition of NGOs, Center For Advocacy, Transparency & Accountability Initiative (CATAI), and Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD) have donated the sum of donations of N10,000,020 to the Borno State Government to purchase school uniforms for children affected by recent floods in Jere and Maiduguri.
The Executive Director CATAI, Abubakar Sadiq Muazu led the delegation along with, the Executive Director CASFOD), Benjamin John at a brief event to present the cheque to the State Commissioner for Education,Science Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
Sadiq said he led the delegation to condole with the people over recent flood disaster which destroyed lives and properties.
He informed the gathering that the two NGOs are members of Education in Emergency (EiE) Sector Group which prioritize access to qualify education, and safe learning for all the age school children.
He added that the magnitude of the destruction caused by recent floods especially to education sectors is overwhelming and needs urgent support from all and sundry.
“Aside the donation of N10,000,020 we presented to your Ministry, CATAI and CASFOD shall supply 700 school bags and books to further support students retention across the affected areas.
“We believe that this strategic intervention would alleviate the financial burden on parents as well as enhance enrollment in our schools,”he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director CASFOD), Benjamin John said they recognized the challenges faced by families in post-flood disaster, urging government to activate the mechanism that would safeguards schools after the flood disaster.
He reiterated that the EiE sector group would continue to partner and render necessary support to the ministry of education in view to ensure all child have access to quality education regardless of their status.
Responding, the Borno State Commissioner for Education,Science Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe lamented that recent flood disaster has left huge setback to the education calenders, noting he initiated a damage assessment so that all destroyed school infrastructure would be put back very quickly to enable children return to classrooms.
“Our teams inspected majority of our schools in the flood affected areas like Abbaganaram, Goni Kachallahari, old Maiduguri, Gomboru and others most of the children are without uniform or any writing materials.
He decried the magnitude of destruction: “you see waste evacuated is mostly dissolved paper from what was once textbooks, exercise books. And then when you look at houses, most of the refuse evacuated is what clothing and what is left of furniture. And this clothing included school uniforms. So to rebuild resilience of education is a very good thing.
“So your donations is timely, as you have pointed out it is meant for provision of school uniforms, school sandals for most affected Schools in Jere and Maiduguri. I can assure CATAI and CASFOD that it will be utilized judiciously. I thank you for this support,”he assured.
Our Correspondent reports that the intervention is set to benefit over 400,000 children, ensuring their education continues unhindered in irrespective of their background and status in the society.
