A non-governmental organization (NGO), the Future Guardians Initiative (FGI), has rewarded 24 intelligent pupils and six teachers of LEA Primary School, Zone C, Apo Resettlement, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of measures to encourage quality education.

The beneficiaries include pupils who took 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in their classes (from Primary 1 to 6), while overall best pupils from each of the classes were also rewarded.

Addressing journalists at the event, founder of the NGO, Mr Chidiebere Eze, said the organization has the award of scholarships to deserving pupils as part of its long term plans as it is interested in the future of children, whom he described as future leaders.

He said: “We have been doing this since 2016. We try to encourage school children by rewarding the brilliant ones. This is the third edition of our initiatives. In 2016, we rewarded pupils of a school in Nasarawa state. In 2018, we came to this school and rewarded brilliant pupils with education materials.

“We decided to return to this school today to reward brilliant pupils with education materials, including water flasks, books, pen, among others. We’ll also reward outstanding teachers. Of a truth, a lot of things have changed since the last time we came here in 2018.

“It is a pointer to the fact that this present government is doing everything possible to encourage the education of children and should be commended. I was once a teacher, so I understand what it means to put facilities in place for the education of children.”

Pupils and teachers of LEA Primary School, Apo, posing with officials of Future Guardians Initiatives, during a visit of the NGO to the school in Abuja, Friday.

He added: “In our long time plan, we want to introduce scholarship schemes for school children. The outstanding pupils will be selected from different classes and awarded scholarships. We will also visit other schools to reward outstanding pupils and teachers. That way they will be motivated to continue contributing their quota to national development.

“Also, as the pupils and teachers embark on a long vacation, I’ll advise parents to enrol their wards in productive ventures, especially skill acquisition. It will help to keep them busy and productive by the time they resume in different classes next year. They are future guardians, leaders of tomorrow and should be given needed support to excel.

“It is also our hope to collaborate with other NGOs. No man is an island. If we can join hands to improve the future of Nigerian children, the better for all of us as the betterment of Nigerian children is our priority. School teachers are also encouraged to continue doing their best for the children so that they can train children they will be proud of in the future.”

Also speaking, the Head-teacher of the school, Chief Sir. Goje S. Gupada, said reward of intelligent pupils is a good initiative by the NGO, even as he advised pupils, parents and teachers to make good use of the long vacation.

He said: “We’re going on vacation today and will resume on 8th September, so it’s going to be a long holiday for the pupils. Therefore, I’ll advise parents to enrol their children in skill acquisition. I was elated that the Future Guardians Initiative chose this school for the reward of intelligent pupils.

“It is always good for intelligence to be rewarded. Those who will not be rewarded today should work harder so that they can be rewarded next time. As teachers, we will always do our best for the pupils. Hence, we’ll always appreciate the intervention of organizations.”

The legendary musician Charles Oputa, well known by his stage name Charly Boy, has advised Nigerian leaders to never forget that power is fleeting.

The Area Fada made this claim while citing the case study of Chibuike Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State, who described how the former Minister was required to stay in the same departure lounge at the Abuja International Airport as him.

The activist wrote on X, “Time & Tides; Nigerian Mumu Leaders; After your reign ends:

“The duplicity has vanished. The acolytes have vanished. The scumbags have vanished.

“MOPOL security personnel have left. DSS have been removed. Troops are moved around. The FAAN employees no longer tremble or shudder in your presence.

“You can’t use the Rivers State aircraft anymore. 9. Your own income is insufficient to cover the cost of renting an airplane.

Then, while I (an Alagbado guy) wait for an airplane that was delayed by an hour, Amaechi must remain in the same departure lounge in Abuja.

“Please keep in mind that whatever position you currently hold that makes you feel better than your coworkers is only transitory. Strength is fleeting.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that the Federal Government has embarked on key transformative policies to create a conducive learning environment across the country.

Tinubu, who stated this at the 2024 National Children’s Day celebration in Abuja on Monday, added that the Federal Government had also established the National Education Data System, approved skills development for all levels of education and teachers training in digital skills.

The President said that government is committed to establishing 24 skills and innovation hubs and Entrepreneurship Centres across the country, even as it is set to inaugurate private sector Innovation Enterprise Centres across the country to deliver on the skills acquisition programme of the government.

Represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, President Tinubu re-affirmed his administration’s commitment to all matters relating to the total well-being and development of the Nigerian child.

He continued, “The government is also building 91 Vocational Centres in secondary schools across the country to ensure that all levels of education enjoy the impact of our policy.

We are also working with the State Commissioners of Women Affairs and the State Ministries of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board and Civil Society Organisations to ensure quality education and skills development for Nigerian children,” Tinubu said.

Also speaking the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, assured the children that their rights would always be protected.

Kennedy-Ohanenye said: “When it comes to fighting for your rights, I shall always be there for you because Mr. President said the poor shall breathe and the children are one of the vulnerable.

Earlier in her speech, the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCT Administration, r Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, had noted that since 1964, May 27 of every year has been set aside to celebrate the Nigerian child.

Benjamin-Laniyi also said that the day was also meant to promote policies that protect children’s rights, education, and other necessities of human rights.

She said that the FCT, under Chief Nyesom Wike, was working to ensure that every child in the FCT has access to quality education, and skills development for them to excel in life.

In her contribution, the Speaker of the Children Parliament, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rahama Waziri, noted that the wellbeing of children is the cornerstone of the future of Nigeria.

Waziri said that the event, with the theme: “Enhancing the Total Wellbeing of the Nigerian Child Through Quality Education and Skills Development”, provided the needed opportunity to discuss how to collectively ensure that every Nigerian child receives the education and skills necessary to thrive.

According to her, empowering children with education and skills was pivotal to the sustainable growth and development of the country.