NGO seeks support for low-income children

Teach For Nigeria, a nonprofit organization, reports that it has graduated its fourth cohort of fellows as part of efforts to enhance the life prospects and outcomes for low-income children in Nigeria.

According to a statement from the NGO, industry professionals, partners, alumni, and stakeholders attended the graduation ceremony in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, as well as officials from the Lagos and Ogun state commissioners for education, attended the occasion.

Speaking at the occasion, Teach for Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Folawe Omikunle, said that the cohort had a significant influence on over 70,000 students’ academic and non-academic achievements in the schools, despite global learning losses.

He said, “It is a big feat for the graduating fellows, as not everyone who started with the cohort made it through. 385 out of the 417 appointed fellows chose to stay through despite the challenges of COVID-19 and in the space of 2 years, have left an indelible impact on their communities.”

Obasanjo stressed the value of giving individuals educational opportunities so they might maximize their intrinsic potential.

“There is nothing more frustrating than having the capacity and no opportunities. Education for children, youths, and adults should be limitless. There is no one who is born without an element of innate capacity which has to be developed and if the person does not go to school, the development of that innate capacity will be hindered,” he said.

Abubakar Suleiman, chief executive officer of Sterling Bank, urged the graduating fellows to use the platform provided to pursue their respective journeys in his remarks.

“Consider how you may inspire and motivate people by sharing your stories with them,” Suleiman advised. No matter how large your aspirations are, keep in mind that you have people behind you.

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