By Ushang Ewa
The need to ensure that children of school age to enjoy the right to quality education is key to securing the future says the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu.
“We need to keep our children in school because our future as a people depends on this” said Dr. Betta Friday, while distributing over 1,000 educational materials to about 1,000 primary and secondary school pupils in her native Adadama of Abi local government area.
“Our people no longer go to (their) farms because of a prolonged war over land matters. Economic activities are grounded which pushed me to consult with my brother who is the Speaker of the house of assembly, John Lebo and we decided to pay the school fees for every child in Adadama and equip them with learning materials for the future” she said.
Continuing, she said that there is need to ensure that the war does not limit the potential of the younger generation and the only way to show them a path to resolving conflicts without resorting to war is educating them which according to her, “Is the best armour you can ever give to any man or woman on earth”.
“We want to continuously produce Doctors, Accountants, Lawyers, Engineers, Speakers, Senators, Governors, Presidents and so on that will contribute positively to the society.”
Addressing the pupils, she said that: “There is need for you to believe in yourself because you have the ability to achieve any height. You are the very best life has to offer so don’t let anyone tell you less.
“Do not let anything distract you, not even the war or hunger. Become unstoppable and let nothing stop you from going to school because that is your bargaining power.”
On health, she urged them to practice personal hygiene and always sleep under long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) as well as be of good conduct. She also distributed LLINsto the pupils.
A teacher who simply gave his name as Mr. Egbe in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria primary school in Imina in his remarks lauded the initiative and the duo of John Lebo and Betta Edu pointing out that: “This is the first time something of such nature is been carried out by an Adadama son and daughter for Adadama people.”
Egbe called on all to support the duo and the government of the day.Abi,
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