By Chigozie Uzosike
To support the realization of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and contribute to the societal development, a Non-Governmental, CAC Registered development Organization, and member Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA), Imo State Chapter, Operation Smile Foundation (OSF) has given out scholarships to 39 JSS1 students of Basic Comprehensive Secondary School (BCSS), Ohohia Mbieri, in Mbaitolu local government of Imo State. This was at an event on held on Thursday February 9, 2023, at the premises of BCSS Ohohia Mbieri.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the Occasion, Engr Jonathan E. Nwaimo (MNSE) of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, appreciated OSF and BCSS for this laudable partnership to support poor families in the Education of their children, and support the realization of SDG 4. He encouraged other development partners to support Operation Smile Foundation in her development activities.
Speaking during the occasion , the Executive Director of Operation Smile Foundation (OSF), Sir Jude Emegwara noted that empowering the young ones with Education is like giving them life, he also noted that the organization has made contributions towards addressing poverty in Mbaitoli LGA, and in Imo State, by renovating the Ohohia (Obi Mbieri) Health Centre and Doctors Quarters, and Energizing the Ohohia Community Electrical Transformer, donated by the member representing Mbaitoli and Ikeduru Federal Constituency, Hon Henry Nwawuba, amongst other development activities . He said that the scholarship scheme is geared towards providing education to children from poor families, and that the Scheme provides the students school fees (tuition, Exams, etc), Uniforms (Regular Uniform and PE), text Books and enrolls the students into Senior WAEC Examination. He encouraged international and local development partners, corporate organizations, philanthropists, individuals and Government to partners with Operation Smile Foundation to expand her development activities.
Sir Emegwara appreciated the Management and Staff of Basic Comprehensive Secondary School Ohohia for being worthy partners, he encouraged the school teaching staff to ensure that good morales are inculcated in the children and kicking against social vices in the society. He called on the students to take the scholarship seriously by studying hard, while urging parents to ensure that the opportunity provided to the children are not miss used by them, as many other children desire to enjoy what this one have, he also requested that parents make it a appoint of duty to monitor their children daily to ensure they take their study very serious, as any student found unserious with his or her academics will lose the scholarship. Emegwara posited that OSF also offers soft micro credit loans to support Women entrepreneurs, who run viable businesses. He urged parents to put their trust in God.
In his comment, the Imo State coordinator of Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA) and the Executive Director of Foundation for Livelihood Advancement, Elder Kenneth Amogu, who facilitated the program said that Operation Smile Foundation, as a development organization has Quality Education (SDG-4) as one of her area of Programming. ‘The scholarship scheme is a way of providing service to humanity, he said. He called on the students to make the organization proud by remaining focused. He urged the parents to always go through the books of their children to see what is being taught and support them in their assignments, adding that the only way they can appreciate the scholarship is to encourage the students to study hard to earn more laurels in future.
The Acting chairman of Board of Trustees (BOT), Operation Smile Foundation, Chief Oscar Okorie noted that the organization was carrying out all the development activities to give back to the society, reduce poverty, position the young ones for a brighter future and for the betterment of the community.
In her contribution, the Executive Director of Initiative for Grassroots Intervention and Development in Education (IGIDE) and Coordinator of Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA), South East, Mrs Eunice Egbuna said the scholarship award has brought more visibility to Operation Smile Foundation, both at the State and National Levels, as one of those CSOs working to achieve CSACEFA’ s mission. ‘The spiritual implication is that you have obeyed the scriptural command to care for the needy and be blessed. This Scholarship award falls in line with the theme of 2023 International Day of Education – INVEST IN PEOPLE; PRIORITIZE EDUCATION’. She urged the management of Basic Comprehensive Secondary School to continue the good work it is doing as they shall not go unrewarded.
In his remarks, the chairman of Private School proprietors in Mbaitoli, Hon. Chris Azotalam hinted that education is the best investment anybody can make in the life of any child. He lauded the Board, Management and Staff of Operation Smile Foundation (OSF), for the kind gesture while calling on the students to take their studies seriously by facing their books and avoiding drugs and cultism.
A representative of the Obi Mbieri traditional Authorities, and the traditional Prime Minister Obi Mbieri Mbaitoli, Chief Uzoma Ekeanyanwu, who represented HRH Eze Josiah Osuji, Eze Ukwu 1 of Obi Mbieri, lauded Operation Smile Foundation for the scholarship scheme and other development activities on going in the Community. He advised parents to ensure that their children make good use of the opportunity provided by OSF.
Some highlight of the occasion was the entertainment of guests by BCSS students through cultural dance and displays, a presentation of a copy of the National Policy on Gender in Education and its Implementation guide and CSACEFA facts sheet to the ED OSF, the Presentation of scholarship Award letters to the Students (accompanied by their parent/guardian), and a toast for more development activities for the Community.
Some student beneficiaries and their parents interviewed appreciated Operation Smile Foundation for the scholarship support and pledged to be worthy ambassadors of the organization and also give back to the society.
