Nigerian branch of a 100-year-old International Honour Society in Education based in USA, Kapa Delta Pi, KDP, has donated and equipped Nkunu Community Primary School, Eziora Ozubulu in Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State, with educational and infrastructural materials worth millions of naira.
While making the presentation, the president of KDP, Nigerian chapter, Grace Uche Emetorom, disclosed that the organisation had in the past equipped schools in four Nigerian states of Oyo, Imo, Enugu, Abia and now Anambra and was still poised to reach out to other states in the country.
She said through the programmes, services and strategic partnerships, KDP supported professional growth and teaching practices of educators throughout all phases and levels of their careers.
The organisation, she further said had a mission to sustain and honour community of diverse educators by promoting excellence and advancing scholarship, leadership and service, hence the vision of helping committed educators to be leaders in improving education for global citizenship.
The KDP Nigeria president explained that the essence being in that school was because, their headquarters in Indianapolis, in USA was aware of the condition of educational facilities in the country and had raised some finances for the Nigerian chapter under “9 for Nigeria,” to “assist by giving teachers and students/pupils the tools they need to succeed in the classroom.”
In her speech during the occasion, the permanent secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Education, Beatrice Okonkwo, described the event as one from God, putting into consideration the spirit with which KDP had come to assist the state government in school management.
Okonkwo, who was represented by an education officer in her ministry, Esther Igwilo expressed the gratitude of the government of the state over the donations.
Also speaking, the Education Secretary of Ekwusigo LGA, Eucharia Orazulike, who was full of joy, described the occasion as an act of God and commended the President and management of KDP over their gesture in ensuring that the pupils of Nkunu Community Primary School, Eziora Ozubulu and other schools in the country acquire their education comfortably.
In his speech, the facilitator in the area and the husband of the Anambra State chairperson of KDP, Azuka Emeasoba said the occasion was not common in the country, “but happens once in a while” and pledged his support for the occasion.
He expressed his worry over pupils sitting on the floor to learn, stating that the gesture from KDP would ameliorate government inadequacies in that regards, stating that some of the pupils who would benefit from the assistance would grow up to become eminent persons in the society one day.
In his speech, the Obi of Eziora, Boniface Ezeani, Odenigbo II, who was represented by his wife, Chidinma Ezeani thanked KDP for the gesture, promising that the pupils would make good use of the items they donated.
In her speech, the Headmistress of the school, Ndidiamaka Igbokwe expressed her excitement over the multi-million naira donations, pledging to ensure that the items would be put into good use, while the President General of Eziora Progressive Union, Jude Mgbemena said with the donation from KDP, the drift from public-to-private school would be minimized.
In her closing remarks, a founding member of KDP and its Treasurer, Roseline Kanu Okpete, noted that “good teachers bring good learning” and called for the effective use of mother tongue in teaching students as “God designed to be so”.
According to her, children would learn more and faster if mother tongues are used and pleaded with teachers and parents to start speaking Igbo language to their children in other not to lose their identity.
Items donated to the school by KDP included: a 500-litre GP water tank with its stand and fitted with the tap, 25 primary school long desks, 25 nursery plastic chairs, fully equipped first aid box, 250 KDP-customized exercise books, instructional materials, one library shelve as well as thousands of writing/ studying materials.
