Sixty six students of the Ummatul Islamiyya Academy, Jahi District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, will be going to school free for the next one year; and subsequently if their performance is encouraging, courtesy of the chairperson of the Baba-Rabi Foundation, Mrs Nana Fatima Mede.
Mrs Mede who celebrated her 63rd birthday on Friday was at the academy on Monday evening to give the good news to the pupils, some of which have been sent home because their parents were unable to pay the required fees. The event coincided with the Women’s day celebrated all over the world; and Hajia Mede said as a mother, she did not feel comfortable when she learnt that some children, particularly girls, were being withdrawn from the school because their parents could not afford the school fees.
Thirty seven (37) orphaned girls in the Islamiyyah section (Secondary) of the school; twelve (12) less privileged girls in the Nursery and Primary section; eleven (11) orphaned girls in the Islamiyyah section and six (6) orphaned girls in the Nursery and Primary section are to benefit from the scholarship which the beneficiaries might enjoy up to the JSS level depending on their academic performance.
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The retired permanent secretary said she was very particular about the female gender because they are the ones that are usually withdrawn from schools at the slightest challenge. She also said it was at the early stages also that they are usually withdrawn.
“The idea behind the scholarship is for them to continue their education and not drop out of school for lack of resources. I want them to build self-confidence and grow up and see what is out there when you are educated. When women are educated, they are more confident and the society benefits more,” she said.
While interacting with the students, Mrs Mede told them that she decided to be in the school personally because she wants them to see what education of a female child can achieve. She emphasised the importance of education even to a girl-child and asked them to see her as their model and concentrate on their education, assuring that assistance was always available to those who are serious with their studies.
They were also told stories of women who have achieved greater heights just because they were educated and persistent in what they were doing. She would like them to have very high aspirations and work towards achieving them.
Mrs Mede told journalists who wanted to know why she decided to engage in humanitarian services instead of quietly enjoying her retirement, Mrs Mede said “reaching out and touching the lives of those around us, particularly the less privileged, is something everyone should cultivate and display”. She pointed out that it was the main reason behind the Baba-Rabi Foundation (BARAF) which has over the years reached out to women, children, orphans, widows and other vulnerable persons in the rural communities across Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State and the southern senatorial district of Benue State. The foundation has also reached out to orphanages and internally displaced persons in the Federal Capital Territory.
It has also renovated and build classroom blocks in schools in Edo and Benue states as well as supplied books and other teaching aides to schools in states across the country. It is currently building a world-class women and children hospital in Jattu community in Uzairue, Etsako West LGA of Edo State.
The principal of the academy appreciated Mrs Mede’s intervention and explained that both the Nursery/Primary and Secondary sections of the school are run through funds from fees, as the school receives no subvention from anywhere. Mrs Mede’s gesture will go a long way to empower the school, he said. (NAN)
