VSF support for 45,000 pupils in crisis hit states

A group, Victims Support Fund (VSF), says it will support 45,000 pupils under its second phase education support intervention in three states affected by insurgency.

Prof. Sunday Choche, the Executive Director of the fund, made this known on Wednesday while flagging off the second phase of the intervention for Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas of Adamawa.

He listed the two other states as Borno and Yobe.

Choche, represented by Mr Emmanuel Ojo, the Programme Officer Livelihood and Recovery of the fund, said that 13,000 would benefit from Adamawa.

He said that no fewer than 90,000 pupils benefitted in the first phase of the intervention in the states affected by insurgency.

Ochoche said that the fund would support both primary pupils and students of Junior Secondary Schools.

He also said that apart from the provision of books and other materials, the fund would provide desks for both students and teachers.

“The intervention will also boost the capacity of teachers as well as help in providing psycho-socio support.”

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In his remarks, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Education, Mr Pius Francis, lauded interventions by VSF and assured the group that the ministry would ensure proper use of the facilities.

Also, the Education Secretary, Michika Local Government Area, Mr Joseph Kwabe, thanked VSF for the support, and called for more intervention, particularly in the rehabilitation of schools destroyed by insurgents.

In his comments, the Supervisory Councillor for Education in Michika Local Government, Mrs Aisha Abubakar and her counterpart of Madagali Local Government, Mr Francis Zaman assured VSF of judicious utilization of the materials provided.

They urged other organizations to emulate VSF sustain support to education in the affected areas.