OPay Digital Services, in partnership with Axiom Learn Education Foundation (ALEF), has distributed over 2,000 learning materials to pupils and students in Edemaya, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, under the OPay Playforachild initiative.

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project benefited pupils and students of Comprehensive High School, Edemaya, and Government Primary School, Ikot Akpan.
The items distributed included customised OPay/ALEF school bags, exercise books, stationery sets, whiteboards and whiteboard markers.

Speaking on the initiative, the CSR Manager of OPay Digital Services, Itoro Udoh, said the company believed every child deserved the tools to learn and the opportunity to enjoy childhood.

“At OPay, we believe every child deserves the tools to learn and the chance to enjoy childhood. Through the Playforachild initiative, we are proud to support the children of Edemaya with materials that will make school more rewarding. We are grateful to our partners at Axiom Learn Education Foundation and to the community for their warm reception,” Udoh said.

The programme began with courtesy visits to key stakeholders in the community.
The OPay and ALEF team visited the Village Head of Ikot Akpan village, Edemaya clan, Eteidung Udofot Francis Dondon, and the Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Hon. Ime Williamson Essien.

The team also visited the two beneficiary schools ahead of the distribution exercise.

At the distribution event, pupils and students received the customised school bags and other learning materials.
The Programme Director of Axiom Learn Education Foundation, Tijani Akhanene Abu, said the provision of learning materials could boost pupils’ confidence and desire to learn.

“When a child arrives at school with a bag, books and the right materials, it boosts their confidence and their desire to learn. We are happy to partner with OPay to bring this support to Edemaya, and we hope it encourages these pupils to aim higher. We thank the community leaders and school authorities for their support,” Abu said.

Also present at the event were Udoh; Abu; and the Village Head of Ikot Akpan, Eteidung Udofot Francis Dondon.
The Local Government Chairman was represented by the Supervisor for Education, Hon. Nsikan Umana.
Dondon, who spoke on behalf of the community, expressed appreciation to OPay and ALEF for supporting children in the area.

“On behalf of my people, I thank OPay and Axiom Learn Education Foundation for remembering our children. Many of our families will feel this support. We pray God will bless you, and we urge the pupils to use these materials well and make us proud,” he said.

The Supervisor for Education, representing the LGA Chairman, Umana said the local government welcomed the gesture, adding that such support complemented government efforts to improve education.

“The Ikot Abasi Local Government welcomes this gesture from OPay and Axiom Learn Education Foundation. Support like this complements government’s efforts to improve education. We encourage more organisations to follow this example,” Umana said.