Groups offer scholarship to indigent pupils, move to bridge literacy gap

As part of efforts to bridge the nation’s literacy gap, a non-governmental organisation, Executive Initiatives, has partnered with a financial tech company, Chipper Cash, to offer scholarships to 20 pupils of Glory Montessori International School, Tarkwa Bay, Lagos.

A football competition was also organised between Government Senior Secondary School and Government Junior Secondary School, Tarkwa Bay.

The Federal Government had recently disclosed that more than 76 million adults, representing 38 per cent of the nation’s estimated 200 million population, couldn’t read and write, despite increasing efforts to improve literacy levels in the country.

Speaking at the event, Chipper Cash Marketing Manager, Goldie Iyamu, said education is the key that unlocks the world of possibilities, while football is now the world’s biggest sport with the ability to unite all human beings, irrespective of status or creed.

According to him, football is a unique unifier that connects children’s love for learning as well as sports.

Iyamu said education has been shown to significantly impact a child’s outcome, adding that many underprivileged children lack the resources they need to aid their learning.

He said everyone deserves to be great, and education is the key that opens possibilities.

added that the initiative aims to target the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2,3,4 and 16.

He said Tarkwa Bay was chosen because in 2020, thousands of residents in the community were displaced with no alternatives provided for them.

In a community where people lack basic amenities, Iyamu said the effect of the eviction was unimaginable on children born and raised in the community.

Founder, Executives Initiatives, Dare Asobele, said the organisation is proud to partner with Chipper Cash to put smiles on the faces of the youngsters, adding that there are plans to create a chain reaction of love that will promote collaboration and philanthropy.

Expressing his appreciation, a teacher with Government Senior Secondary School, Mr. Okolo Joseph, who spoke on behalf of the principal, acknowledged the effort of the two parties.

He urged them to continue the commendable gesture and not rest on their oars.