Carissa Hills International School, a private school in Asaba, Delta State, has established a foundation to support the education of underprivileged children through scholarships, learning materials and mentorship.
The initiative, known as Carissa Cares Foundation, was unveiled on Tuesday during the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony, where three pupils who maintained first position throughout the first, second and third terms also received scholarships.
Nwokolo Blessing, Nwokolo Emmanuel and Eboh Collins, who emerged as the best-performing pupils in their respective classes by maintaining first positions throughout the three terms, received awards in recognition of their academic excellence.
Speaking at the event, the school proprietress, a former lawmaker, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi, popularly known as Ada Anioma, said the foundation was established to help brilliant children whose parents could not afford quality education and basic learning materials.
She said the initiative would initially focus on pupils in public schools by paying their school fees, providing learning materials, offering mentorship and monitoring their academic progress.
Onyemaechi explained that the foundation was established to complement government efforts to improve access to education, not to replace them.
“A child that is educated can never be poor forever,” she said, urging individuals and organisations to support the initiative and invest in the future of disadvantaged children.
The First Lady of Delta State, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Ezinne Catherine Onyeme, commended the school for establishing the foundation.
In a goodwill message read on her behalf, the First Lady said no child should be denied education because of financial difficulties.
“Education should never be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. Every child deserves an opportunity to learn, grow and fulfil their potential, irrespective of their background,” she said.
She urged individuals and corporate organisations to support the foundation, noting that its objectives aligned with the vision of the You Matters Charity Foundation.
Also speaking, former Delta State First Lady, Dame Edith Okowa, urged teachers to pay attention to the welfare of their pupils, describing teaching as a calling rather than merely a means of earning a living.
Recalling her experience as a classroom teacher, she said she once discovered that some pupils slept during lessons because they had not eaten before coming to school.
“Teaching is not just a profession where you come to the classroom, whether the pupils learn or not, and expect to be paid. It is a calling,” she said.
She advised teachers against humiliating pupils and urged parents to work closely with them to raise responsible children.
In another intervention, an environmentalist and explorer, Dr Newton Chukwukadibia Jibunoh, popularly known as the Africa Desert Warrior, pledged a four-year university scholarship for a deserving graduating pupil of the school.
He said the beneficiary would study environmental science or architecture at any accredited university in Nigeria.
“I will offer a four-year scholarship to a deserving graduating student to study either environmental science or architecture in any accredited university in Nigeria,” Jibunoh said.
He also offered to organise storytelling sessions for the pupils to share experiences from his adventurous journeys and inspire them to pursue their ambitions.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, urged the pupils to take their education seriously, describing it as an important preparation for the future.
“Education is not a scam and will never be a scam. The future belongs to those who take advantage of the opportunities available to them. I believe the surest way of preparing yourself for the future is through the four walls of educational institutions,” the monarch said.
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, represented by the member representing Ndokwa East Constituency, Hon. Prince Emeka Osamuta, congratulated the award recipients and urged other pupils not to be discouraged if they did not receive prizes.
He advised them to remain focused, respect their teachers and parents, and continue working towards their ambitions.
The school’s student president, Zita Leslie, said the foundation was part of her campaign promise to leave a lasting impact before graduating in July 2027.
She said the initiative would also encourage donations of clothes, shoes, books, pens, sanitary products and food for children in need.
Leslie disclosed that the foundation’s first outreach was planned for December, expressing hope that the initiative would continue after she left the school.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Chief Strategist, Dr Festus Okubor, also commended the initiative, saying it aligned with his administration’s commitment to education and human capital development.
In a message read by Okubor, the governor said government alone could not address all the challenges facing the education sector and called on private institutions, parents, corporate organisations and individuals to support efforts to improve access to quality education.
The Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, who chaired the ceremony, was represented by the Clerk of the Delta State House of Assembly, Barr. Otto Aghoghopia.
Pondi, in a message delivered by his representative, pledged to make a substantial contribution to support the school’s initiative.
“What the school is doing today is building the future of the nation. When you invest in education, you are not only shaping the character of children; you are also building a better tomorrow,” he said.
The dignitaries present at the ceremony also made donations in support of the Carrissa Cares Foundation and its commitment to providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.
The event was attended by former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, government officials, traditional rulers, parents, teachers and pupils. Former Governor James Ibori sent a goodwill message, which was read at the ceremony.
