Non-Indigenes Group Supports 2,500 Public School Children in Anambra
The Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State (ANIAS) has announced plans to return over 2,500 children of her members to public schools across the state.
To achieve this, the Education Committee of the Association has created a comprehensive database and commenced a demographic survey of children of members who are currently out of school, with a view to enrolling them in public schools.
The programme, tagged “Education for Our Future,” is part of a partnership between the administration of Governor Charles Soludo and the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, in support of the state government’s free education policy.
Speaking during the End-of-Year Party and Award Presentation organised by residents of Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe States in Anambra State, the President of ANIAS, Prince Chigozie Nweke, said the initiative was designed to complement the state government’s free education programme from the basic level through primary school to Senior Secondary School Three (SS3).
“We are targeting over 2,500 of our children and relatives who are currently out of school. We have already provided books and school bags for them, and by January and February we will ensure that they return to school,”
“Education is free in Anambra State, and we must leverage what the governor is doing so that our members can fully benefit from the programme,” Nweke added.
He further disclosed that the Education Committee had begun work in earnest by conducting a headcount of out-of-school children among members of the association.
“The Education Committee has commenced work in earnest by carrying out a headcount of children who are out of school, and we have been engaging the relevant authorities to ensure smooth implementation,” he stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the four states—Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe—resident in Anambra State, Dr. Daniel Ibrahim Balami, said the primary objective of the association was to promote harmony and enhance the welfare of its members.
“The primary aim of our association is to live in harmony and promote the welfare of all our members,” he said.
“Regardless of our backgrounds, we believe in mutual support, peaceful coexistence and collective advancement. This is the spirit that binds us together,” Balami added.
He noted that membership of the association is open to all indigenes of Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe States (ABTY) residing in Anambra State, and encouraged more people to join.
“We arep roud to state that membership of this association is open to all indigenes of Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe States residing here. We encourage more of our brothers and sisters to join us so that we can continue to grow in strength and unity,” he said.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards of excellence to nine individuals, including the Assistant Commissioner of Police, N. A. Kaila, Commander of MOPOL 29, Awka, and the President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, Prince Chigozie Nweke.
