Margret Elayo, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, has paid the nine-year school fees of Khadija Ibrahim, a vulnerable child in Lafia.
The fees covered her three years in the Nursery session and six years in the Primary session, enabling her to complete primary education.
Speaking when she escorted the little girl to her first day in Sunnah Private Primary School, Ombi One, Lafia, Elayo promised to ensure that the little girl achieve her ambition of becoming a Medical Doctor.
The Commissioner explained that she had recently met the girl while inspecting an erosion-prone site behind Government College, Ombi, One Lafia, where she was fetching water from a contaminated stream during school hours.
“When I enquired on why she was not in school, I was told that her parent are poor and cannot afford to enrol her in school.
“I picked interest in the little girl and decided to support her through her education, and here we are today to ensure that it comes to fruition,” the Commissioner added.
She noted that the role of education in ensuring peace, harmony and the development of society cannot be overemphasised, hence the need to support all Nigerian children to enrol in school.
“We will continue to support vulnerable children, especially female children, to be educated and learn a trade or skills to take their rightful place in society.
“Education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and the best legacy to give to the children,” Elayo said.
Responding, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, Father of the little Khadija said that the commissioner was God-sent to help his daughter achieve her dreams of becoming a Medical Doctor.
He expressed gratitude to Elayo and explained that he could not enrol his daughter on school due to financial constraints.
The father therefore, promised to prioritise the education of his daughter despite the constraints to ensure she becomes relevant in future.
Hafsat Adams, Headmistress of the school, appreciated the commissioner for being kind-hearted and promised to inculcate academic and moral values in the students to make them responsible members of society. (NAN).