9TH ANNUAL BOOK PRESENTATION TO INDIGENT SCHOOL CHILDREN AND AWARD CONFERMENT.

Child Development and Concern Foundation (CDCF), in its drive to attain its vision of having “a society with functional framework for child’s growth and development’’ held its 9th Annual Book Presentation to the beneficiaries of its Adopt a School Child Programme (ASCP) for 2021/22 academic session. ASCP is the Organisation’s initiative to give educational support to indigent children in public primary and secondary schools. In addition to the books presentation, there was the honour of award presentation to some notable personalities Mr. Abiodun Adewole and Mrs. Temitope Braimah-Adegbola in recognition of their outstanding contribution and services for the development of less privileged women and children in the society. The programme held on Wednesday, 22nd December, 2021 at the Examination Hall of Islamic High School, Orita Basorun, Ibadan was well attended by important dignitaries including the parents of the beneficiaries.

The Executive Director of the Organization, Alh. Iskil Yussuf, in his welcome address said the occasion of book distribution to indigent school children was to ensure the beneficiaries do not lack essential educational needs for their studies.
According to him, the concept of “adopt a school child” was coined to appeal to well to do and philanthropically minded individuals in the society to give educational support to at least one child from indigent homes in order to bridge the educational gap between children of the rich and the poor to enable them have equal access to quality education, reduce the rate of out-of-school children and eliminate the fear expressed by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo that “the children of the poor you failed to train will never let your children live in peace”.

Education as key to ensure proper development of children is what drives CDCF to take up the responsibility of giving educational support to children from poor homes. Currently, 32 (18 boys and 14 girls) school children from public primary and secondary schools in Ibadan which CDCF had been working with since 2011 went home with all school needs at the book programme. The beneficiaries were from 2 primary schools and 12 secondary schools. Each child was given text books, a dozen of 60 leaves exercise books, and money for 2 pairs of uniform, school bag, school sandal and socks.
According to him, ASCP also entails regular visit to the children in their schools and homes as a way of monitoring and mentoring them. CDCF always organize excursion and holiday programmes for them. He also stated that the beneficiaries have been performing well in their various examinations. Most of the beneficiaries now in secondary schools have been enjoying our support from their primary school education level. He noted that first set of two children adopted while in primary 6 completed senior secondary school education in 2019. The second set had their WASCE in 2020. A set had their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2020 while another set had theirs in 2021. He gave a brief summary of their results.

The Chairman of the day, Alhaji Musiliu Adeleke, in his opening speech, appreciated the E.D for the privilege given to him to chair the occasion and also appreciated the Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, Management and Staff of Child Development and Concern Foundation (CDCF) for the selfless and humanitarian services they are rendering to the less privileged children in the state in order to bridge the educational gap between the children of the rich and that of the poor. He further recounted on the number of years CDCF has been committed to the course of rendering this social service to indigent children in the society and the steadiness of the organization in its services to humanity. He further admonished the children benefitting the organization’s support not to abuse the opportunity which could transform their lives and that of their families positively.
He also encouraged the parents of these children to be alive to their responsibilities so as to ensure a brighter future for them.

The Coordinator of Child Protection Network (CPN), Oyo State Chapter, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ogedengbe, admonished the parents of the beneficiaries to imbibe the attitude of properly monitoring their children. She stressed that some parents do not care to inspect the class work of their children. Some never check their children in school to know how they are performing. According to her, some children leave homes and never get to schools. She finally advised the parents to make the education of their children a priority.