The Odita Sunday Charity Foundation (TOSC Foundation) has provided orphans in Aniocha-South and Aniocha North local government areas of Delta State with tools to go back to school after the coronavirus-induced lockdown.
Founder of the Odita Sunday Foundation Sunday Odita a journalist with the Guardian Newspapers and his team provided them with schoolbags, exercise books, Math sets, biros, textbooks, and Bibles, among other educational materials, during the fifth edition of its back-to-school outreach.
Ikechukwu from Idimuje Unor who spoke at the event in Onicha-Ugbo said: “I am an orphan. I have been hearing of Odita Foundation for over three years, but I had never benefitted. I was shocked about three weeks ago when someone told me that the foundation was compiling names of orphans to be given free schoolbags, books, Math sets, biros, textbooks and other school tools. I thought that it was not be possible because of the COVID-19 pandemic and I refused to put down my name.
“But when Odita Foundation came, the children who were waiting for the occasion started dancing and praising God that Odita had arrived. I quickly rushed down to the venue. I was given some items, but not as many as my friends who registered. Next year, I will be the first to register.”
Chairperson of the Delta State House of Assembly Commission Ada Kachikwu admonished the children to use the gifts from the foundation well.
“It is not about collecting gifts items, but will you used them judiciously? You have collected novels, Bibles, textbooks, etc. I advise that you don’t keep them in the bags. Books are meant to be read. Read them,” she said.
“Second, you don’t need to wait for your teachers to force you to read. You must read, as the secret of passing examination is constant reading. If you read, you will pass your examination.”
Kachikwu also advised the children to shun cultism and other crimes.
Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Onicha-Ugbo Laurence Izegbu who lauded the project, called on well-meaning Nigerians and the government to key into the project and support the foundation with materials and other logistics.
TOSC founder Odita said the 2020 edition of the back-to-school outreach for orphans and less privileged was a huge success.
