Maiduguri, October 2024 – The recent floods that devastated Maiduguri and Jere on September 10 have left a devastating impact on children’s education in Borno State, with schools submerged and essential belongings destroyed. In response, two non-governmental organizations, the Unique Care and Support Foundation (CASFOD) and Centre for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), have donated ₦10 million to the Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to support affected schoolchildren.
The funds are intended to provide over 700 schoolchildren in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere with school uniforms, sandals, bags and other back to school items and an additional 700 kitted school bags to help them resume their education. Many families displaced by the floods lost not only their homes but also essential school supplies for their children, creating significant challenges for children set to return to class.
The donation was made during a formal event attended by the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, along with key education stakeholders, including the Chairman of the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (BOSUBEB), permanent secretaries, education secretaries, and representatives from partner organizations.
Speaking at the event, CASFOD Executive Director Benjamin John emphasized the organization’s dedication to ensuring that education remains uninterrupted, despite the recent crisis. He urged other partners to follow suit by providing similar support to help children quickly return to school.
Abubakar Sadiq, Executive Director of CATAI, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner and other stakeholders for their presence and conveyed his condolences to the government and citizens of Borno over the disaster. He underscored the importance of organizations like CASFOD and CATAI stepping in to offer immediate relief and support in times of need.
The Honourable Commissioner of Education thanked the two organizations for their timely donation, assuring that the funds would be used judiciously to help flood-affected students resume school. He also encouraged other organizations to extend their support to ensure the children’s education is not disrupted for long.
The floods, which displaced over 414,000 people and claimed more than 30 lives, have caused extensive damage to schools, homes, and public infrastructure. Many families are now struggling to rebuild their lives, with children particularly vulnerable to falling behind in their education without urgent support.
This donation would go a long way in addressing the educational challenges posed by the floods and ensuring that affected children can continue their studies without delay.