A serving National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, member in Rivers State, Bright Ekong, has spent his 10-month allowance to sponsor the scholarship of Wealth Sokari, a JS3 student, in his Place of Primary Assignment, PPA.
According to a report by Vanguard Nigeria, Bright Ekong, who is serving (teaching) at Community Secondary School Degema, also took philanthropy as his pet project in a bid to give back to society.
Ekong, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, pledged to pay the student’s school fees to Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS 3).
He called on the government to make funding schools and educational development in the country, a priority.
The 25-year-old corps member stated that the government is doing a wonderful job but needs to do more especially in the educational sector.
He added that funding schools and solving the issue of overcrowding in classrooms of public schools will greatly improve the educational system.
Ekong said, “The Government is doing a wonderful job but I believe that if they make funding of schools a priority, as well as acknowledge and address the issue of overcrowding of classrooms in public schools, the educational system in Nigeria will greatly improve.”
“I was moved to empower the 12-year-old student, Wealth Sokari, because she is a brilliant kid, even though in a public school.
“Sokari is an excellent student, my support to her was also to encourage her and others like herself in a bid to boost their morale which would invariably develop her passion for learning as well as improve her intelligence quotient, (IQ).
“I believe so much in empowering children because I know by doing so, it will help make society a better place,” he added.
Responding, Mrs Sokari, who is a widow and mother of the beneficiary of the scholarship, said words won’t be enough to express her joy.
Mrs Sokari broke down in tears of great joy and thanked Bright Martins for his kind heart.
“I never expected help to come from someone I have never even met before as they have been struggling to survive since the demise of my husband.
“This is one of the best things that has happened to me since I lost my husband, this scholarship came in when it was needed to most,” she said.
