NAN-HG-5
Children
By Benson Ezeugwu
Calabar, Oct. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Cross River Government on Monday commended the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Family Health International (FHI-360) for improving the lives of orphaned children in the state.
Mr Godwin Ettah, the state Commissioner for Education, made the commendation when he received Early Child Care Development (ECCD) items donated by FHI-360 in collaboration with USAID in Calabar.
Ettah described FHI-360 as a leading NGO that gives support and encouragement to the development of young children and the vulnerable in the state.
He said that the items to be distributed to the Prof. Eyo-Ita Primary School, Nyanhasang in Calabar Municipality, would go a long way in repositioning the school for better upbringing of children.
Ettah also said that the NGO had been partnering with the state government in many areas to give hope to the less privileged.
In his remarks, Dr Henry Ayuk, the State Programme Manager of FHI-360, said that the items were part of the organisation’s efforts to strengthen and promote Early Child Care Development (ECCD) in Cross River.
“The FHI-360, with funding from USAID, had earlier equipped an orphanage school in Ugep, Yakur Local Government Area of the state.
“It is important to pay attention to ECCD because, events in the first few years of a child’s life, are formative and played vital roles in building human capital.
“They are also important in breaking the cycle of poverty, promoting economic productivity, as well as eliminating social disparities and inequalities.
“Our organisation’s programme on ECCD links the young child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical processes with the care provided by families, communities and the nation.
“This is required to support that development, hence the need to give a sense of belonging to this group of people,’’ Ayuk said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the items presented included 145 children’s plastic chairs, floor mats, puzzle mats, balls, complete swing, masking tapes, crayon, cardboards, magnetic white chalk board and dust bins. (NAN)
BEN/VIV/GOK
Edited by Vivian Ihechu/Olagoke Olatoye