Mr. Solomon Ifejika, a faculty member in the School of Arts and Sciences, has sponsored the education of a young girl, enabling her to return to school after more than a year at home. Mr. Ifejika, of the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), is covering the school fees of Aisha Jibril, who had been unable to attend classes due to financial hardship.
Aisha, now a JSS 1 student, had been out of school for over a year because her parents could not afford her fees. Moved by her situation, Mr. Ifejika took personal responsibility for her education. “Giving a child the opportunity to go to school is the best one can do for that child,” Mr. Ifejika said. “If her parents are not financially stable and she really wants to go to school, the best we can do is to support her.”
The gesture was commended by the Senior Master of Bekaji Primary School, Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu, who noted that many families face similar challenges. “As a teacher, I have daughters, so I know what it means to pay school fees. You won’t know the struggles we go through until you’re in our shoes,” he said.
Mr. Yakubu also praised the AUN community for its continued efforts to support education, adding that such interventions have brought hope to children with great potential but limited opportunities.
Reported by Blessing Moris Pwagreno