Hon. David Oni awards scholarship to child hawker in Agasa »

My name is David, like the biblical David that met many destiny helpers that helped him to navigate through critical moments.

I have received countless blessings and I am still being blessed daily, God keeps sending to me helpers in my business and in my political journey. Governor Yahaya Bello is one, through my destiny helper, Pharmacist Abdulkareem Asuku Jamiu.

These were the words of Hon. Ogbeni Oni Sunday David, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Yahaya Bello on Industries and Productivity, at the venue of a volleyball competition final between Agassa volleyball club and Asuku Spikers on Wednesday, 29th December, 2021.

Severally, God promised and described Himself as our Helper (Deut.33: 26; Isa. 41:10-14;). God helps us at all moments, especially when we cannot help ourselves. He also delegates men, angels and the Holy Spirit to help us at critical times. This was the case of a child hawker, Fatima Sodiq at the venue of the competition in LGEA Primary School, Agasa, Okene.

A guest at the event, Hon. Sunday Oni David was moved by the 11 year old hawker’s inability to communicate properly in English who had just strolled pass with her puff puff. A casual talk turned into a serious conversation between them that required an interpreter.

She is not in school, never been in school and probably had no chance of getting formal education in the nearest future. “I was touched because every child deserves access to formal education to fit into this ever changing and dynamic world.

“As a father and someone who has been touched and helped throughout life, I felt compelled to give her an opportunity like every child. I felt God brought her near me to use me to change her story. Something I have learnt through my Boss and mentor Pharm. Asuku,” Oni said.

Hon. Sunday Oni David before ending the somewhat intriguing and heart touching conversation also made money available for her to be enrolled in a school and promised to sponsor her education at all stages. “Governor Yahaya Bello has helped many of us, children of nobody, we must use every opportunity to help others to achieve their own dreams.” he muted.

Despite having the least out-of-school children among the 19 Northern States of Nigeria, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on 22nd December restated the commitment of his administration to drastically reduce the number of Out-of-School children in the state to its barest minimum during the launching of the ”National Identification and Enrolment Drive and Campaign on Out-of-School Children” by the Federal Ministry of Education in Lokoja.

This gesture by Engr. Ogbeni is hailed by all and described as a positive contribution to the ‘education for all’ drive of the New Direction government in the state.