By Olusegun Obisanya
The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) has donated Bibles, relief materials, and back-to-school packs worth ₦2,124,864 (Two Million, One Hundred and Twenty-four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-four Naira) to the pupils and parents of Local Government Authority Primary School 1 & 2, at Ogbonwankwo Street in Ajegunle, Lagos State.
The faith-based organisation in a statement, signed by the Manager, Media and Public Relations, BSN, Benjamin Mordi that the Society carried out the donation through its Macedonian Call project.
The statement read, “While the pupils received school bags, notebooks, and biros, their parents, on the other hand, received relief materials such as toiletries, beverages, and food items. All interested parents and pupils also got gently used clothes.”
A cross-section of the parents, pupils, and teachers expressed delight over the gift items and wished the organisation well. Speaking after the presentation of the items, the Head of Section, Social Mobilisation, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Education Authority, Mr. Oduntan Sunday Olukoya, said, “We are grateful to The Bible Society of Nigeria for this wonderful initiative. This will go a long way in helping the pupils and their families, especially in these difficult times. We hope that other organisations will emulate this gesture and support our community.”
One of the teachers in the school, Mrs. Alatise Balkis, also thanked BSN for coming to the aid of the pupils and their parents, adding that the gesture would serve as a succour to the recipients.”
Reacting to the gesture, a parent, Habiba Muhammed said, “I am very happy. God bless The Bible Society of Nigeria. Thank you very much.”
One of the pupils, Blessing Obi, who received the back-to-school packs, said, “I want to thank The Bible Society of Nigeria for giving me a school bag, notebooks, and pens. I am grateful. Thank you very much.”
Earlier, the Production and Programmes Manager of The BSN, Mrs. Grace Benjamin, explained to the expectant parents and pupils that the BSN initiated the project to reach out to families in underprivileged communities across the country, especially those in Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs) and those living in slums.
She said the project had donated items to IDP Camps in different parts of the country, including Adamawa, Benue, Edo, Kogi States, Makoko in Lagos, Abuja, among others.
