By Ene Oshaba
The best graduating student in the Department of Physics at Yobe State University, Damaturu, Ms Surayya Muhammed Kabir, has been announced as the Girl-Child Education Ambassador of an International NGO, the OCI Foundation.
In a signed statement made available by the Organization’s Champion in Yobe State, Mr. Bashir Muhammad Rancass, the awaed was presented to Ms Kabir at her family house in Gashua Town, Bade Local Government Area in Yobe State.
According to the statement, Mr. Rancass, represented the Australian-based President of the Foundation, Dr Chris Onyebuchi Ifediora, stated that the “OCI Foundation Girl-Child Education Ambassador” would help in promoting education for the girl-child in Nigerian communities where the female folk are disadvantaged, particularly in the Northern part.
“Once she commences her mandatory one-year service with the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), will help sensitize Nigerians on the dangers of breast and cervical cancers along with the need for early screenings.
“Since February 2022, the OCI Foundation officially partners with the NYSC and the Nigerian Cancer Society on its Arm Our Youths Campaign, a nationwide project that the promotes anti-breast and anti-cervical cancer messages to Nigerians on a regular basis.
Mr Rancass further commended Ms Kabir’s hard work and dedication to studies, which earned her the excellent result, as well her parents for the support towards achievement academic excellence.
He therefore urged the Yobe State Government and people to sustain the support for girl child education, as this will lead to the rapid growth of, not only the State, but the entire nation.
Responding, Surrayya expressed her gratitude to the OCI Foundation for the recognition, stating the gift was not only meant for her, but for the entire girls aiming for education. Her secondary school Principal, Alhaji Nuhu Usma, who spoke on behalf Surraya’s father, expressed their heartfelt gratitude.
Since being established in 2016, the OCI Foundation has been at the forefront of the promotion of women-friendly activities across Nigeria, with multiple programs on health, education, social welfare. Recall that the “Arm Our Youths” Campaign with the NYSC, the Foundation worked with the 9th Nigerian National Assembly to facilitate two legislative bills in 2023.
One was on Sexual and Gender-based Violence, while the other was to inculcate anti-cancer teachings into the curriculum of all senior secondary schools and colleges if education in Nigeria.