Back-to-school in Mezam: Senator Nebah Ndosiri donates scholarships, didactics to meritorious students, pupils.

This was during a ceremony to encourage and prepare the students and pupils for the 2023/2024 school year. It was organised by Senator Prof Nebah Ndosiri Bridget. The event took place Friday September 1, at the Bamenda I Council hall.

In attendance were the Inspector General at the North West Governor's Office, Seidou Musa, who represented the Governor; the Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, of Mezam, Simon Emile Mooh; Mayor of Bamenda I Council, Mbigha Felix and other authorities.

The award ceremony, dubbed: "Senator Nebah Ndosiri Bridget Academic Excellence Award to Young Girls of Mezam," had as objectives to encourage and promote some female students and pupils who recorded outstanding performances in the 2023 GCE Advanced and Ordinary levels, both General and Technical and Government Common Entrance examination.

Fifty-three female students benefited from the cash prize award ranging from 25,000 FCFA to 50,000 FCFA, for both students of the GCE Advanced and Ordinary levels, according to their grades.

Meanwhile, 250 pupils, both boys and girls of the Primary School level, were given didactic materials, including books, bags, pens and pencils.

Speaking during the event, the brain behind the initiative, Senator Nebah Ndosiri said, she also received support from other elite, which raided the amount to close to four million FCFA.

Reason for the scholarship

The Senator, who was elected in March 2023, revealed that the reason behind the idea is to show her support, especially to students who braved the odds to go to school, despite the crisis and made it outstandingly in the exams.

She also said being an educationist and a university professor, she is out to promote academic excellence.

"You defied the odds, the school boycotts and today we are celebrating you. So, I decided to do something for you people. I am of the educational background, I am a university professor and I am what I am today because I went to school. I want to pull you up...," Senator Nebah Ndosiri said.

Plans to be a yearly activity

While handing the scholarships to the beneficiaries, the Senator announced in front of their parents that she is planning to continue with the gesture yearly.

She also said her interest this year was to project the education of the girl child, adding that the boys shall be included in the programme next year.

"I want to make it by the grace of God, to be a yearly activity so that it will be sustainable. I have told the children that I am sewing a seed in their life and education. I want them to grow up and support others more than me," she added.

Expectations

At the end of the ceremony, Seidou Musa, the representative of the Governor, together with the Senator, urged the pupils and students to use the prizes for the right purpose.

Senator Nebah said there will be a follow-up to make sure that the students continue to be brilliant in school.

"We expect them to work hard in school. We are going to follow them up. By next year, we are going to get an evaluation of their performance," the Senator said.

Students, pupils hail Senator Nebah Ndosiri

For their part, the beneficiaries thanked the Senator for the wonderful opportunity. 

On behalf of all the beneficiaries, Amaboh Precious, a student of Government Bilingual High School, GBHS Bamendakwe, promised that they are going to maintain same performance as they move forward with their studies.

"I am expressing my gratitude to the Senator for what I have received. I want to thank our mother because this donation is going to help me in buying some of my school needs and we are not going to fail her," Amaboh Precious said.

Reechoing call for effective back-to-school

Meanwhile, the Inspector General at the North West Governor’s Office, Seidou Musa, representing the Governor, told parents to send their children to school and not listen to “calls of frustration from detractors”.

"I am using this opportunity to call on all the parents, teachers and students that schools are resuming on Monday 4. They are expected to be in their classrooms come Monday September 4, 2023," he said.

Senator Prof Nebah Ndosiri also urged all education stakeholders, taxi drivers and commercial motorbike riders in the North West Region, to accompany the children for a successful back-to-school.