NGO patners OXFAM Nigeria to inaugurate civic clubs in schools
A Non-governmental organisation, Connected Development (CODE) with support from OXFAM Nigeria has launched school civic clubs in Asaba to promote civic advocacy in youths.
Our correspondent reports that the civic advocacy school project was flag-off on Thursday with Holywood Internation School and Patricia High Schools, both in Asaba.
Miss Peace Ozegbe, CODE’s Community Engagement Assistant who spoke at the event, said the project is aimed at creating awareness for anti-corruption campaign at the school level.
“At CODE, we do a lot of work to educate and provide information to people on what they need to know, talking about their civic rights as citizens.
“Today, we are bringing this advocacy to the schools to educate the students and get them involved in civic duties to their fatherland through civic clubs.
“Also, as part of our community civic advocacy, we carry out project monitoring in the communities to ensure the right thing is done by the relevant authorities”, Ozegbe said.
In an adress, Mr. Marvelous Uwakwe, Special Assitant on Youth Development to Delta Governor commended the organisation for its anti-corruption advocacy.
He said the launch of the civic clubs in schools was a good development and charged the students to be good ambassadors of the advocacy.
Also in a remark, Mr. Life Kakogbe, Head of Public Enlightenment and Education Dept, Independent Corrupt Practces Commission (ICPC), Delta Office, noted that the fight against corruption.
“Corruption strive because of high secrecy in our national life. People must begin to speak out. We must stand together against corruption.
“If we must kill corruption, then we must condenm it collectively. If we don’t talk and act against corrupt practices in public places, the trend wil continue.
“I am gld with what we are seeing here today in your presentations, it is a good thing to imbibe civic responsibility in our students.
“I want to believe you will not only perform it here, but imbibe this good virtues for the good of our nation”, Kakogbe said.
In a closing remark, Mrs Mercy Benson, CODE’s State Support Officer in Delta, said the launch of the civic clubs in Holywood and Patricia schools marked the first phase of the advocacy project.
According to her, the second phase of the project, would see CODE extending the school civic club to other schools in Asaba and encirons
Highpoints of the event featured the inaugural PVP Fair4All Civic Club Competition, with debate, quiz, shot dramas and oral presentations by students of both schools.
In the quiz competion, Holywood International School defeated Patricia High School to go home with the converted trophy.
While, students of both schools who took part in the debate and oral presentations, recieved brand new school bags as gift.
The students’ drama and oral presentations highlighted citizens’ civic engagement, social justice and public accountability in governance.