ASABA — In a gesture aimed at easing the growing financial pressure on families, the Pastor of Champions for Christ Chapel, Asaba, Delta State, Rev. Samuel Akpan-Isong, has provided ₦2 million in back-to-school grants to 40 children.
Each beneficiary received ₦50,000 to assist with school-related expenses as families prepare for the new academic session.
The intervention, according to the cleric, was motivated by concerns over the increasing economic difficulties confronting parents and the possibility that some children could struggle to resume school because of financial constraints.
Speaking while presenting the grants in Asaba, Akpan-Isong said the initiative was designed to provide immediate relief to parents and ensure that economic hardship did not become a barrier to children’s education.
“I just thought about it and realised that we have come to September and they are going back to school. We need to assist their parents for them to start school,” he said.
The pastor described the prevailing economic situation as a major burden for families, noting that the responsibilities associated with raising and educating children had become increasingly challenging.
He said his commitment to humanitarian intervention was rooted in the conviction that people who had been blessed should, in turn, become a blessing to others.
“I don’t believe in primitive accumulation. If I tell you what I’ve just given out now, it will look like a flood. Some of them are getting that little token, some 50, some 40, depending on their family situation and all that, just to help them,” he said.
Akpan-Isong added: “What’s the essence? If I’m a pastor, I’m blessed, I should also bless others. I think there is nothing wrong with that. In short, I want to be a blessing to every child.”
According to him, the intervention also reflects what he described as a growing sense of responsibility towards humanitarian service.
“What you see me doing now is based on humanitarian level. I think God is leading me to be involved in humanitarian assistance and things like that,” he said.
While encouraging the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity, the cleric urged them to remain focused on their studies and strive for excellence.
“Back to school, and focus. Prepare your mind to achieve the best in your academic goals. If nothing goes into your childhood, nothing will come out of it,” he cautioned.
He particularly urged young people between the ages of 15 and 25 to dedicate themselves to learning, personal development and understanding the values and traditions that would prepare them for responsible adulthood.
The beneficiaries were also admonished to appreciate the sacrifices being made by their parents.
“Don’t be the reason your parents are not happy,” Akpan-Isong told them.
The cleric also called on governments at all levels to strengthen policies and programmes targeted at protecting children, supporting families and ensuring that economic difficulties do not deprive young Nigerians of opportunities to develop their potential.
He urged government to “raise the bar” in its interventions and introduce stronger measures capable of carrying children along in the development process.
“I expect the government to do beyond what is happening now,” he said.
Akpan-Isong further appealed to individuals, religious organisations, corporate bodies and other well-meaning Nigerians with the capacity to support vulnerable children to emulate the initiative.
He stressed that collective interventions remained critical to ensuring that children from financially challenged homes could continue their education and build better futures.
