Association pays NECO fee for children of lepers in Ondo
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) also known as Pyrates Confraternity has paid the National Examination Council (NECO) fees of no fewer than four children of people affected with leprosy at Ago-Ireti Community in Akure, Ondo State.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that Ago-Ireti Community is a settlement where lepers are isolated for larger society by Ondo State Government.
The State President of EL-PASO SS DECK Ekiti and Ondo State Chapter of the association, Mr Chinazom Nwankpa, said that the gesture was part of Pyrates Confraternity to reach out to weak ones in society especially less privilege.
Nwankpa, who said that the state chapter of association collaborated with the South Africa Charter, Okarango Deck, to pay the exams fee called on governments, religious leaders, civil organisations and philanthropists to help people with the disability.
“During our visit in December here in Ago-Ireti community where we gave them some food items, we found out that four of their children would be sitting for NECO exams and there is no way they could pay the fee.
“We believe that the mind of kindness doesn’t only to provide for less previlages in society but also to lift their spirit and make them understand that people out there care for them.
“So we have return to Ago-Ireti Leprosy Community today to keep to our promise we made with them in December, 2021. Today, we give them cheque of N90,000 to cover the payment of the NECO fee for the four children.
“This is part of what we do as an Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) to make sure that weak in society is taking care of and we believe that the strong should taking care of weak and not the other way round or to oppressed them,” Nwankpa said.
He, therefore, called on state government to always pay leprosy people their N10,000 stipends in time saying it was cheaper to keep them away from society than allow them roaming about because the health issues is more expensive as we all know that leprosy is contagious.
Nwankpa, who also advised the beneficiaries to understand that knowledge and education was the only thing that could lift them out of situations urged them to read hard for them to excel in their education.
Mr. Tunji Oluwatimilehi, Community Secretary, who spoke on behalf of the parents appreciated the organisation for rescue them from predicament would have faced them in sourcing for the money.
“Where are we going to see the sum of N22,350? if not because of seedogs intervention. This has bring relief to we parents, we will be grateful if people can emulate the God fearing people that followed the words of Christ that be your brothers keeper.
“We can not reward them but we know that God we serve will reward them and we pray that whoever helps should be rewarded in billion folds,” he said.
One of beneficiaries, Mr Olojo Ibidapo, who also appreciated the organisation promised to come out in flying colour in his examination.
“I am very happy now before I was thinking that i will not be able to sit for the exams due to financial problem of my father being a leprosy but with this gesture I can pay and write the exams.
“With this gesture now my dream can come through because I want to be a psychologist in future,” he said.
