Skyline Children Foundation Hosts Hundreds of Pupils, Rewards Excellent Performers In Academics

By Frank Oshanugor

A not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Skyline Children Foundation, on Tuesday at Ubulu-Uku in Delta State hosted no fewer than 1000 primary school children in a manner that left everyone smiling home with quality gift items to celebrate Christmas even as 66 excellent performers in academics among them were gifted N10,000 each with a certificate of excellence.

The event which was well attended by pupils of the eleven public primary schools at Ubulu-Uku and environ, teachers, parents, guests from within and outside Nigeria was quite spectacular in every department of it.

Apart from the quality gift items which included clothes, shoes, academic materials etc, everyone was feted with good meal and soft drinks even as music played all the way. Pupils from the various schools took time to entertain guests with dances, games and other side attractions.

According to the United States of America convener, Prince Uche Chiemeke and his wife Buchi, Skyline Children Foundation was established primarily to provide resources for the empowerment and development of children in the society. With a vision to build an environment where every child is nourished, educated and protected, Skyline Children Foundation is on a mission to empower every child with the resources needed for growth and development.

Speaking to ATLANTICNEWSONLINE on the sideline of the event, the Education Secretary of Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr. Jones Ofunne described the event as a massive project meant to promote excellence in children and their school work.

“Though, this is the first time I am attending this Foundation’s event, yet I am quite surprised with what I have seen today. It is awesome. Moreso, the organisers have prizes for the best pupils in all the schools. I am sure that when a child sees his neighbour getting a commendation for being excellent, it will drive him or her to acquire same in education next time.

“The effort of Skyline Children Foundation is quite commendable and I will encourage other Ubulu-Uku indigenes who have capacity to do same. Ofunne pointed out that “in our days, we did not have this kind of encouragement. So it behoves on us to sharpen the intellects of children for a better foundation.

Proprietress of South Cobb Children Enrichment Center in Atlanta Georgia, United States of America, Isioma Okonkwo who attended the occasion remarked that she had always identified with Skyline Children Foundation annual Christmas award events for children hence she was at Ubulu-Uku which incidentally is her town.

“I am not an invited guest but more of a member of the convener’s family, even though not financially. I am highly impressed with the event of this year because I noticed that every year that things have continued to get better. I have attended for four years now.”

In her words, “there is a lot that has gone into preparation for this event. This year’s event is quite awesome but I think with more funds, more beneficiaries would emerge because apart from hundreds of pupils being gifted and feted today, many others are standing outside the event arena as their schools were not involved possibly due to the fact that pupils from privately owned schools were excluded. The organisers may have also considered the possibility of stampede in the arena if everybody is allowed to enter.

“Today’s event is quite spectacular because when I watched one of the pupils holding his gift, one could see his face beaming with radiance. He was full of joy. Perhaps this child might not have gotten any clothes or shoes for the Christmas but with this gift from Skyline Children Foundation, he is quite excited. He would never forget it in a hurry.”

Okonkwo commended Chiemeke and his wife for embarking on “this selfless mission every year to put smile on the faces of people with their hard earned money. These children have future ahead of them and no one can say for sure what they will be become in future.”

According to Canada based Mrs. Juliet Ogunleye (nee Ofulue) “the only reason I am at this event is because I am a strong supporter and lover of Ubulu-Uku. This is a wonderful thing Prince Uche Chiemeke is doing. I have no reason not to support him. I will always support any person doing anything that positively impacts on Ubulu-Uku. I pray that God will raise more people to impact the lives of our people and put smiles on their faces.

One of the interesting aspects of the excellence award in academics at the event was the fact that three of the 66 winners are siblings from same parents who are non -indigenes of Ubulu-Uku. They are from Kwara State but living at Ubulu-Uku.

Speaking with ATLANTICNEWSONLINE, mother of the children, Mrs. Ishola Ganiyat, a caterer said she is an indigene of Oyo State while her husband is from Kwara State. “I have been living at Ubulu-Uku since three years with my husband and children.

“We have been living here comfortably and Ubulu-Uku people are good. Our three children at Ubulu Model Primary School who got the awards are Ishola Muslima, Ishola Muyizat and Ishola Musmanu. They are in Primary 1, 2 and 4 respectively. My husband is a self employed tiler here at Ubulu-Uku.”

Out of the eleven primary schools which participated at the event, Isho Primary School went home with the sum of N100,000 as the best behaved school in the 2024 edition of the Skyline Children Foundation Christmas party while the Head Teacher was gifted a mobile phone.

The Head Teacher, Mrs. Cordelia Osaji who graciously received the gift from the convener paid glowing tribute to the management of the Foundation.

She explained that the achievement as the best behaved school was a collective one made possible by the spirit of understanding among staff and pupils of the school. She expressed appreciation to the Skyline Children Foundation for recognizing such effort on their part.

When asked to put a cost on what his organisation spent to put the event together, Prince Chiemeke who was full of joy for the huge attendance, excitement of the pupils and the conviviality that pervaded the atmosphere throughout period of the event, said “there is no prize that could put a smile on a child’s face. There is no prize in knowing that a child is happy being taken care of, which is the primary objective of Skyline Children Foundation. We spent a lot of money buying the items in America, shipping and clearing them in Lagos and transporting same to Ubulu-Uku.

“However, one may be correct to say that we spent well over N50million and we thank God that everything went well even though some of the items meant for the children could not arrive as vehicles conveying them were stuck in traffic due to bad road on Lagos -Asaba road.

While appreciating all the service providers for performing excellently well, Chiemeke who also, runs a huge commercial poultry business known as Mossman Farms at Ubulu-Uku said “one of the main reasons this year’s event has been a success is because of my wife. She is the engine that keeps everything running like well-oiled machine. Without her, the Foundation will not get to the stage it is right now. To God be the glory for making her an amazing partner, ” he concluded.

In the same vein, Mrs. Buchi Chiemeke was full of appreciation to God for the success of the event. According to her, “it could not have happened if God did not make it possible. Also, it takes two to make it work. I thank God for the partnership my husband and I, have. The Skyline Children Foundation’s goal is to touch as many lives as we can at Ubulu-Uku. I am so happy every thing turned out successful,” she remarked.