The Honourable Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has called on the National Education Awards Programmes (NEAP), a non-governmental organisation committed to promoting education and youth empowerment, to provide a clear and structured framework that will guide potential collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
She made the call during a courtesy visit by NEAP to her office in Abuja, where she described the initiative as a welcome development. “I need a clear framework of the NGO so as to have a roadmap and a clear picture of how we can come in to support. We are always ever ready to listen and adopt a collaborative approach,” she said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister, Professor Ali Idris, reaffirmed that the Ministry remains open to collaboration, provided such initiatives align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. “The door is open for synergy that reflects national values,” he noted. “We are here to listen and act diligently.”
Earlier in the meeting, the Chairman of NEAP, Engr. Anslem Ijebor, highlighted the organisation’s “Catch Them Young” initiative, which rewards academic excellence by awarding cash prizes and scholarships of ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000 to the top three students in national examinations such as NECO, WAEC, and BECE.
Ijebor also expressed concern over the rising trend of Nigerian youths seeking opportunities abroad, sometimes engaging in harmful practices like cybercrime and prostitution. He stressed that NEAP is committed to reviving the reading culture, supporting girl-child education, and complementing government’s efforts in youth empowerment.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment between NEAP and the Federal Ministry of Education to pursue meaningful collaboration through a transparent and well-defined framework that will advance education reforms and benefit Nigerian youth.
Signed
Folasade Boriowo
Director, Press and Public Relations
