The surge in the number of out-of- school children across the 36 states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is unquestionably alarming. Regrettably, while the governments (Federal, States and LGAs) continuously fail to tackle this menace, the future of the Nigerian child is significantly mired in limbo.
Interestingly, as the reticent Nigerian society lives this hurtful reality everyday, the case of an indigent Delta child, Oghenerukewe Samuel simply ignites a glimmer of hope.
Oghenerukewe, not sure of continuing her education in near future, due to her parents’ poor financial status, miraculously returned to school when the philanthropic hand of Amb. Monday Enudi located her in Oviore, an agrarian community in Ethiope East local government area of Delta State.
This rare philanthropic gesture from Amb. Enudi has expressly attracted thunderous applauds from Nigerians, as many describe him as a blessing to humanity and prayed for God’s blessings upon him.
“We look forward to this commendable show of philanthropy to support the vulnerable and needy,” some community members stated, even as they called on the government to prioritize the welfare of the citizens.
Speaking to TheBrief newspaper correspondent, Amb. Monday Enudi, who is the National Coordinator of Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI), expressed concern over the rising number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, attributing the sad narrative to widespread poverty and unemployment ravaging the Nigerian state, despite the country’s enviable status as an oil and gas producing country.
When asked what attracted him to little Oghenerukewe’s plight, Amb. Enudi said: “This morning (Friday, 13/03/2026) while driving to Abraka, something caught my attention at Ovorie junction.
“A little girl named Oghenerukewe Samuel was by the roadside selling groundnuts during school hours. I stopped and asked her: Why are you not in school? Her answer was heartbreaking – she had been sent home from school because her parents could not pay her school fees.”
Amb. Enudi further stated, “At that moment, I felt a deep burden in my heart. No child should have to trade her future for a few wraps of groundnuts, l protested within me.
“Not wasting time, and upon my request, l followed her home to see her parents, following which l cleared the outstanding school fees, and made further commitment to sponsor her secondary school education. She is currently in JSS 2 at Ovorie Secondary School.”
Amb. Enudi said, “Sometimes, changing someone’s life is rarely a matter of financial wealth. It only requires a heart that refuses to look away when the need beckons to us.”
“Today, one child returned to school. I am grateful to God for the privilege to make that happen, God bless humanity,” he satisfactorily stated.
Recall that Amb. Monday Enudi has over the years sustained various scholarship schemes being benefited by a good number of indigent students across Delta State. And his commitment to promoting the fundamental rights of Nigerians, particularly the underserved people has earned him accolades from individuals, communities, and institutions, including the law enforcement agencies.
