Page 22 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 124 - September 2024 - COMPLETED

BPW UK Impacts Youth Education

in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria

Map of Nigeria numerically showing states typically
considered part of the Niger Delta region:

1. Abia, 2. Akwa Ibom, 3. Bayelsa, 4. Cross River, 5. Delta,6. Edo, 7.Imo, 8. Ondo, 9. Rivers

The Niger Delta area of Nigeria is an oil rich part of the country on which the economy
of Nigeria largely depends. This has attracted international oil companies whose activities
have affected and resulted in environmental degradation, climate change and pollution of
the waters and lands that have for centuries sustained the livelihood of the people of the re-
gion. Combined with the lack of economic development, poverty and unemployment, youths
in the region have developed an apathy to education and developed a tendency towards
crimes of oil bunkering, kidnapping, prostitution and cybercrime. Friends of Jeremi Model
Academy School, a UK based non-profit charitable company was established to respond
to this challenge by facilitating free education for children in the Jeremi area of the Niger
Delta.This work is done through its support of the Jeremi Model Academy School, Otu-
Jeremi in Delta State, Nigeria.

BPW UK identifies with the SDG-driven nature of this intervention by Friends of Jeremi
Model Academy School and has supported various initiatives for members to enable and fur-
ther enhance the laudable goals of the Friends of Jeremi Academy School charity. Jo Kinsey
(President BPW-UK) and Christiana Olomolaiye are Directors of Friends of Jeremi Model
Academy School whilst Sylvia Perry (Past International President of BPW) assists in an adviso-
ry capacity. Through this, BPW UK has supported the on-going work of Friends of Jeremi Model
Academy School in the Niger Delta. The latest fundraising activity was a Fundraising Dinner kind-
ly hosted by our BPW UK President Jo Kinsey where guests were invited to a Nigerian dinner for
a donation. The sum of £311.94p was raised which is now being used to help refurbishing class-
rooms and purchasing whiteboards for some classes in preparation for the start of the 2024 /25
academic year this September.

The work being done by BPW members as Friends of Jeremi
Model Academy School is both urgent and critical . Collaboration
with Jeremi Model Academy School , Otu-Jeremi promotes the
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals with a view to
achieving communities where children can grow to become re-
sponsible adults who are gainfully employed, establishing their own
businesses thereby reducing poverty levels, achieving economic re-
covery. Classes promote skills combating climate change and reduc-
ing carbon footprint. Pupils have been taught to reuse, recycle and
repurpose household waste. They make bags, lunch boxes and even
a prototype model car from recycled household waste.(SDG13).