The Chairman of the Delta State Rural Development Agency, (RDA) Ogbueshi Engr. Smart Meka, has distributed educational materials to school children in Asaba under his Back-To-School initiative.
The distribution, which held in Ward 11, Oshimili South Local Government Area where Meka leads the Back-To-School Movement, is aimed at supporting indigent pupils and promoting basic education.
Speaking on what motivated the gesture, Meka said his passion for education was shaped by his upbringing in a family of teachers.
“My father was a teacher, same with my mother, and I grew up in an educational environment. That made me understand that it is important to give children basic educational training,” he said.
“All fingers are not equal. Some parents are rich, some are poor. I came from a modest background that is not too rich. So I know the challenges of attending school when your parents are not very rich. That informed my decision to give back to society through education.
He noted that he has been quietly supporting education over the years but decided to make this year’s edition more public.
“I’ve been doing this for some time, not just this year, but this year I said no, I’m a politician, I need to let people know that these items have been coming from a source.
“Without politics, without APC, I will not have the resources to do that. Yes, I’m an engineer by training, but APC gave me a platform to have a loud voice. And if that voice is cut short, automatically some of these things may stop or reduce.
“So what informed this is, one, wanting to give back to the grassroots, also, making sure that the party that is making this possible, the vehicle that is making this possible, continues to be empowered beyond 2031,” Meka explained.
When asked for his message to beneficiaries, he called for prayers and continued support for the government and the ruling party.
“My message is prayer for the government, prayer for the party. We pray that from 2027, APC will return. And for APC to return, we must appreciate the little that has been done,” he added.
He further disclosed that the educational support was combined with other interventions for the community.
“Yes, a little has been done. Free medical outreach to over 650 persons Health Insurance, through the Delta State Contributory Health Commission(DSCHC). I’m doing 150 and Rt Hon Ndudi Elumelu enrolling 500 added to my 150. So 650 persons today are going to be benefited
“We have 400 children benefiting from the group, Mrs. Ibrude supported with 100, while I gave 300. So the children in public schools who need support will benefit. I think the joy is from the parents,” Meka said.
Speaking on development and politics in the state, he noted that competition has made politics more interesting and driven visible development projects across Delta.
“If there is no contest, then it will not be sweet. The issue of contest is making the game of politics sweet,” he added.
