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JKA Aggey Foundation’s Children’s Day Celebration 2025: Empowering Education Through Generous Donations
On May 27, 2025, the JKA Aggey Foundation marked Children’s Day in Nigeria with a significant initiative aimed at uplifting underserved students across Lagos and Ogun States. The foundation, dedicated to honoring the legacy of Archbishop John Kwao Amuzu Aggey, the first African Catholic Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lagos, celebrated the occasion by donating 8,000 higher education notebooks (80 leaves each) to four educational institutions. This gesture, aligned with the foundation’s mission to combat poverty and enhance educational opportunities for vulnerable communities, provided essential learning materials to students at Saint Anthony’s Grammar School in Esure, Ijebu Mushin; Holy Child College in Ikoyi, Lagos; St. Gregory’s College in Ikoyi, Lagos; and the Christian Mission for the Deaf Church and Children in Somolu, Lagos.
A Legacy of Service and Education
The JKA Aggey Foundation, a non-governmental organization operating across Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and the United States, is committed to improving the economic and social status of Africans, particularly the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized. Named after Archbishop John Kwao Amuzu Aggey (1908–1972), the foundation embodies his lifelong dedication to education, evangelization, and community upliftment. Archbishop Aggey, a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s Catholic history, was instrumental in founding educational institutions, including St. Anthony’s Grammar School in 1954, and inspiring countless young people to pursue academic and spiritual excellence. His legacy of service continues through the foundation’s programs, which focus on capacity-building, skill acquisition, and providing critical resources to at-risk children, widows, and orphans.
The Children’s Day donation of 2,000 notebooks to each of the four institutions—totaling 8,000 notebooks—reflects the foundation’s commitment to ensuring that underserved students have the tools necessary for academic success. By targeting schools and communities with diverse needs, the initiative underscores the foundation’s holistic approach to education as a pathway to social and economic mobility.
The Beneficiary Institutions
1. Saint Anthony’s Grammar School, Esure, Ijebu Mushin
Founded in 1954 by Archbishop Aggey himself, Saint Anthony’s Grammar School holds a special place in the foundation’s history. Established to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Esure, the school was a testament to Aggey’s vision of empowering young boys through education. The donation of 2,000 notebooks to this institution not only honors its historical connection to the archbishop but also supports its ongoing mission to provide quality education in a rural setting. The notebooks will enable students to engage more effectively in their studies, fostering academic excellence in a community where resources are often scarce.
2. Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Lagos
Holy Child College, a prestigious institution run by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, is renowned for its commitment to nurturing students’ unique talents and fostering a holistic education based on trust and reverence for human dignity. The donation of 2,000 notebooks to this school aligns with the foundation’s goal of supporting environments where students are encouraged to develop their gifts for the common good. These materials will aid students in their academic pursuits, ensuring they have the tools to excel in a competitive educational landscape.
3. St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos
St. Gregory’s College, established in 1928, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected secondary schools, known for its academic rigor and commitment to shaping well-rounded individuals. Archbishop Aggey himself was an alumnus of the college, where he completed his Higher School Certificate between 1924 and 1927. The donation of 2,000 notebooks to St. Gregory’s not only pays homage to Aggey’s formative years but also supports the school’s mission to provide quality education. The notebooks will serve as vital tools for students, enabling them to take comprehensive notes and engage deeply with their coursework.
4. Christian Mission for the Deaf Church and Children, Somolu, Lagos
The Christian Mission for the Deaf (CMD) Church and Children in Somolu provides specialized education and support for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, a particularly underserved group in Nigeria. The donation of 2,000 notebooks to this institution reflects the JKA Aggey Foundation’s commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that all children, regardless of physical challenges, have access to quality education. These notebooks will support the mission’s efforts to provide tailored learning experiences, empowering students to overcome barriers and achieve academic success.
The Impact of the Donation
The donation of 8,000 higher education notebooks is a strategic intervention designed to address one of the most pressing challenges faced by underserved students: the lack of basic learning materials. In many Nigerian schools, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, students struggle to afford essential supplies like notebooks, which hinders their ability to take notes, complete assignments, and engage fully in their education. By providing 80-leaf notebooks, the JKA Aggey Foundation ensures that students have ample space to document their learning, fostering habits of diligence and organization that are critical for academic excellence.
The initiative also aligns with the foundation’s broader mission to break the cycle of poverty through education. Access to quality writing materials empowers students to perform better in their studies, increases their confidence, and prepares them for future opportunities. For institutions like the Christian Mission for the Deaf, the donation is particularly impactful, as it supports specialized education that requires additional resources to meet students’ unique needs.
Children’s Day 2025: A Celebration of Hope and Opportunity
Children’s Day in Nigeria, celebrated annually on May 27, is a time to honor the potential of young people and advocate for their right to education, health, and a brighter future. The JKA Aggey Foundation’s 2025 celebration was marked by a series of events across Lagos and Ogun States, including interactive sessions, motivational talks, and the distribution of notebooks. These activities brought together students, teachers, community leaders, and foundation representatives in a shared commitment to educational empowerment.
At each of the four institutions, the donation ceremony was a moment of joy and gratitude. Students expressed excitement at receiving the notebooks, recognizing them as tools that would enhance their learning experience. Teachers and school administrators praised the foundation for its timely intervention, noting that the donation would have a lasting impact on their students’ academic performance. At Saint Anthony’s Grammar School, for instance, the principal highlighted the historical significance of the donation, given Archbishop Aggey’s role in founding the school. Similarly, at the Christian Mission for the Deaf, representatives emphasized how the notebooks would support inclusive education for deaf students.
Aligning with the Foundation’s Mission
The JKA Aggey Foundation’s Children’s Day initiative is a direct reflection of its mission to deliver sustainable outcomes for vulnerable communities. By focusing on education, the foundation addresses one of the root causes of poverty and inequality. The donation of notebooks is not merely a one-time act of charity but part of a broader strategy to build capacity, promote self-sufficiency, and create opportunities for underserved youth. The foundation’s work in this area is inspired by Archbishop Aggey’s own life, which was marked by a deep commitment to education and community service.
In addition to the notebook donation, the foundation continues to implement programs that provide skill acquisition, health outreach, and social support to at-risk populations. Its efforts to equip underprivileged African youth for success, as highlighted on its website, include advocacy, volunteering, and partnerships with local communities. The Children’s Day initiative is a testament to the foundation’s ability to translate its vision into tangible, impactful actions.
Looking Ahead
The JKA Aggey Foundation’s Children’s Day celebration on May 27, 2025, serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of education. By donating 8,000 notebooks to Saint Anthony’s Grammar School, Holy Child College, St. Gregory’s College, and the Christian Mission for the Deaf, the foundation has taken a significant step toward ensuring that underserved students have the resources they need to succeed. This initiative not only honors the legacy of Archbishop John Kwao Amuzu Aggey but also sets a precedent for future interventions aimed at empowering young people.
As the foundation continues its work, it invites individuals, organizations, and communities to join its mission. Whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy, there are many ways to support the JKA Aggey Foundation’s efforts to deliver hope and opportunity to those who need it most. The Children’s Day 2025 donation is a shining example of what can be achieved when compassion, vision, and action come together to make a difference in the lives of young people.