We never believed we would go to school!!!

They were part of the thousands who were displaced following the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon as a result of the International Court of Justice ruling in 2002.
They were little children then and knew little of all the confusion that preceded the ruling. It only dawned on them to give up the homes. However, their seemingly bleak future got a lifeline through when they were adopted by senator Florence Ita Giwa.
The adoptees, Robert, Sandra, Inyang and Precious, who now bear the lawmaker’s surname, graduated last weekend from the prestigious Access High School (AHS) in Calabar.
They also formed a part of 13 others who were brought from the creeks of Bakassi and had their education bankrolled by the lawmaker.
Speaking at their graduation, the lawmakers said she was only moved by passion to help the children out of their predicaments.
Mrs Ita Giwa said: “These are the children of Bakassi, the one I adopted from the creeks about 10 years ago. Today, I am so happy that one of them is actually a four-time star student which is unbelievable. Only God knows what would have happened to the children in the creeks. They are about 11 of them here and I think I brought them to the best place. Education, I believe, is a major investment that is going to pay off for them. At the end of the day, these children can become whatever they want to be.
“This is my pilot programme. I can’t take so many because I want to give them the best.”
One of the beneficiaries, Robert who won several awards at the event, said he had to put in his best considering the rare opportunity given to him.
His words: “I am very happy to graduate today this is what I never expected. Ever since I came here in JSS one I have had different experiences and was able to adapt. My challenging moments is when I am competing with my mates but I am happy when I do well. I work hard because this is the only chance I have.”
Sandra said: “I thank God for the life of my mother. Without her, I would not be here today. God made her to bring me to this world. But for her, I would not have entered school and I don’t know where I would be now.”
A tearful Inyang also said: “I am so grateful to God because he made her (Senator Giwa to make it possible. Where would I have been now?
“We got here from Bakassi in 2006 and since then I have been with my mum,” said Precious. She (Ita Giwa) has brought me to the best school in Calabar and I am so joyful. She has made me realise my dreams; and when I grow up I want to be an employer of thousands of people by God’s grace. I am so fulfilled. I pray others can also do the same for so many children out there who don’t have anyone to cater for them.”