July 16, 2024

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PAYS VISIT TO NUF OFFICE, ISSUES CERTIFICATE OF PARTNERSHIP

On July 16, 2024, the Nikki Udezue Foundation (NUF) received a major institutional endorsement from the Federal Ministry of Education (MOE) during a second-phase pre-registration assessment visit to the foundation’s Abuja office. The visit concluded with the Ministry officially issuing a Certificate of Partnership, a significant milestone that formalizes NUF’s collaboration with the federal education body.

Strengthening Institutional Ties

The MOE delegation, led by Mr. Victor, alongside Mr. Nonso and Ms. Miracle, was warmly welcomed by NUF’s Founder and President Mrs. Nkeiruka Udezue, Admin Director Ezinne Anyinofu, and Admin Assistant Adaeze U. Okorie, who documented the visit.

The atmosphere was filled with excitement and gratitude as the NUF team received the Certificate, which grants the foundation official recognition as a partner organization. This endorsement opens the door for NUF to deepen its educational outreach and run programs in schools under the direct support and supervision of the Ministry.

A Mission Rooted in Experience

In her address, Mrs. Udezue recounted her personal story of resilience and the experiences that led her to establish the Foundation. She spoke emotionally of losing her father at a young age and the subsequent struggles her widowed mother endured, including abuse, homelessness, and financial hardship. These experiences, she shared, ignited her passion for supporting widows, vulnerable children, and marginalized youth, forming the core of NUF’s mission.

Programs That Make a Difference

The visit offered an opportunity for the Ministry to assess the impact and scope of NUF’s key initiatives, particularly:

• Future Invest: Send a Child Back to School,  A flagship project launched in 2022, supporting displaced and underserved children to return to school. The program has witnessed academic and personal growth among its beneficiaries.

• Pad a Girl Child : A menstrual hygiene and mentorship campaign implemented at Government Secondary School, New Nyanya, in collaboration with the UK-based initiative #BecauseICan. The program helps in-school girls maintain dignity and confidence during menstruation.

Commitment to Standards and Transparency

The MOE team reviewed NUF’s governance documents, including its CAC registration, SCUML certificate, financial and annual reports, and evidence of project implementation. The Ministry commended NUF for its transparency, operational capacity, and clarity of vision.

Mrs. Udezue emphasized that NUF is driven by passion, not profit, largely self-funded with occasional contributions from close associates. She reiterated the foundation’s focus on education, women’s empowerment, WASH interventions, and GBV prevention as priorities for future collaborations.

Endorsement and New Opportunities

Presenting the Certificate of Partnership, Mr. Victor praised the Foundation’s commitment to vulnerable communities and its outstanding work in the education sector. He announced that NUF is now permitted to:

• Use the Federal Ministry of Education logo in official communications

• Invite the Honourable Minister of Education to its public programs

• Seek direct collaboration and technical support from the Ministry

• Be recommended for government-aligned projects where suitable

He added that the Ministry is open to attending and endorsing future NUF events, recognizing the foundation as a reliable partner in national educational development.

Looking Ahead

With this official partnership, NUF is now strategically positioned to scale its educational programs, reach more underserved communities, and contribute meaningfully to the Federal Government’s agenda on inclusive education and youth empowerment.

“We are happy and will continue to do our best,” said Mrs. Nkeiruka Udezue after receiving the certificate.

The visit ended on a celebratory note with group photographs and mutual expressions of respect and optimism. The partnership between NUF and the Ministry signals a new chapter of impact, credibility, and national collaboration.