By Aduragbemi Omiyale
It was a sweet Christmas for over 3,000 pupils and 800 teachers in 16 primary schools in three local government areas of Rivers State as the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation shared some items with them.
The organisation distributed backpacks, books and bags of rice to them from December 14 to 16, 2023.
Business Post gathered that the pupils received 3,030 school bags, 3,500 books, and 3,897 bags of 5kg rice. The Foundation ensured every teacher, headteacher, and worker also took a bag of rice home.
The beneficiaries could not hide their joy as they all beamed with smiles, while most burst into spontaneous applause for the leading NGO after receiving their gifts.
Some of the pupils serenaded the Foundation’s team. They prayed for the continued good health and prosperity of the Chairman, Dr Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs-Briggs, who explained that the distribution of gifts was in place of the annual Christmas party the group usually organized for children every December 25, but had been unable to hold since 2019.
“Christmas, the joyful season during which Christians honour and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, on December 25, has always been marked with a mega-Christmas Party for children by the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation in Abonnema, Rivers State.
“However, since 2019, we have not been granted permission to host the party. But this has not stopped the Foundation from celebrating this season of gratitude and joy by bringing light, love and laughter into homes through children.
“Children are at the centre of our homes, and they, more than anyone else enjoy the cheer which families share because of Christmas Day- a day when the world honours and celebrates the priceless gifts of love, light and eternal life which Jesus Christ represents.
“This year, the Foundation has noted that families are struggling because of the cost-of-living crisis. We hope these gifts from the Foundation will bring light, joy and peace to the children’s homes as they remember and pay homage to our precious Lord and Saviour- Jesus Christ,” she said.
It was learned that the items were also given to other selected schools from Akuku Toru, Asari Toru and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas.
The beneficiary schools were Model Primary School, Universal Primary Education School, Baptist Schools 1 & 2, Our Saviour School, St. Michael Schools 1 & 2, UNICEF Primary School, Asalga Primary School and Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School, in Buguma, Asari Toru local council.
The five beneficiary schools in Akuku Toru council included Universal Primary Education Model School, Nyemoni State School, St. Joseph State School, and St. Augustine’s Nursery and Primary School, all in Abonnema, Akuku Toru and State School, Obonoma.
In addition to the gifts, St. Augustine’s Nursery and Primary School, which is supported by the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, also received chairs, tables and shelves, while Mary Slessor Primary School was the only beneficiary school in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.
“We are very excited because this is not the first time she has done this. We are happy that they are coming within the shortest notice given to us; here they are with these tremendous Christmas gifts.
“We love Dr Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs, and we pray God to continue to bless and strengthen her. The good Lord will continue to empower her and fight all her battles. God is the only one that will reward these acts of benevolence,” one of the beneficiaries and Chaplain of St. Augustine’s Nursery and Primary School, Abonnema, Reverend Mpaka Long-John, said.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya