The Maureen Matheny Academy

In August 2006, the Maureen Matheny Academy in Eniwari, Nigeria officially opened its doors to 60 young pupils from all around the country. The elementary school is named after Daniel Igali’s friend and surrogate Canadian mother, Maureen Matheny- a school teacher who believed in the inclusion of athletics in the school curriculum so as to provide students with a well-balanced educational experience. The Academy is the first school of its kind in this area with 11 classrooms, a gymnasium, an auditorium, a library, a computer room, a six-room accommodation complex and an administrative block. In addition to being an education and sports facility for the youth of the community, the plans include opening the library to all members of the community and to establish a mini-health clinic in the administrative block. The auditorium will double as a community centre where all members of Eniwari and surrounding villages can participate in evening and weekend workshops and programs including literacy, establishing small business cooperatives, fishing and farming issues, etc. An all-encompassing vision The vision is large but so is the enthusiasm and support for the success of this project. The Daniel Igali Foundation continues to reach out to development agencies, companies and individuals in Canada, Nigeria and abroad to fund the next phase of the Academy. It is our hope that people will continue to see the long-term value and mutual benefits of becoming involved with The Daniel Igali Foundation and with the Maureen Matheny Academy.