When Crowther visited Bonny (now Rivers State) in 1866, he and the chief agreed that the natives should pay for their children’s education. Each student, boy or girl, should receive about ten dollars per year.
After twelve months, when the payment was due, the leaders protested against the waste of money on girls’ education. “Our boys,” they said, “can act for us, write for us, and do anything; But girls can be useless, we won’t pay them. ” Very Well”, replied Crowther, having generously agreed in advance to cover half of the initial cost of the mission; ” it has to be half the salary”. If you pay for the boys, I’ll pay for the girls. *Rt. Motor rotation.
Bishop Ajayi Crowther D.D. (seated on the left) and his wife and Ven.