The Nation Newspaper

Tag: school

  • Old students donate N20m to school

    The members of Old Boys Association of Igbo National College Aba [IgboNaco], now National High School have donated N20m to their Alma Mater to address infrastructural decay.

    This was disclosed by the president-general of the association, Mr Azubuko Udah after the National Executive Committee [NEC] of the association in Umuahia,saying that members have decided to give back to the school that made them what they are today.

    Udah said that government should not be left alone to handle school rehabilitation in the state, adding that the governor, Chief Theodore Orji has done well in this area, stressing that what they were doing is to complement governor’s efforts.

    The President-General of Igbonaco used the forum to praise the governor for his approval and prompt intervention in renovation of dilapidated structures in the school, saying that the move has helped to improve the standard of education in the state.

    Udah recalled that sometime in 2003, some hoodlums attacked and vandalised the school’s science laboratories which he said had remained one of the well equipped within the Southeast zone saying that the association intends to replace the items that were vandalised.

    He enumerated the achievements of the association in their old school to include the repair of Azikiwe and other dormitories in the school which had cost them about N8 million, while the fencing of the school premises had cost them N5 million, and other projects is costing them N5 million.

    The President-General said: “I know that the Azikiwe and other school hostels project that is almost completed cost N8 million, the parameter fence of the school has taken us about N5m, while the provision of security in the school and minor repairs of the NYSC Corpers’ Lodge and other repairs has also taken us another N5 million”.

    Udah reminded other old boy’s associations across the state of their role in the provision of infrastructure, stressing that people should give back to the society that made them.

    He said: “Various old boys associations have a great role to play in making sure that our education system is maintained and sustained so that generation next will not be handicapped in having the requisite atmosphere in learning”.

    Also speaking, the former deputy governor of Abia State who also is an old boy of the School, Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma, described the handing over of schools to their original owners in the state as one of the measures by government to improve the standard of teaching and learning.

    Nwakanma said, “It is the necessary thing to do, more so as a lot of people were clamouring for the handover of schools especially the religious institutions.They were clamouring that they need these schools to train children when they are young”.

    He praised Governor Orji for taking the bold decision when he handed over such schools to their original owners as well as in bringing sanity to the education sector in the state.

    In the same vein, thes State Commissioner for Housing, an Old boy of the school, Prince Kingsley Mgbeahuru, disclosed that the state government has begun the rehabilitation of some public schools across the state and the building of modern schools across the state.

  • A Business School for farmers

    A Business School for farmers

    Ever heard of a Farmers Business School? Daniel Essiet reports that the institution holds the key to bridging the knowledge gap among small-scale farmers to make them productive.

    At last, succour has come to small-scale farmers. Many of them who are grappling with challenges, such as low yields, natural resources degradation, and lack of access to resources, can attend the Farmers Business School to hone their skills.

    Essentially, the intervention is aimed at training the small-scale farmers to enable them adapt to the dynamics of farming.

    States, such as Ondo, Abia, Edo, Ekiti, Osun and Cross River, have about 70 per cent of rural farmers.

    In these states, vast lands are set aside to produce major crops on the farm.Regrettably, many of them lack the financial muscle, technical knowledge and skills to use the opportunities offered by expanding markets to boost their income and increase the diversity of crops cultivated.

    The implication is that many farm owners earn very little, as there are many obstacles hindering a shift towards better or more efficient food systems.

    Some of the major constraints to increased production, according to the farmers and experts, include diseases and inadequate supplies of feed resources. However, the Technical Advisor, Sustainable Cocoa Business, German International Cooperation (GIZ), Ayo Akinola, notes that while this may be true in some circumstances, most farmers are cut off from access to training and so, lack knowledge of the techniques that would help them maximise their incomes.

    He believes that if small farmers are made to improve their practices, given access to better-quality seeds, training and fertilisers, they could significantly increase their yields.

    This is where Farmers Business Schools comes in to give farmers practical knowledge. For Akinola, there is no better way to strengthen agriculture and farmers in the rural areas than by investing in human capacity that sustains it.

    He said it was because of this that GIZ began the Farmers Business Schools (FBSs) to empower farmers. According to him, the main objective of the FBS is to develop farmers’ skills in record keeping. This, he explained, would have an impact on productivity and livelihoods of farmers.

    Using the FBS approach, farmers would adapt technologies and try out new ideas. Each FBS needs a facilitator to lead the exercises. Akinola said farmers learn how they can plan the production of cocoa and foods, what costs and income increases are associated with improved cultivation techniques, and how they can increase their harvest yields and incomes by means of targeted investment.

    GIZ, he said, envisages that 200,000 small-scale cocoa farmers in Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d‘Ivoire, Liberia and Cameroon would double their income within 10 years using FBS. In cooperation with local partners, the project has developed the FBS’ training programme to strengthen skills. More than 440 trainers and supervisors have been trained to organise the FBS programme. Many Agriculture Development Programme (ADP) officers have become trainers after the programme. Trainers organise regular training according to the felt demand.

    Since March 2010, they have trained over 110,000 farmers, a quarter of who are women. They work with national and local partners, such as agricultural extension departments, civil society organisations and farming communities.

    Akinola said worldwide, the promotion of farmers business schools is a step towards food sovereignty. At the heart of the programme is a global knowledge and experience community of organisations working at various levels with millions of farmers worldwide.

    He said the agency is ready to work with state governments, communities and donors to propagate FBS approaches to help increase production, reduce poverty and strengthen farming communities.

    Working with local and national institutions is one way of scaling up the project and ensuring that more farmers are involved and also benefit from it. GIZ has trained local extension workers –mostly from the government.

    Some farmers, who have completed the programme, confirmed that their production have improved. Depending on the country, between 38 and 62 per cent of the farmers have opened bank accounts to save for loans. They are planning their production and monitoring their income and expenditures, as well as using farm input, staff and revenues.

    Altogether about 99 per cent of the farmers are investing on improved cultivation technology for fruit or cocoa and have increased their yields and income, a result confirmed by World Cocoa Federation (WCF) studies.

    Also, between 31 and 76 per cent of farmers, who have completed training, have joined a farmers’ organisation. According to the WCF, the average income of FBS farms from non-cocoa products is $230 higher in 2012 than at the beginning of the project in 2010. The increase in income in the five countries is about $22million.

    Akinola said extension of farming practices through FBS have been effective. According to him, it has ensured that farmers have access to information, techniques, institutions and the means to experiment with new techniques.

    At the same time, gender-mainstreaming have enhanced their position and emancipation.

    FBS gives farmers opportunity to interact with practical skills, resulting in increase in their knowledge. Farmers also understand that there are some agro-ecological relationships within an environment and what they practise can have an effect on such relationships.

    With enhanced knowledge garnered through FBS, farmers are managing their farms. The success is spreading. Farmers, who did not participate in the FBS, too, are learning from those who are more knowledgeable.

    The Chief Executive, Cocoa Initiative, Mr. Robo Adhuze, confirmed to The Nation that FBS have shown many results. For instance, it has helped to rebuild farmers’capacities to select seeds and breed new varieties, resulting in farmers valuing and enhancing the (agro)biodiversity of their areas.

    It is also envisaged that the empowerment of farmers through FBS would help to develop the agricultural sector. The aim of the programme is to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.

    During the training, farmers share their perspectives on the varieties that they use, those that have been lost, and those that they want to plant. As part of the curriculum, farmers get to experience the whole planting cycle using the basic planting methods. Also, farmers learn to choose good seeds to restore a variety of seeds whose purity and quality has deteriorated.

     

  • RCCG lifts school

    RCCG lifts school

    They were at Omudioga, a community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State last year for a gospel/medical crusade. The weeklong event was held in an open field housing a dilapidated structure at the centre of the community.

    But little did they know that the worn-out structure is a school where tomorrow’s leaders were being made.

    It is the State School (2), Omudioga, built in the 50s. The single V-shaped 10-classroom block has passed through generations, without any form renovation until the recent intervention by members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG).

    The school ranks second of the three primary schools in the community , which hosts over 40 oil wells operated by the famous Anglo-Dutch Company, the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

    It is a few miles away from Elele, a developing area in the LGA and a little distance away from Ubima community, Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s home town.

    The Paramount ruler and Nye-nwe Ali Omudioga, Akpabu and Itu, Eze G.C. Onyeka (SP), lamented the gross neglect of the community by the government.

    He told the Niger Delta Report that the community has no functional healthcare centre. He admitted that the contractor who won the bid for the construction of a health centre abandoned the job and eloped with the funds.

    Dr. Onyeka and his subject expressed deep appreciation to the church. They said the poor state of the school was of great concern to them.

    They described the intervention as the act of God and appealed to the government to assist in furnishing and completing the structure for them.

    The pupils learn sitting on the ground, while the teachers and headmaster have no tables and offices.

    The Pastor, Rivers Provence 2 of the church, Adesoji Oni, explained the reasons for the gesture.

    He said: “It is a simple way of demonstrating the call of God upon the Church. Just as we heard in the message preached that God has called the Church unto good works, coupled with the fact that we cannot ignore the fact that children are the leaders of tomorrow, if we fail to give them their deserved care now, then our future will be bleak.

    “So, as part of our co-operate responsibility therefore, we decided to give the children at least a comfortable place to learn.”

    The school’s headteacher, Wosamma Ezekiel Okedi, narrated how he came in contact with the group.

    Okedi said: “I saw them at a crusade on this very ground we are now. I attended the crusade as an observer. I came in such a way that I would not be recognised. But when I moved round, I discovered that it was not just a mere crusade, but a health mission. Pregnant women were delivered of their babies; some were under labour; some other persons were on drips; a whole lot of activities, such as distribution of cloths, medical consultation, drugs’ dispensation were going on in the place; everybody was busy at the place.

    “I was baffled and at the same time impressed at what I saw. It was this that moved me to introduce myself to one of the pastors I identified at the ground.

    “When he heard that I am the CDC, of the Community and the Headmaster of this school, (pointing at the dilapidated school structure), the Pastor was shocked and asked: ‘Is this a school?’ I said ‘yes’, and explained that there are three schools in this community and this is School 2.

    “Immediately, he directed that I should go and get a carpenter. I was a bit confused, and asked, did you say I should go and get a carpenter and you will provide for us some bundles of roofing zinc? He repeated that I should go and get a carpenter.

    “I rushed out and in with a carpenter. When we got here, he asked me to take the carpenter round to check the structure and come up with an estimate.

    “At the end of the day, the carpenter estimated 35 bundles of local zinc, the pastor rejected the local zinc, insisting on Cameroun zinc. I became agitated in my mind on the reality of efforts. The Pastors now asked that the facial boards be completely changed also. Today we have this better structure to learn. This is indeed the work of God Almighty.”

    The President-General of Omudioga Youths Association, Akpri Nnamdi Akpiri, said his administration planned to patch parts of the leaking roof before the intervention.

    “Let me, at this point, say that government expects all corporate bodies to be alive to their responsibilities to their host communities.

    “They are expected to engage in one activity or the other to show their supports to governments’ policies. One of such is education.”

     

  • School holds sports contest

    C ARDINAL Nursery and Primary School, Isheri-Olofin, Lagos has held its first bi-ennial inter-House sport competition at the Igando Community High School, Igando, Lagos.

    The headteacher, Mr Kyei Samuel, described the competition as ‘learning outside the class room’. He also appreciated parents’ efforts towards the success of the event.

    “The aim of this event is what we call learning outside the classroom because not everything will be taught in the class. I promise that this competition will not divide The Cardinal but unite us,” he said.

    The chairman of the event and supervisor, Ramaniyah Oil and Gas, Apapa, Lagos, Mr Festus Oluseye, said the competition was good for children and youths.

    He described sport as a tonic that human beings cannot do without.

    He said: “Sport is something you cannot do without which is globally recognised and thank God it has helped our youths to the highest level.”

    The Scout Boys led the march past with displays; they were followed by Blue, Green, White and Yellow houses.

    The contest also featured various sports such as relay race, high jump, football and fill in the basket.

    At the end, Blue House emerged the overall winner with nine gold, nine silver and five bronze medals; they were followed by Yellow House with seven gold, four silver and three bronze medals.

     

  • Philanthropist donates brush cutters to school

    Philanthropist donates brush cutters to school

    The joy of the pupils of Government Primary School, Ajalli, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State,knew no bounds on Monday as two brush cutters worth over N1 million were donated to them by Mr. Godwin Ezeemo.

    Ezeemo was the governorship candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) during the November 16, 2013 election in the state.

    The brush cutters were the promise he made to the school when he visited the pupils in October, 2013 during one of his campaigns.

    The pupils, their teachers and the entire community were all in smiles as the donation was being made.

    Addressing the pupils and their teachers, Ezeemo said that his heart was touched when he visited the school last year and saw the sufferings of the under aged trying to cut the bush called school field.

    He said the provision of the brush cutters was to make sure that the innocent children were shielded from snake bites, adding that the over grown field could produce reptiles.

    The headmistress of the school, Mrs. Ezeohake Felicia, praised Ezeemo for the gesture, adding that they thought his promise in 2013 was another political one.

    She prayed to God to guide and protect the donor for remembering a poor community school and its students.

    Also, the President General (PG) of the women wing in the community, Mr. Alice Orji-Obasi, who doubles as the education committee chairman in Ajalli, said that if people like Ezeemo could hold powers, the state would not be the same again.

    She said: “God will reward you for remembering the children, God will make you to be that which you promise to be in Anambra, God will not forsake you for putting smiles on the faces of these children”.

  • APC Lagos deputy chair donates books to school

    The Lagos State Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Safiriyu Abiodun Sunmola, has distributed exercise books to 18 schools in Somolu local government, Lagos.

    Abiodun was represented by the Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Primary Education Mrs. Abosede Ottun.

    Also in attendance were the Somolu educational secretary Michael Steven Oikeh, and the supervisor for education in Kosofe Aremo Adewale Abdul.

    Five 40 leaves exercise books were distributed to each student in primary Three, Four, Five and Six of the 18 schools.

    Speaking with The Nation, Oikeh said: “The essence of this is to distribute books, big notes, free of charge to the pupils in primary 3, 4, 5, and 6 to promote our primary education.”

    The headteacher of Baptist Academy Primary School Mrs Osatuyi Janet, described the book distribution as good, urging parents to appreciate the gesture.

    “The initiative is good. Like one teacher said this morning that the books of some pupils in her class has finished. As they have done this, it is a good innovation which the parents will really appreciate.” she said.

    The beneficiary schools include: Agunbiade Primary School, Olaolu Primary School, Jehovah Shalom Primary School, National Autopedic Special Primary School, Igbobi Primary School, and Adebule Primary School.

    Others were: St. Paul Primary School, St. Peter Primary School, Odunlade Primary School, Savior Primary School, Baptist Primary School, and Ijebutedo primary school among others.

     

  • Community protests neglect of federal school

    Community protests neglect of federal school

    About 5,000 residents of Eziagu, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State forced the closure of Demonstration Secondary School in the community. The school is owned by the Federal Government College of Education (Technical), Umunze.

    Thousands of placard-carrying demonstrators were reacting to the allegation that the school which they built and handed over to the federal government is not recognised.

    Some of the placards read: “We want to know the status of our school”, “Give us our land back”, “We say no to cheating”, “The labour of our forefathers shall not be in vain”, “It is time we took our destiny in our hands”, We say no to exploitation”, “The Principal Mr Chike Obienyem must go”.

    The protesters also bore green leaves which they heaped at the gate of the school after chanting war songs round the community.

    Before the protest, the people assembled as early as 5 am where they were addressed by community leaders on the history of the school and why there was need for the community to repossess the property it donated to the old Anambra State government 23 years ago before retrieving it and handing it to the Federal Government through Umunze Technical College of Education.

    Peace has, however, returned to the school after the community leadership and the management of the Federal Government College met and addressed the grievances at the Divisional police headquarters, Umunze.

    The provost of the college, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu led the team from the college while the President-General of Eziagu Town Dr John Ofobike led the community leaders.

    Ogbuagu said that the issues they raised preceded him as Provost of the college and presented documents attesting that the 15 hectares of land was handed over to the Federal Government by the community as acknowledged by Prof Ben Nwabueze, then Secretary for Education and Youth Development in 1993.

    President-General of Eziagu Improvement Union, Dr. John Ofobike, who addressed the people, recalled that the community donated 29 hectares of land on which they built a fully furnished teacher training college which was handed over to the state government.

    With the phasing out of the teacher training college, he said, the Anambra State government, in 1993, handed over all the structures and equipment, including 180kva generating set, belonging to the community to the Federal Ministry of Education which, in turn, handed it over to the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze as Demonstration Secondary School.

    Ofobike said: “In May 2013, the MDG monitoring and evaluation team came to the school during a census to ascertain the number of secondary and primary schools in the state and to our surprise, there was no record of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu which was an indication that it is being run as a private institution by some officials of Federal College of Education, Umunze.

    “Besides, the school management has continuously marginalised the Eziagu indigenes in the area of employment and school enrolment despite preponderance of eligible candidates from the community.

    “In addition, no indigene of the community is a member of the governing council of the school or in the executive of the Parents Teachers Association.

    “For peace to reign in the school, the principal of the school must be removed and 60 per cent of the non–academic workforce must be Eziagu indigenes. The authorities of the school should also rehabilitate two major roads in the community and provide water to the people from the existing pipe-borne water from the school.”

    Ofobike claimed that Anambra State government did not build any structures in the College. The building of administrative and classroom blocks, dormitories and the purchase of school equipment, which were handed over to the Federal Government, were entirely financed by Eziagu community.

    The Federal Government policy on education stipulates that Demonstration secondary schools should serve as practicing schools for teaching practice and also create jobs. The Federal Ministry of Education made provisions in the budget, for the execution of these projects, released funds for their execution, as well as brought out modalities on how to run these schools. However, the then Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze administration deviated from this original policy by not utilising the initial grant meant for the establishment of structures in the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu, which otherwise would have benefited the community one way or the other.

    The President General of Eziagu Community Dr Ofobike and Secretary General, Comrade Asika, Nnanyerenwa made some requests from the Demonstration College which included, “that the principal of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu, should be removed.

    “That sixty per cent of the non-academic work force ranging from cooks, labourers, cleaners, drivers, security personnel, potters and potteresses, matron(s) etc. must be Eziagu indigenes,

    “That  two permanent  slots  should  be  given  to  Eziagu indigenes in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

    “That a minimum of 20 slots of student enrolment should be given to Eziagu Community annually. That rehabilitation of at least 2 major roads leading to the Demonstration   Secondary   School   Eziagu,   precisely, Ikpanwojukwu and St. Augustine’s roads be done by the management of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu.

    That Eziagu Community should be given about 10 taps of water from the premises of Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu. Provision of contingency funds for emergency purposes.

    That the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu should ensure speedy payment of electricity bills, as well as remedy the  accrued  arrears  of electricity bills  to  the  Eziagu Community.

    “That the Eziagu Improvement Union (EIU) should be notified of employment slots, so as to enable her provide the management of the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu with the right candidates.

    That any job, either by contract or direct labour, not exceeding one million naira should be reserved for Eziagu indigenes. That the Demonstration Secondary School, Eziagu shall henceforth not encroach on Eziagu land, aside from those officially allocated to them.

    The Secretary for Education and Youth Development then Prof Ben Nwabueze wrote then Commissioner for Education Anambra state Mrs V.V.I Okoye, ‘’I was glad to get your letter in which your Government offered the Federal Government 15 hectares of land belonging to Eziagu T.T.C. including a Giant Plant and infrastructures for the use of Umunze Federal College of Education (Technical); as a Staff Demonstration Secondary School.

    “I am pleased to accept the gift on behalf of the Federal Government, and wish most sincerely to thank His Excellency, Governor Chukwemeka Ezeife, and the State Government for this kind gesture.

    “As indicated in your letter, I shall discuss with Governor Ezeife the mechanics for the hand-over of the property to the Federal Government.

    Youths led by Ejike Umenwa who had wanted a violent protest, were bitter that after 23 years of the school’s existence there is nothing to show for it. There were no additional structures except what they had before handing it over. But the council of elders helped to change their minds.

    They wondered why the Nursery and Primary sections should be listed in the under Federal Government College (T) without the Secondary section.  With the attitude the protest would have developed into more serious tension in the two school community-Eziagu and Umunze but for the maturity the leadership of the College applied by inviting the community to a round table talk.

  • School marks 80th anniversary

    The Ilesa Grammar School Old Students’ Association has announced the schedule of events for the 80th anniversary of the school.

    The week-long celebration, which started yesterday with a briefing at the school’s hall, also witnessed courtesy visits to the palace of the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland HRH Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun.

    Planting of trees within the school’s premises and charity visit to the home of the handicap holds today, while a special Egbe Atunluse Retreat for students of the school and other neighbouring schools from across Ijesaland will come up tomorrow with the sector leader of the World Bank Prof Foluso Okunmadewa, as the guest speaker.

    Other activities are: Friday Jumat service at Central Mosque Ilesa; anniversary lecture, book presentation as well as anniversary dinner/award night to be held on Saturday.

    The National Publicity/Social Secretary of the Old Student’s Association, Mr Temitayo Odeyemi, told The Nation that plans have also been concluded to provide free drugs, free treatment and 100 free cataract surgeries during the anniversary.

     

  • Alumni body seeks to reclaim school’s land

    The President, The Apostolic Church Grammar School Old Students’ Association (TACGSOSA), Chuks Nwachukwu, has appealed to the Lagos State government and The Apostolic Church (LAWNA Territory) to help recover part of the school land allegedly sold to a developer.

    He made the appeal on the sideline at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Golden Jubilee celebration of the school at the school premises in Ketu, Lagos.

    According to him, the need for reclaiming the school land sold for residential purpose would help attract huge infrastructural development needed for the school’s proposed expansion.

    Nwachukwu said TACGSOSA’s plan for the provision of a facility, including sports centre and cultural centre and school hall is being hindered by space constraint.

    He said: “It is a pity that the school is marking its Golden Jubilee with less than a quarter of its land left in its possession because our second generation fathers in The Apostolic Church LAWNA Territory have sold the school land for money and without any reinvestment of the proceeds back in the school.”

    Nwanchukuwu lamented that the church stuck to its guns contrary to the agreement reached with the officials at the Lagos State Ministry of Education not to sell off the land. It has become obvious that the church has disposed off the fenced portion of the school land to speculators who are developing a residential estate on it.

    Although he said the school has some standard facilities, he lamented: “We are worried that a school of 50 years cannot boast of certain facilities, particularly a befitting school hall.”

    “Our commitment to uplift the school is a commitment to ourselves and humanity. Apart from making us socially responsible, a good image for the school robs off on us as it ensures that we continue to rub shoulders with our peers from other school.

    “We want the school to relate with schools abroad with exchange programmes that would help the students compete favourably, he added.

    The church’s spokesperson, Elder Julius Adekunle Awotimiro however denied knowledge of any agreement with the government.

    Awotimiro also described TACGSOSA’s claim on the sale of the land as fallacious.

    “To my understanding, no part of the school land was sold to any developer. The school was only fenced off with two entrances to forestall its encroachment,” he said.

     

  • Airtel donates borehole, materials to school

    Airtel donates borehole, materials to school

    Telecoms firm, Airtel Nigeria, has donated a borehole and learning materials to one of its adopted schools, Presbyterian Primary School 2, Ediba in Abi Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State.

    This is coming about six months after the telecoms operator donated a block of classrooms to the school under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative tagged ‘Adopt-a-School.’

    The learning materials distributed to pupils at the event included exercise books, note books, school bags and uniforms.

    Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, who was represented by the company’s Zonal Business Manager, South East Region, Onyekwucha Ikezu, presented the items to the workers and pupils of the school in the presence of the Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Education, Mrs Anna Odey, who represented the Commissioner of Education, Prof Effiong E. Effiong.

    The traditional ruler of Ediba HRH, Ovai George Egbe, OvaiOsai 1 of Ediba and senior officials from the ministry also witnessed the hand over.

    Ogunsanya said Airtel is committed to its strategic partnerships with governments and organisations to improve teaching and learning in primary schools across the country.

    “A great environment is also critical to the development of a sound mind. It is, therefore, in recognition of the importance of education and as part our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative that we have committed to the adoption of public primary schools across Nigeria,” he said.

    On his part, Prof Offiong expressed great appreciation for the support the state has been receiving from Airtel Nigeria and urged other corporate organisations to take a cue from the company and join in the development of their operating environment.

    The Head Teacher of the school, whose address was read by Master Flavour Johnson, a primary four pupil, told of how Airtel made the school the first of its kind in Abi Local Government with modern facilities which have stimulated effective learning. She said one of the pupils came second position in the 2012 Read and Write competition in the state.

    Master Johnson’s excellent delivery of the speech earned him a resounding applause.

    Ogunsanya presented him N100,000 scholarship from the Staff Philanthropic initiative of the company.

    The Airtel’s initiative is part of its contribution to the development of education in Nigeria.