The Imo State government has lauded Airtel Nigeria for providing sustainable platforms to uplift under-privileged children in the society and for its enormous contributions to the development of education in the State.
Speaking recently at the commissioning of the Airtel adopted Community Primary School in Amumara, Ezinihitte, Local Government Area, the State’s Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uche Ejiogu, commended Airtel for partnering with the state to develop the school as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
According to the Commissioner, “the initiative is a high powered show of patriotism that has brought development to Imo State. Therefore, the government has opened the doors to Airtel more than ever before, for more business relations geared towards expanding your reach to the benefit of Imo people.”
In her address, she noted that the partnership will not only guarantee positive business networking and development of human and material resources, it will also complement the efforts of the state government.”
While showering encomiums on the leading telecoms operator, the commissioner encouraged the pupils of the school to focus on their studies and make good use of the materials and opportunities provided for them by Airtel.
Members of Amumara community also joined in praising Airtel for transforming the school to an enviable state by providing water borehole, good classrooms with furniture, text books, uniform, school bags and other educational materials for pupils.
An elder in the community, Mr. Patrick Chukwuma, expressed happiness at the rehabilitation of the school which he said was founded in 1934. “The condition of the school had deteriorated over time but we thank God today that immediately Airtel intervened, things have changed for the better,” he said.
He also pointed out the “the school has now become one of the most sought-after schools in this community and every parent wants to enroll their children in the school due to the on-going transformation. There are now good classrooms, text books, note books, uniforms and clean water. All of these attract pupils to the school.”
The Head Teacher of Community Primary School, Mrs. Felly Wulotu, who was visibly elated at the event, confessed that the teachers and pupils were very happy to feel the impact of Airtel in the school. She praised Airtel for transforming the school and providing the pupils with needed learning materials, borehole and furnished classrooms.
“Parents are now happy to bring their children to this school because of the development they see here. There are good classrooms, text books, note books, uniforms, school bags and borehole with clean water. We appreciate Airtel for this generous contribution to our school,” she said.
The Telco said the rehabilitation of Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo State as well as the donation of borehole and educational items to the primary school underscore its commitment to providing first-rate educational opportunities for underserved communities across the country.
Speaking on its Adopt-a-School initiative, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the company, Segun Ogunsanya, said the company is passionate about creating real value for under-served communities, its customers and other stakeholders.
“At Airtel, we seek to connect with our customers in various ways and our intervention in Community Primary School, Amumara, Imo State attests to our commitment to provide empowerment for under-served communities and also contribute to the development of our country,” he said.
Ogunsanya who was represented by the company’s Regional Operations Director, South Region, Godfrey Efeurhobo, said Airtel will continue to look for opportunities to partner with governments at various levels in the development of the education sector.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Sole Administrator, Ezinihitte L.G.A, Dr. Kelechi Osuagwu; His Royal Highness, Eze Ositadinma Benneth Nwokocha; Chairman, Imo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Gertrude Oduka; Executives of Imo State National Union of Teachers (NUT); Dipo Jolaosho, Regional Marketing Manager, South, Airtel Nigeria; Chinda Manjor, CSR Manager, Airtel Nigeria and Erhumu Bayagbon, Media Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria.
As part of its Adopt-a-School programme, Airtel has renovated and commissioned schools in Lagos, Ogun and Cross Rivers states and also donated educational materials and other facilities such as borehole and generating sets.
Airtel’s Adopt-a-School programme is a robust initiative that offers underprivileged children access to quality education in a conducive environment. It also provides them with all the materials for learning and study. As part of the programme, Airtel organizes trainings for teachers of its adopted schools to ensure that a high teaching quality is always maintained.
