Airtel Donates Learning Materials, Borehole to Adopted School in Ogun

Airtel Nigeria, has further complemented the gesture by donating a borehole to St. John’s Primary School, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun state in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility, six months after donating a block of classrooms and furniture to the same school.

At the occasion, Airtel also donated other educational items including school uniforms, bags, text books and note books to the school, which is a beneficiary of its Adopt-A-School programme focused on uplifting the standard of Nigeria’s primary education system.

Segun Ogunsanya, managing director and chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, while handing over the borehole to the school, said that the provision of safe and clean water for the pupils and their teachers would protect them from water borne diseases.

The CEO who was represented by the company’s Regional Operations Director, Lagos, Bayo Osinowo, noted that Airtel is committed to providing world class telecommunications experience for customers and support for the socio-economic development of communities in which it operates.

“This is the reason why we are here today to officially hand over this borehole to the school authority. In Airtel, we are passionately committed to partnering with government to improve the society. That is why our CSR initiative is committed to the adoption of government owned primary schools nationwide,” he said.

He promised that Airtel will continue to look after the school and pupils saying, the telecoms operator has come to stay.

John Olusegun Odubela, State commissioner of Education, Barrister commended the telecoms operator for the donation, saying the initiative was a laudable gesture which will stamp an indelible impression on the school, pupils and the community. He noted that the partnership of Airtel with the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board has contributed to the development of education sector in the state.

“The Ogun State Government cannot but continue to appreciate Airtel for this laudable Adopt-A-School CSR initiative. This shows the degree of love Airtel has for Ogun State. This complimentary effort of Airtel in the field of education will indeed go a long way to assist in the delivery of a qualitative education in this community,” he said.

He commended Airtel for bring public primary school, especially those in remote locations, at par with the best-run private schools in terms of infrastructure and academic performance, to the benefit of the under-served communities.

He, however, implored the pupils to justify the huge financial investment by making the best use of the opportunity afforded them through this unique gesture and by aspiring to greater academic excellence and good behaviour.

Mr Adewale Azeez Oladele, head teacher of the school, also expressed appreciation to Airtel for the elevated status the school. He said the telecom operator’s commitment to the school has really taken it to a dignified level.

“I really want to thank the management of Airtel for all they have been doing for the pupils and teachers. We now have improved classrooms, note books, text books, uniforms and clean water. All these have assisted the pupils to be willing to learn, and teachers as well have good office to work. We can’t but express our joy and appreciation to what Airtel has done.” He noted parents now feel inclined to enrol their children in the school.

The event was also attended by the Chairman, State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Mufutau Ajibopla; the Director of Education, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education, Mr Adekunle Adegbesan, Airtel CSR Manager, Chinda Manjor,  Airtel’s Zonal Business Manager, Akinloye Adebisi; Area Business Manager, Lagos North, Akinsola Omoniyi and Airtel Trade Marketing Manager, Lagos North, Lynda Muibi alongside scores of parents from the community.
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