As part of its 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility thrust, Inlaks, a foremost ICT, infrastructure and systems integrator in Sub-Saharan Africa, is supporting the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art of Pan Atlantic University’s initiative of aiding the Learning of History through Art for secondary school students in Lagos State.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and the Lagos State Ministry of Education to promote and foster learning of Nigerian History through artworks from the museum’s collection.
Addressing the students at the Museum in Lagos, Adetokunbo Ayo-Ogunsanva, Inlaks Group Head, Human Resources & Administration, said the initiative will not only shape the students’ future but have a lasting impact on them.
“As an organization, we decided to partner with the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art to provide this opportunity because we believe in the future of tomorrow. This is a wonderful initiative and I will like you to maximize this opportunity. There is a saying that ‘when preparation meets opportunity then you have success.”
Speaking on the CSR Policy of the company, she noted that though Inlaks is an ICT organization, the initiative is consistent with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and reflects its commitment to boost education in Nigeria.
The Director, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art of Pan Atlantic University, Dr Jess Castellote, speaking during the occasion, explained that the initiative was borne out of the need to help young people know more about the history, tradition, and culture of Nigeria due to the lack of resources in some public secondary and primary schools.
While speaking on the impact of the initiative on the students, he said, “The students are surprised by the richness, the variety and quality of the works, particularly of the finished works and the materials used, be it bronze, wood, clay and others.
In some cases, they have expressed interest in wanting to know more, which to us means success. We want them to think and learn and have an experience that will last forever. Our pilot programme is focused on the Benin bronzes and we are confident that the artworks displayed here will have a lasting impact on the students”.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Ibrahim Olatunji Lateef, a teacher from Community Senior High School, Orimedu expressed unreserved appreciation for the laudable initiative, adding that the benefitting schools and students are forever grateful to the LASG, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Inlaks and other sponsors for this inestimable and kind gesture.
Also, Awosu Oluwagbenga Jonah, a student from Community Senior High School, Orimedu, thanked the organisers noting that he is now better equipped with knowledge of Nigerian History and Creative Arts which would improve his competitiveness and flair.
The Precolonial Societies of Nigeria initiative in collaboration with the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Arts, forms a part of Inlaks’ Corporate Social Responsibility tripod of Education, Information and Communications Technology and Healthcare Development in Nigeria, Ghana, and East Africa where it currently operates.