Uchechukwu Nnaike
As part of efforts to improve the quality of education in Ogun State and the entire country, Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited (a Chevron company) and its co-venturers in the Oil Mining License (OML) 140 has donated books and teaching aids to four schools in the state.
The co-venturers are the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited and Lukoil.
The donation, facilitated by Breezebell Management International Limited, was made to Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive College; St. Michael Comprehensive Secondary School; Anglican Grammar School; and Iganmode Grammar School all in Ota, Ogun State.
Speaking during the presentation of the items to the beneficiaries, the Director, Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Ltd, Mr. Richard Kennedy, stated that the intervention of the co-venturers was principally to assist the government in improving the supply of critical books and teaching aids in Nigerian schools and increase teachers’ capacity to use modern techniques to impart the desired knowledge in students.
While stressing the importance of books and reading, he said, “reading a book as we all know takes one from the world of ignorance to the world of intellect. The enlightenment from books does not discriminate against anyone, old or young.
“We believe access to good books and availability of teaching aids will enhance teaching and learning in the schools and improve students’ grades in internal and external examinations.”
Kennedy, who was represented by the Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron, Mr. Sam Otuonye, said Chevron with its affiliates and co-venturers has also made significant contributions over the years to raising the standard of education and ensuring that Nigeria has requisite manpower for sustainable development and more access to good healthcare through its intervention in education and health.
The Chairman, Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd, Chief Reggie Uduhiri, said the donation reflects the company’s belief that education and skills acquisition are pivotal to the sustainable development of a country, adding that the company recently made a similar donation in Ebonyi State.
“It is our expectation that our support for education and economic empowerment programmes in the country will positively impact on the academic performances of our young people and the growth of entrepreneurship for the sustainable development of the country,” he said.
In his remarks, the Group General Manager, NAPIMS, Mr. Defe Sejebor, said the choice of education as an area of intervention was timely, as education is like a lamp that provides light in a dark road.
Sejebor, who was represented by Mrs. Helen Nkwo, stated that the partners are also making social investments in healthcare and economic empowerment. “Our pride will be to see students from this state go on to become internationally celebrated professionals in whatever field of endeavour they choose.
“The foundation for that dream is what we are laying today. You will agree with me that effective teaching aids serve as inspiration for teachers and good books are essential for any student to excel,” he said and urged the benefitting teachers and students to make the most of the materials.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Alhaji SA Rasheed, who represented Governor Ibikunle Amosun, said the government is happy to welcome any organization or group willing to support it in developing the sector because education is capital intensive and government cannot do it alone.
While commending the co-venturers for the donation, which he said will go a long way in improving students’ performance, he urged the beneficiaries to put the materials to good use and take care of them. He also appealed to the donors to extend the gesture to other schools in the state.
The Project Coordinator, Jane Coker of Breezebell, said the company conducted a needs assessment in the four schools to determine the areas of intervention. Thus the materials provided were science, home economics and ICT laboratory equipment, books and other teaching aids.
