Community Lauds Chevron, Others for Building Science Lab

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Emado Community in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State has commended Chevron and its partners for constructing an ultra-modern science laboratory complex at Emaudo Secondary School.

The Enogie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Ehizogie Abumere II, who was represented by Chief Benjamin Ovbiowele, made the commendation during the inauguration of the complex by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

He said the project will not only be a motivation to the students, as they will not only be theoretically educated, but would also be practically educated to make them begin to think like Isaac Newton and other great scientists.

“By the grace of God, we will continue to give more and more to the society. I am sending a clarion call to organisations to take a cue and do something for our community. We are not Oliver Twist, but we are asking for more.”

The Principal of the school, Mr. Peter Abhulimen said: “The presence of this sophisticated laboratory will help provide an enabling environment for students to learn. It will serve as a place for experimentation, observation or practice in the field of study.

“It will provide training in observation, supplied detailed information and arouse student’s interest. It is important that students have an opportunity to verify some ideas for themselves because whatever is learnt in practice can never be forgotten in a hurry.”

The governor, who was represented by the Director of Schools, Dr. Airen Okhaku said, “it is delightful to know that such kind gesture was inspired by a son of the soil who was former commissioner for education.
He said the project will not only enhance the performance of students, it will also have a ripple effect in the entire local government area and the state.

“We want to appreciate your gesture and we want to urge other organisations around the world to emulate you and support education. This project will be kept, it will be secure and you will get the result.

“We are appealing to the community to take the project as their property and protect it from hoodlums. I am appealing to the school management to take it as a matter of priority to secure this state-of-the-art laboratory so that the goal or objective to which it was built will be achieved,” Obaseki stated.

He promised that the school will benefit from the reconstruction of schools in the state.
In his remarks, the Director, Star Deepwater Petroleum, Mr. Richard Kennedy, said the Agbami family which is a joint venture of Chevron, NNPC, Famfa Oil, Stat Oil and Petrobras which commenced activities in 2004, has since made its mark in the education sector.

He said the laboratory will help the students to focus and develop more interest in science and technology and to be more proactive.
Represented by the Warri Area Manager, Mr. Tony Emegere, he said: “The science laboratory donation is one of the programmes in our social investment plan aimed at improving the teaching and learning of science subjects in our schools. This will further help in developing interest in science and technology among students.

“The Agbami co-ventures recognise the importance of education as a catalyst for unlocking the potential of the youths and developing their capacity for societal relevance.
“We are particularly encouraged by the results of our social investment in education through the Agbami Scholarship Programme. Altogether about 13,965 students in various universities in the country have benefited from the programme out of which 64 have graduated with first class or its equivalent. Only recently, 32 beneficiaries of the programme graduated from the University of Lagos with first class.”

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