Peter Uzoho
Access Bank Plc has handed over a block of three classrooms it newly renovated to Olorunfunmi Senior Grammar School, Idimu, in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The project is aimed at addressing the problem of overcrowding of students in classrooms where about 160 students contend with space in a classroom with attendant negative impacts on their health and academics.
The project, which is the phase one of a three-phased Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project being carried out by the Digital and Centralised Operations Group of Access Bank was inaugurated yesterday.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Group Head, Digital and Centralised Operations Division, Access Bank, Mrs Ukachi Osas-Airen, said the intervention was the bank’s way of showing its value for its customers, potential customers and the larger society.
She said, “It’s always a good thing to give back. You will never run dry when you give. So, this is just our own way of saying thank you as a bank. It’s our way of showing the value that Access Bank has for our customers, our potential customers and the society at large. And certainly, for us as a bank, we believe in sustainable business practices and this is one sure way of giving back to the environment and the communities we serve.”
In her remarks, the Chairman, CSR Planning Committee of the Digital and Centralised Operations Group, Access Bank, Lynda Anyanwu, said the bank identified the school as a beneficiary of the bank’s magnanimity.
She explained that Access Bank has an employee volunteering programme where the staff give back to the society and try to make a good impact in the environment they operate in.
Anyanwu assured that the bank would be returning to the school next year to start the second phase of the three-phased project.
She said, “So, today, we are commissioning one of our CSR projects. We identified this school, Olorunfunmi Senior Grammar School as a school that can benefit from the magnanimity of the bank.
“As a caring bank, we try to identify those areas that are neglected in the society, those areas that our impact will be felt more. So, we came here and we are happy that we are able to make a difference, no matter how little it may be.
“This is just the first phase of our project with the school. We hope that they will keep this one we have done very clean and tidy to encourage us to do more when we return here next year.”
Appreciating the bank for its kindness, the Principal of Olorunfunmi Senior Grammar School, Idimu, Mrs Adenike Akintokun, said, “I appreciate the Digital and Centralised Operations Group of Access Bank for renovating a block of three classrooms for our school.
“The work is enormous, that is why interventions by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), good spirited Nigerians and corporate bodies, who want to give back to the society is a welcome gesture.”
Speaking on behalf of the students, Miss Mary Tajudeen, from Senior Secondary 11, thanked Access Bank for coming to their aid, pointing out that over-population and limited classrooms were having heavy toll on them.
