Ayodeji Ake
The Rose of Sharon Chapter of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has rehabilitated and commissioned science laboratories at the State Senior High School, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Speaking during the commissioning, the Senior Pastor of Rose of Sharon, Pastor Emeka Obiagwu, noted that the church has bent on partnering and assisting the government through its Christian Social Responsibilities (CSR).
Obiagwu, in his remark, noted that the science laboratories were rehabilitated with the sum of N15 million to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Rose of Sharon parish.
He said: “We thought it necessary to do something great for the community. We felt there is a need to touch lives and we felt it was important that we do a landmark project that 15 years from now it will still be obvious that lives have been impacted through this project.
“The burden was to ensure students learn in a conducive atmosphere. The committee went round to look for a landmark project and we identified that the school laboratory was in bad shape. We decided to refurbish, renovate and equip the laboratories.“
We have the chemistry, biology and physics laboratories fully rehabilitated and equipped.
“The representative of the honourable commissioner of education and the auditor general has said it all that there is a need to handle the laboratories with a lot of care because it costs a lot of money and it is through sacrifice we provide this. The students are also to be encouraged to have an ownership approach towards maintaining this infrastructure,” he said.
The former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Pastor Babatunde Fowler, who is also a member of the church, said the parish saw the need for conducive environment for the students to foster learning.
“We are here to commission the science laboratories. It is clear that the government cannot do it all by itself, so we decided to partner with the government to provide a conducive learning environment for the students.
“We believe that as the government does its best and the private sector supports, then the future of Nigeria, which are the students, will excel in their studies. I believe that with the conducive environment, the students will learn quicker. And we have to be mindful that they are our future.
The Commissioner of Education Lagos State, Folashade Adefisayo, who was represented by Mr. Ogunfuyi Hassan, commended the Rose of Sharon parish for partnering with the government in upgrading the education system in Lagos State.
“We want to appreciate the Rose of Sharon parish for the laudable program they have been out in place. The state government has been doing a lot but we can’t do it alone. We have over 300 schools in Lagos state and the government is working on some. Because we can’t do it alone we have to invite and appreciate private organisations to assist us to do some.
“As Oliver Twists, we will ask for more. We still want to do more and we are not tired of still seeking more assistance from you and other organisations,” Hassan said.
Speaking in the same vein of appreciation, the Principal, State Senior High School, Mrs. Adeola George, applauded the church for their support and also the Lagos state government for encouraging partnership.
She said: “This is a season of joy. I remember when the members of the church visited us and asked us what we needed and we responded with renovation of the laboratories.
“We are elated because we know what it was and we are saying what it is, there is a huge difference.
“We appreciate the Lagos State Government for encouraging partnership from organisation and religious centres to be involved in development.
“We are encouraging studies of science and technology. Everything has been supplied including the equipment.
“I promise that the performance in science will improve. When the students get to the laboratory, they will learn better.”
