In line with its vision to improve broadband penetration across Nigeria, MainOne has given a facelift to the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory of Herbert Macaulay Girls Secondary School, in Yaba, Lagos, by donating desktop computers, UPS power backup systems, and free internet service.
The renovated ICT Lab was commissioned under the auspices of the company’s “MainOne Connects”, a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative focused on education and youth development. The event had in attendance the Permanent Secretary of Education District 4, Lagos, Lola Are-Adegbite, represented by the Deputy Diretor, Samuel Akindipe; the school
Principal, Alice Akintade; representatives from leading technology companies in Yaba including Co-Creation Hub and Andela, among other education stakeholders.
Speaking on its contribution to the school, Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer, MainOne, who was represented by Kasope Akindele, the company’s Manager, Legal & Company
Secretary stressed the integral role of ICT in education, allowing the students access to vast amount of positive information.
“We have not only provided a well-equipped ICT Center; we are also going a step further to ensure that these students pursue careers in technology, via software tutoring programs, provided by our partners, Co-Creation Hub and Andela. Our initiative in schools is to drive the delivery of quality education. We are particularly delighted with this opportunity to promote technology to a female population,” he said.
Akintade, the school’s principal commended MainOne for upgrading the current ICT Center, adding that the school and the pupils are grateful to the Company for this kind gesture. She urged other corporate organisations to emulate MainOne.
Speaking with select journalists, Akindipe assured Nigerian’s that there have been major changes going in the Lagos state education sector and that more schools are adapting the use of computers as a learning tool.
“We are in a computer age and students now do not carry hard copy books around anymore, they read e-books and do online research which even more environmentally friendly as there is no need to waste paper and gradually Lagos state is going green,” he said.
Since inception, MainOne has been involved in various Schools in Nigeria, with yearly donations of study materials including school bags, text and exercise books, and renovation of critical infrastructure facilities. The Company’s contribution to the development of these schools forms a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility focus in Education and Technology.
Jumoke Akiyode
