In a renewed quest to improve the quality of education available to the young ones through social investment in critical infrastructure required to equip them with the requisite skills for competing in today’s knowledge economy, ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited recently donated E-learning centres to three primary schools in Lagos State.
The E-centers which comes under the Erha North phase 2, Community Assistance programme of EPC3 aside from exacting standard s, were equipped with facilities such as Standard computer tables and chairs, monitors, servers, internet modems for wireless connectivity, E-library and E-learning software and BrainFriend software for effective instruction in relevant local curriculum.
John Unietis, project manager, ExxonMobil Nigeria Affiliates while speaking during the commissioning and handing over of one of the centers at Obalende Nursery and Primary School, Ikoyi, said the E-Centers are geared towards availing the young ones in these schools with modern facilities comparable to some of the best primary institutions in the country.
The three beneficiary primary schools are Ansar Ud-Deen Nursery and primary school, Ebute Metta; Awoyaya Nursery and primary school, Victoria Island and Obalende Nursery and primary school, Ikoyi.
According to him, “We specifically selected these schools in order to optimise the impact of the vast array of e-learning resources being donated and commissioned today on their pupils, some of whom may not have had any prior contact with the equipment in these centers
He pointed out that this will enhance the chances of the pupils competing on equal footing with their counterparts in these schools and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the Nigeria economy in due course.
Unietis disclosed that Teachers in these schools have also been selected and trained on the use and maintenance of the facilities in the three E-centers to ensure that the beneficiary schools enjoy the facilities being donated on a sustainable basis.
“These E-centers being donated today are also an important expression of our social investment philosophy at ExxonMobil, especially in the area of promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education. Over the years, we have committed considerable sums to STEM education across various level in Nigeria towards improving it overall quality and appeal to our young ones”. He said.
The project manager further thanked all stakeholders involved in the community Assistance project, for their invaluable support and contribution to the success of the projects being commissioned.
He hope the E-centers will help develop and nurture youths to the levels of education excellence Nigeria so dearly needs to become one of the leading economies globally.
Toyin Cexton Martins, Executive secretary, Ikoyi Obalande applauded the company for the donation and called for more support from corporate organisations to support the growth and development of public primary education.
Ugochukwu Udeagha, Communication Manager, ExxonMobil while commissioning the project pointed out that the students deserved the best in life because they will be competing with other students from privileged background in the labour space in the future.
He called on the school management to maintain the computers and ensure it is always in use.
KELECHI EWUZIE
