An agriculture processing firm in Kwara has donated a renovated block of two classrooms to the Community Junior Secondary School, Ogbondoroko, in the state’s Asa local government area, to strengthen ties with the farming community.
Outspan Nigeria Limited (ofi) renovated the project, which included two offices, and Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, commissioned it.
During the project’s commissioning on Thursday, Rajeesh Neelanjeri, the firm’s general manager, stated that Ofi was devoted to establishing thriving farms, happy communities, and sustainable healthy food systems.
“We also support education in line with our social and sustainability goals. We desire to maintain stronger partnership ties and hopefully build new relationships with both existing stakeholders and new ones”, he said.
Also speaking, the factory manager, Alhaji Ajibade Idris, said that the firm is determined to encourage improvement in educational infrastructure and quality of education in order to help students.
“We are happy to improve this school and look forward to the good things that will come from
it, because investing in education builds a more sustainable future,” he said.
The school principal (JSS), Mrs Afusat Alawonla, who expressed appreciation for the project, said that it would increase students’ enrolment in the school.
Alawonla narrated the experience before the renovation, saying, “Before we used planks at the centre of the classrooms to hold the ceiling from falling.
“There were no windows. Anytime it rained, students would need to move to another class and this would stop learning temporarily. But a minute lost can never be regained. However, I thank the Almighty Allah because our experience is now a testimony,” she said.
The school principal (JSS), who also praised the efforts of the KWSUBEB chairman and Asa LGEA acting secretary to ensure that every child in Kwara state receives basic education, thanked the principal and staff of the senior section of the school for accommodating the JSS III students in one of their classrooms during the renovation period.
She emphasised the school’s other requirements, which include seats and tables for students, a staffroom and offices for teachers, office chairs and tables, student scholarships, learning materials, more classrooms, an examination hall, science equipment, and a perimeter fence.
The event was witnessed by the member, House of Assembly, representing the area, Hon. Bello Oniboki, traditional and religious leaders, representatives of the state commissioner for Education, Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, Mrs. Bola Adegoke, staff and management of the agricultural firm, amongst others.