OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — As part of its corporate social responsibility and fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals, SDGs goal to provide quality education for all, TotalEnergies and its OML 130 partners on have commissioned and handed over a state of the art Information Communication Technology, ICT centre at the Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, Ogun state.
The event had in attendance government dignitaries, Obas, ministry of education representatives, old student association representatives, students and members of the community in attendance.
The ultra modern ICT centre designed to build capacity of both teachers and students, while also improving online academic capacity in line with global best practices, contains a total of 120 computers, record rooms, stores and offices, mini theatre and 35KVA solar panels for 24 hours uninterrupted power supply to the facility.
At the commissioning, Frank Anosike, the project manager disclosed that the centre is the best in the state, and that it will not only be useful to the students, but also the community and the state at large.
He added that the centre would also serve the purpose of online registration, examination centre and other educational functions related to ICT.
While delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Managing Director, TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mike Sangster, the General Manager, Administration, Deepwater District, Port Harcourt, Patrick Somiari said the completion and commissioning of the project is in furtherance of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of its deepwater operations.
“On behalf of the Management and Staff of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, our senior Partners, NNPC, and our OML 130 Partners: PRIME 130, SAPETRO & CNOOC, I warmly welcome you all to the commissioning and handover of this project. The completion and commissioning of this project is in furtherance of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of our Deepwater Operations. These projects were borne out of the need to mitigate the gaps in Qualitative and Technical Education, Maternal & Child Health, Access to Clean Water, and Women & Youth Empowerment. They are in congruence with the related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The locations of these projects have also been very carefully chosen for maximum impact, coming from a Needs Assessment carried out before the deployment”.
In 2016, TotalEnergies commenced its robust plan to deploy CSR Infrastructure developments across the country. In its 1 Phase, a total of 33 projects were launched in 2017 in the areas of Education, Health, Capacity Building and Access to Water across the country. Twenty-Eight projects have since been completed. In its 2nd Phase another 24 projects were launched in 2018 and yet another 27 projects were launched in 2019 in the 3rd Phase. Out of these 56 ongoing projects in the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Phases, 11 are currently being commissioned while 45 are still under construction, to be commission them on completion.
Bala Wunti, Group Generel Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, ably represented by Bunmi Lawson said the NNPC will continue to consistently champion the implementation of Sustainable Community Development projects that will positively impact the lives of the citizens of this country.
“The completion and commissioning of this project in 2021, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the Nigerian Government through its Oil and Gas sector. is in furtherance of the In NNPC, our vision for social intervention is to continue to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner and deal with the environment and social impacts occasioned by our activities. We pride ourselves in our slogan “we touch your lives in many positive ways” hence the approval for the deployment of various CSR projects by our operators across the country for maximum impact. NNPC along with its Partners have implemented various projects in the areas of education (building and equipping of schools/ classrooms, laboratories, donation of books, scholarships, Quiz competitions, etc.) skill acquisitions and economic empowerment, healthcare, solar power and other infrastructural intervention projects. These projects were borne out of the need to mitigate the gaps in Health Care, Quality Education, Water, and Women & Youth Empowerment in line with the relevant Millennium Development Goals (MDG). NNPC and its Partners are socially responsible organizations committed to improving the livelihood of the citizens of our great country, Nigeria”, she said.
Mrs Adeniji Tutuola, pioneer Head Girl of the school, also representing the old student association of the school, and the school Principal Sulaiman sekumade, expressed gratitude to TotalEnergies and its partners for the laudable initiative, adding that it was the first time the school would be remembered by the government.
“We want to appreciate NNPC and partners for remembering Aiyetoro school since it was donated by USAID”, she said, adding that since the establishment of the school, projects have been executed through contribution by the association and the school. She advised the school management to maintain the facility, and that the students and staff should also put it to proper use.
Commissioner for educational, science and technology of the state, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu while acknowledging the donors, said the project was a landmark achievement in the area of development of information technology in the state. He also called on the school management to ensure adequate maintenance of the facility.
Performing the inauguration, the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Azeez Ishola Adelakun said it is a unique intervention that will change the narrative of the community for good
He applauded the efforts of the donors and urged others to emulate their magnanimity.
Being one of the best CBT centre in town,the structure will assist towards the proposed policy on online examinations which are done at CBT centres.
The new complex will further serve as the community resource center for the conduct of research, teaching and learning and academic development for both the staff and student including the larger community.