Quality education is key for the development of any nation and a sound education is the bedrock of development and advancement in every sphere of life. The provision of the model classroom blocks underscores our resolute commitment to promote quality science education in Nigeria in line with our corporate responsibility programmes.
The commissioning and handover ceremony of the model classroom block donated to Government Secondary School, Uke, Nasarawa State took place in the school premises.
Dignitaries at the event include: The Commissioner of special education science and technology Prof. Ayuba, representing the Governor of Nasarawa State; the Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Ahmed Aliu Tijani; Emir of Uke, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Hassan; Principal of the school, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi and other government officials of the State. Representatives for the Agbami Partners – Famfa Oil Limited, Star Deepwater Petroleum Limited, Equinor Nigeria Limited formerly Statoil, Petroleo Brasileiro Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) were also present at the handover ceremony.
The Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Ahmed Aliu Tijani in his welcome address thanked the Agbami partners for their intervention in education in Nasarawa State. He said that the Government Secondary School, Uke was established in 1974 and had been fulfilling its mandate of turning around the fortunes of many people within and beyond Uke environs in all sphere of life through qualitative education and sound moral upbringing. He said that the state is appreciative of this great donation.
In his remarks, the Director Deepwater assets of Star deep water petroleum Mr. Rick Kennedy, who was represented by Mr. Daniel Agbofode said that the provision of this model classroom block with fully furnished and equipped Physics, Chemistry, Biology laboratories and Fine Arts studio is one of the programs of the Agbami partners social investment plan aimed at improving science education amongst secondary school students in Nigeria. The Agbami partners according to him have also instituted specialized educational scholarship programs in support of manpower development in Nigeria, through targeted scholarship support for medical, nursing, laboratory sciences and engineering students. And that since inception of the scholarship scheme in 2009, more than 56 students from Nasarawa State have benefitted from it. The Agbami partners in 2012, donated a fully equipped Chest Clinic in ERCC Medical Center Alushi, Nasarawa State.
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura who was represented by the Commissioner of special education science and technology Prof. Ayuba, thanked the Agbami partners on behalf of the government and people of Nasarawa State for partnering with the government to improve the level of education in the state. He furthered stated that Nasarawa State being a mineral producing state need a very good level of education to enable the people exploit the minerals. And that the issue of sustainability of the model classroom block has been covered because it is located within an existing school. He said that the best way for them to show their appreciation of this social investment is to look after it.
