By: Rahmatullah Mahmud
Leading telecommunications network, Airtel Nigeria has commissioned its 7th adopted school, Government Day Primary, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, ‘Adopt-A-School’.
The project was commissioned by the Emir of Gombe, alongside other notable guests, on the 24th of March, 2023, in Pantami, Gombe State.
The commissioning follows the renovation of 12 blocks of 37 classrooms and a total of 17 toilets which have now been upgraded to modern toilet facilities for the pupils and teachers.
Speaking during the event, State Business Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Moses Adejo, said, “Airtel is committed to improving the system of education in Nigeria, and we love to identify with basic school education where the nurturing starts from. This is because we truly believe in the saying that children are the future of this country”.
Also speaking at the event, The Emir of Gombe, represented by Falakin Gombe, Alhaji Kabiru Tshon, applauded Airtel for their support towards education in Gombe, as he expressed his delight to be a subscriber to Airtel Network.
“Thank you to Airtel Nigeria for this wonderful intervention which is the first of its kind in Gombe state. I am delighted to find out that Airtel can do so much to support education in our state. I am one of their subscribers, so I am pleased to say that my Airtel is making an impact in Gombe”, he said.
According to the Head Teacher, Government Day Nursery and Primary School, Sani Abubakar, Airtel is the first to carry out the such intervention in the school and the whole of Gombe state.
“This is the first historical event in our state in respect of intervention by any NGO or other organizations.
Government Day Primary School is the biggest school in the whole of Gombe state and Airtel did all it could to upgrade the classrooms and convert all the pit toilets into modern water cistern toilets. All the children now use a water cistern toilet, courtesy of Airtel.” he said.
Government Day Primary School is said to be the largest primary school in Gombe state, with a total population of seven thousand, one hundred and Nineteen (7119) pupils registered under the school for basic education, and a hundred and thirty-five (135) teachers who cater to their educational needs.
Since the inception of Airtel’s ‘Adopt-A-School’ initiative, Airtel Nigeria adopts dilapidated schools in rural areas and rehabilitates them at least for four years.
This is in line with Airtel’s commitment to improving the standard of education in Nigeria, and since the inception, Airtel has remained committed to the development of these schools.