Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited Donates a Block of 15 Classrooms, 3 Science Labs, ICT Centre, Borehole, Others to Ogbona Secondary School, Ogbona, Etsako Central, Edo State
By Elias Inaede
Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, an affiliate of ExxonMobil, has donated a block of I5 Classrooms with State of the art facilities to Ogbona Secondary School, Ogbona.
The building has components of 3 Science laboratories, an ICT Centre, a Reading Room, Principal and Vice Principal’s Offices, Staff Common Room, 20 toilets and furnishing and Equipment of 450 Students Desks/Teachers Tables/Chairs, Lab Equipment, 60 Computers and Accessories, Generator/Generator house and a borehole.
The importance of quality education no doubt especially Science technology World over cannot be overemphasized in view of the fact that therein lies the key to unlocking a community’s technological advancement. The paying of lip service to education by successive governments in Nigeria has contributed to the fallen of education standard in most parts of the country.
The result of this negligence on the part of government is obvious. Many of the State owned Schools are without qualified teachers, Vital Resource Centre, good Science laboratories as well as teaching aids .The consequences are both for the students and the host community.
Commissioning the project, the Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Dr. Gabriel Dunia prayed for the donors and their partners for yielding to the Clarion call of the Community.
Bishop Dunia appreciated the donors for their love towards the progress and well-being of the Students of the school and the community.
The Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona, HRH Willy Idode appealed to the State Government to accept the challenge of putting the projects to profitable use. He enumerated some of the school needs to include adequate number of teachers in all subjects areas, books and other learning materials amongst others.
The traditional Ruler commended Esso Exploration and Mr. Gilbert Odior for remembering the community and urged other Corporate Organizations to emulate such gestures for the overall improvement of the Nigerian Society.
In his address, Representative of Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited at the ceremony Mr. Peter Agba, said, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil heeded the Clarion call of Ogbona Community and decided to construct a story building in the School with the following components : 15 Classrooms, 3 Science laboratory,an I CT Centre, a Reading Room, Principal and Vice Principal’s Offices and Staff Common Room.
While wishing the Students best of learning in the new facility Mr. Aigba also appealed to the State Government for better staffing of the School to ensure the proper utilization of the State of the art facilities donated by Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited to improve the quality of learning in the School.
In her goodwill message, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said , the donation by Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited was a demonstration of their Corporate responsibility to contribute to the educational development in the Country.
The Senior Secondary School Principal , Mr. Thaddeus Anabor, commended Esso Exploration, adding that, the task of building and rebuilding a citadel of learning was an enormous one that requires unity and cooperation from all and sundry.
He also commended Ogbona Elites Forum for the employment and regular payment of thirteen temporal teachers in the past six years to impact the standard of learning in the School.
