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Tag: Professor Abayomi Arigbabu

  • Lafarge Africa Renovates Christian Pelamourges Memorial Baptist Day Nursery and Primary School, Agbesi in Ogun State

    Lafarge Africa Renovates Christian Pelamourges Memorial Baptist Day Nursery and Primary School, Agbesi in Ogun State

    As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Lafarge Africa Plc, a member of the Huaxin Group, a leading Nigerian building solutions company, has reaffirmed its commitment to quality education and community development through the remodeling and upgrading of Christian Pelamourges Memorial Baptist Day Nursery and Primary School, Agbesi, Ewekoro, Ogun State.

    The comprehensive renovation encompassed the refurbishment of five blocks of classroom, extension of the Head Teacher’s office, and the construction of new dining and toilet facilities. It also included significant structural improvements such as new roofing, electrical and plumbing works, plastering, tiling, and painting across the classroom blocks. In addition, new furnishings, desks, chairs, a football field, library shelves, and dining tables were also provided to enhance comfort and functionality, a fully functional playground and football field for pupils and staff alike.

    Speaking on the project, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said that the initiative reflects the company’s dedication to advancing education as a key driver of sustainable development.

    “At Lafarge Africa, we believe that quality education is one of the most powerful tools for building the future of children. Through projects like the Christian Pelamourges Memorial Baptist Day Nursery and Primary School, Agbesi renovation, we are not only improving infrastructure but also empowering young minds and creating an environment where learning can truly thrive. This investment demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the social fabric of our host communities and ensuring that no child is left behind,” Alade-Akinyemi said.

    Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, said the renovation aligned with the state’s school facility rehabilitation programme. 

    “Ogun State government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun is intentional about education by deliberately and scientifically rehabilitating the state education facilities. We cannot do this alone and that is where the private sector comes in. We appreciate Lafarge for this global standard facility which aligns with the state’s rehabilitation pillars. The company has again demonstrated its commitment to giving back to its community. I encourage you to do more so that the impact can be felt more. I also assure you that this facility will be properly maintained,” Arigbabu said.

    The Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Joshua Ifede, commended Lafarge Africa for its partnership and community development aimed at securing the future of our children.

    Expressing gratitude on behalf of the SUBEB, he said: “SUBEB expresses profound appreciation to Lafarge for this investment. You have shown that corporate social responsibility can indeed be a noble assignment. This is a global standard upgrade that will enhance the teaching process, promote engagement among the pupils and motivate the teachers”.

    The Head Teacher, Christian Pelamourges Memorial Baptist Day Nursery and Primary School, Agbesi, Mrs Ayoola Oluwaseunayo, expressed appreciation to Lafarge Africa for the transformation, describing it as a life-changing intervention that will impact generations of learners.

    To show appreciation to Lafarge Africa for providing a suitable environment to promote their learning and development, the elated students presented a beautiful song that they had composed for the company.

    During the ceremony Lafarge Africa Plc also donated 2,000 copies of Mathematics textbooks to the Ogun State government to support the preparation of students for their Senior School Certificate Examination.  

    The Christian Pelamourges Memorial Baptist Day Nursery and Primary School, Agbesi renovation project exemplifies Lafarge Africa’s broader sustainability agenda, which focuses on empowering communities. By investing in young learners and providing better educational facilities, Lafarge continues to build lasting value in the communities where it operates.

  • Nestlé Nigeria restates commitment to promoting youth education in her host communities

    Nestlé Nigeria restates commitment to promoting youth education in her host communities

    Nestlé Nigeria PLC has announced the second phase of her community scholarship scheme for youth of her host communities. The scholarship scheme is positioned to enable deserving students of her host communities to attain their educational and personal aspirations through financial sponsorship.

    The scheme launched in 2020 for the host communities of the company’s factories located at Sagamu Interchange, Ogun State and Abaji, Federal Capital Territory, has been extended to include the host community of the company’s third factory in Agbara, Ogun State.

    The scheme which is in two categories, senior secondary and tertiary, will grant funds to cover tuition, accommodation, uniform, books and other expenses for the duration of beneficiaries’ education in the respective categories.

    This program is aligned to Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 4 – ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030. Education is key to prosperity as it opens a world of opportunities.

    Several factors including inadequate infrastructure, lack of opportunities, accessibility and affordability are top issues limiting access to quality education in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Nestlé Community Scholarship Scheme seeks to help bridge the gap by providing financial support to help youth complete their science and technology studies in the secondary and tertiary categories.

    Speaking at the event to introduce the Nestlé Scholarship scheme in Agbara, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka said, “In a nation with a high youth population like ours, it is clear that communities cannot thrive if they fail to offer a future for younger generations. Nestlé Community Scholarship Scheme aims to contribute towards creating a future for youth by preparing them to participate in the industry. The focus on science and technology is deliberate to build much-needed local capacity.”

    “We are therefore pleased to announce the extension of the scheme to deserving youths in Agbara. The scholarship awards cover the cost of tuition, accommodation, uniforms and books for the duration of beneficiaries’ studies so long as they attain the minimum required academic performance each year.”

    The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, represented by the Zonal Education Officer, Ado-Odo Ota, Mr. Olugbenga Kikisuhu, commended Nestlé for the initiative. He said, “A modest history is being recorded here today as Nestlé Nigeria PLC has taken a giant step by extending its love and generosity to better the lots of underprivileged and deserving indigenous students of Agbara community. One of the most important scholarship benefits to our society is that it gives us engineers, doctors, academics, lawyers and scientists from backgrounds that ordinarily could not have met up with the financial burdens of education”.

    On his part, the Alagbara of Agbara Kingdom, HRM Oba (Barr.) Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade, Olute III said, “This scholarship scheme is a laudable initiative by Nestlé Nigeria PLC. I am delighted to be part of this event promoting the education and empowerment of youth in Agbara. The company has positively impacted the community over the years and we have enjoyed a good relationship”.

    One of the beneficiaries of the scholarship in the tertiary category, Rereloluwa Obafemi-Moses, a Medical Student at the University of Lagos, expressed her delight at being selected as one of the beneficiaries of the scheme. She said that the award means a lot to her as it will further motivate her increased commitment to her academics. She also appreciated Nestlé Nigeria for its investment in young Nigerians.

    The event had stakeholders including community leaders, youth leaders, principals of beneficiary secondary schools, parents and education officials in attendance.

    109 students drawn from the company’s communities around Owode-Egba, Sagamu, Abaji and Agbara currently benefit from the scheme. They were selected based on their academic performance and rigorous verification processes.

    The company continues to make a meaningful difference in her host communities by creating initiatives to help youth unlock their potential. Through the scholarship scheme, Nestlé continues to help build the next generation of science and technology professionals. This is another of the many ways through which the company Creates Shared Value to help build thriving communities.

  • Teach For Nigeria commemorates the International Day of Education

    …urges continued support from government & education stakeholders to transform education

    Teach for Nigeria, a non-profit organization focused on expanding educational and life opportunities for low-income children has joined the rest of the world to mark the 4th International Day of Education. Since 2017, the organization has been focused on providing quality education to all children regardless of their backgrounds.

    To commemorate this year’s International Day of Education, Teach For Nigeria organised a week-long stakeholder’s engagement to sensitise stakeholders on their role in transforming the foundational education system. These meetings also provided the opportunity to deepen relationships with critical stakeholders and secure partnerships towards achieving educational equity. The engagement concluded with a closing ceremony in Ogun State and had in attendance school leaders from public schools, government officials, parents, religious leaders, Teach For Nigeria fellows and students.

    In a keynote speech, the CEO, Teach For Nigeria, Folawe Omikunle, reiterated the organization’s commitment to attaining an excellent education for all children in Nigeria. She said that transforming education in service to all children regardless of their economic status requires an urgent need to work more collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve a transformed and equitable education for all children. She noted that while progress had been made there is still room to improve the situation for millions of children who had limited or no access to quality education.  

    Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for education in Ogun State, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, represented by the Special Adviser to the governor on primary and secondary education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, said  “The fellowship programme of Teach for Nigeria has attracted numerous achievements in the state’s education that cannot be undervalued.  The active participation of the Fellows in Ogun Digi class, a digital class on TV for students, added colours to the State government initiative. She praised the organization for the continuous training and retraining capacity of Fellows’ development since 2017. She ended her speech by encouraging the Fellows to keep up with the spirit of leading and impacting.”

    Mr. Olu-Ola Aikulola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, also commented on how Teach For Nigeria is raising a crop of young leaders who are gifts to under-served communities in Ogun State. While recounting the numerous achievements some of the Fellows are making through their schools and community, he urged the zonal education officers, SUBEB field officials and teachers to continue to work in a deeper partnership with the Fellows and Alumni of Teach For Nigeria.

    A 2020 Teach For Nigeria Fellow, Charles Bernard, recounted his experience to highlight the importance of partnership. Charles noted that at the school he was posted to serve, only 5% of his pupils at a public primary school in Ilaro could read. Working with Ifeoluwa Olubodun, another fellow, they introduced a literacy drill program to improve the reading and writing skills for affected children and now, the initial reading and writing skills has grown to 62%. He also discovered that some children had eye problems which led to a partnership with an optical firm to provide eye-care intervention to more than 200 pupils and aged members in the community. 

    Highlighting education as the bedrock of every nation, Folawe noted that accelerating impact for a transformed education system that will serve all children equitably would require more dynamic leaders like Bernard. Leaders working in deep partnership with students, teachers, parents and community members will drive positive learning outcomes for children and provide opportunities to help them fulfil their potential. Folawe sought Ogun state’s support to deepen its partnership with Teach for Nigeria to place fellows in under-resourced schools.

    This year’s International Day of Education, which marked the fourth since it was proclaimed in 2018 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), highlighted the need for a new way forward in transforming the education sector.

  • Gov Abiodun talk tough on sex for mark.

    Gov Abiodun talk tough on sex for mark.

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday threatened to exercise ‘the full weight of the law’ on any lecturer who takes sexual advantage of their students or sexually harasses them.

    Abiodun said his administration would not condone any form of sexual intimidation or other vices in any of Ogun State-owned institutions of higher learning.

    The governor made this known at the 11th convocation ceremony of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode.

    He described the much-talked about sexual harassment as a thing of shame, adding that such a thing should not happen in any tertiary institution where discipline is taken seriously.

    He, however, commended the vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, for the sensitisation and warning publications embarked upon on the pages of national dallies.

    He said the zero tolerance of the institution for sexual harassment is a pointer that indiscipline by any staff would not be condoned.

    He said “Government notes with pride the sensitisation and warning publication by the vice-chancellor of this great institution.

    “This government will not close its eyes to indiscipline and unwholesome attitude on the part of any staff.”

    The governor announced an automatic employment for the overall best graduating student in the College of Vocational and Technical Education, Bolatito Matthew Olatunde.

    In his convocation address, the VC of the university, Arigbabu, disclosed that the institution has embarked on the process of restructuring the academic programmes so as to revolutionise the teaching profession and also improve the quality of school services.

    He said the institution was graduating a total of 3,361 students, out of which 37 obtained First Class.