Telecommunications service provider, Etisalat Communications, has been commended for its Adopt-A-School initiative. The project is a pan-Nigeria intervention programme by the telco aimed at improving the quality of education through the creation of conducive learning environments for students in Nigeria.

Kano State Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, gave the commendation on Tuesday while speaking at the formal unveiling of facilities refurbished by Etisalat Nigeria at Government Girls’ College, Dala.

The Deputy Governor applauded Etisalat for combining its core business function of providing quality telecoms services with strategic contributions to the development of the society in various areas through initiatives like the Adopt-A-School programme.

In his words, “Today, we are witnessing the result of a strategic partnership. It is very clear to us that given our identity as the most densely populated state in the country, the huge demand on education cannot be borne by Government alone without external support. Therefore, it is very heart-warming to see Etisalat take this initiative of adopting a school with the objective of making sure that it brings about positive infrastructural development and enhanced quality of learning through the provision of educational facilities.”

Prof. Abubakar also noted that the intervention will help the Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration in achieving its objective of ‘providing education for all’, especially for the girl child. According to him, Kano State needs about 15,000 classrooms in state-owned secondary schools to enable them take in the 30% of secondary school prospects who have not been able to go on to secondary school upon completing primary education.

Also speaking, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, who was represented by the company’s Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, reiterated the commitment of the telecoms operator to partner with the Kano state government in achieving its developmental goals in critical areas, particularly education.

“Etisalat is proud to be able to contribute positively to achieve the government’s objective of improving the Education system. We will continue to collaborate to move the state and indeed the nation forward, even as we work towards being the telecommunications partner of choice for Nigeria. We laud Kano State government, for recognising the potential of and encouraging public private partnership,” he said.

The renovated facilities under the first phase of the project that the Deputy Governor, Prof. Abubakar, commissioned include the school’s library which was fitted with furniture and books, Kwankwaso Hostel Block, the ICT Centre equipped with 20 sets of computers, a modern science laboratory, solar-powered potable water facility and seven classrooms with chairs and tables.

Notable Government functionaries who attended the event include Honourable Baffa Babba Dan-Agundi, Chairman, Committee on Education, Kano State House of Assembly; Mallam Ahmad Dan Kano representing the Maigirma Hakimi Danbatta Sarkin Bai Kano, Alhaji Muktar Adnan; Dr, Bukari Ado, SA to the Kano State Governor on Education and Abdullahi Gaizawa, Vice Chairman, Dala Local Government.

•Photo shows, L-R; Etisalat Nigeria’s Manager, CSR, Oyetola Oduyemi, Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf, and Head, Regional Sales, North, Mukadas Babangida watching with interest as the Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, cuts the tape to commission a hostel block renovated by Etisalat Nigeria in Girls’ Government College, Dala, Kano State, on Tuesday.

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