Airtel Nigeria, a telecommunications company, announced the opening of its seventh adopted school, Government Day Primary, as part of its ‘Adopt-A-School’ corporate social responsibility initiative.
According to a statement released by Airtel on Tuesday, the project was inaugurated on March 24, 2023, in Pantami, Gombe State, by the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and other dignitaries.
It was stated that the commissioning came after the renovation of 12 blocks, totaling 37 classrooms and 17 restrooms, which have since been upgraded to provide teachers and students with modern restroom facilities.
The State Business Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Moses Adejo, said “Airtel is committed to improving the system of education in Nigeria and loves to identify with basic school education where the nurturing starts.”
He explained, “This is because we firmly believe that children are this nation’s future.”
The Emir of Gombe, Shehu Abubakar, who was represented by Kabiru Tshon, the Falakin Gombe, praised Airtel for its assistance with education in the state.
Abubakar expressed appreciation for Airtel’s excellent response, the first of its kind in Gombe.
“I am thrilled to learn that Airtel can support education in our state in such a significant way. I subscribe to them, so I’m happy to report that my line is having an effect in Gombe,” he said.
The head teacher of Government Day Nursery and Primary School, Sani Abubakar, claimed that Airtel was the first to implement such a change in the school and Gombe state at large.
“This is the first historical occurrence involving outside organization intervention in our state.
“The largest school in Gombe State is Government Day Primary School, and Airtel made every effort to upgrade the classrooms and replace all of the pit toilets with modern water systems.
“Thanks to Airtel, all the kids now use the water system toilet,” he said.
The statement claims that Government Day Primary School, which has 7,119 students registered under the School for Basic Education, is the largest primary school in Gombe state.
It stated that there were 135 teachers at the school to meet their educational needs.
Since the start of Airtel’s “Adopt-A-School” program, the Telecom has adopted run-down schools in rural areas and has been renovating them for at least four years.