Mobile Telephone Network (MTN) Foundation, has distributed learning materials to no fewer than 287 students of Junior Government Secondary School, Lafia West, Nasarawa State.
Mr ThankGod Otorkpa, Regional General Manager of MTN, distributed the learning materials, which comprised of school bags and notebooks to the beneficiaries on Wednesday in Lafia.
He said that the gesture, under the MTN Foundation Learning Support Material Initiative, was borne out of the company’s belief that education was critical to the growth of any nation.
Otorkpa said that the programme was designed to empower students with essential academic tools.
“This is our commitment to foster enabling environment, support and access to quality education,” he said.
The regional general manager maintained that the distribution of the materials goes beyond just supporting the students’ studies, but a stepping stone towards the achievement of their aspirations.
“The true impact of these materials depends on how you choose to use them.
“Strive for excellence and let your dedication, discipline and focus shape your learning journey,” Otorkpa admonished the students.
He appreciated the school management for their invaluable role in nurturing the students to become good future leaders.
He also commended the collaboration of the Wife of Nasarawa State governor, Hajiya Silifat Sule, towards the success of the exercise.
Otorkpa said that Nasarawa State would remain a focus in the company’s collaborative efforts to drive growth and development for more positive impact.
In her remarks, wife of Nasarawa State governor, Silfat Sule, thanked MTN Foundation for the initiative aimed at complementing government’s efforts in the education sector.
The governor’s wife was represented by Hajiya Hashia Ahmed, Secretary of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
“You have demonstrated through this gesture, that you are not leaving government alone to take responsibility of education, which is a vital aspect of human development,” she said.
She urged other corporate organisations to emulate MTN Foundation to collaborate with the state government to develop the education sector, saying that education for all was the responsibility of all.
Responding on behalf beneficiaries, Mrs Mariam Bala, Principal of the school, said all the beneficiaries were drawn from Junior Secondary School one, (JSS1).
She thanked MTN Foundation for choosing their school for the intervention, saying that the items would go a long way to facilitate learning and ease the burden on the parents of the students.
Bala gave assurances that the students would make judicious use of the items in their education pursuit.(NAN)
