By Our Correspondent

For the Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Operator of the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture and its employees, the desire to support the education sector for qualitative education is a top priority of schools in Nigeria as part of efforts to ensure students get qualitative education.

Oyo State commissioner for Education, Professor Solomon Olaniyonu commissioning the rebuilt blocks of classroom

On Wednesday, September 30, 2014, CNL and a group of its employees handed over a reconstructed two blocks of classroom at Community High School, Alegongo, Ibadan, to the Oyo State Government to ensure students of learn under congenial atmosphere. The project was executed by Chevron with in collaboration with a group of employees under an Employee Volunteer Program.

The scope of the project involved concrete flooring, reconstruction of external walkway, electrical fittings & lighting, painting, plastering, provision of metal windows and doors; and furniture.

In his remarks at the ceremony, CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Mr. Deji Haastrup, thanked the Government of Oyo and management of Community High School for supporting and ensuring the successful completion of the project.

Mr. Haastrup, who was represented at the event by Mr. Eribo Tuoyo, Senior Representative, Social Performance, said the intervention by Chevron in the education sector is predicated on the importance of education to national and societal development. “Chevron believes that education unlocks the potentials of the people, especially the youths, and galvanizes them for progressive development”, Mr. Haastrup stated.

Professor Solomon Oladapo Olaniyinu, Oyo State commissioner for Education, commended CNL and its employees “– for taking it upon themselves – without any prompting – to join the state government in its restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda on education. I thank Chevron and the company’s volunteer group for the renovated blocks of classroom we are commissioning today as they will no doubt help to move our education forward,” he added.

Mrs. S.O Salami, the principal of Community High School, also thanked Chevron and its employees for the renovation project, which, she believes will raise the standard of teaching and learning in the school.

Kemi Mustapha, a Process Safety Engineer, EGTL, who spoke on behalf of the employees, thanked  CNL Management and the principal of Community High School for their  support in the implementation of the project. Fifteen employees made financial contributions to execute the project. Their contributions were matched 100 per cent by the company.

Chevron’s educational support programmes include scholarship schemes for secondary school and university students across the country. Every year, no fewer than 6,000 students, including the visually impaired, benefit from the NNPC/Chevron scholarship awards.  Chev­ron also supports the provision of educational facilities and equipment including teach­ers’ residences, laboratories and research centers; and upgrade of such facilities where necessary in line with its strategic objec­tives.