Etisalat Lifts Primary Education in North East with Educational Kits

Lagos, Nigeria; April 26, 2016: As part of sustained efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Education in the country, Etisalat Nigeria, has partnered with a non-governmental organisation, Abuja Global Shapers Community and the Governments of North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to provide free education support to primary school pupils in the states.

The initiative tagged, “Community School Support Programme (CSSP)” features donation of Back-to-School kits, including school uniforms and bags, to pupils drawn from 10 primary schools in the states. This is part of the company’s multi-faceted CSR programme that is committed to giving value to communities through various intervention programmes covering education, health, etc.

The beneficiary schools are Yerwa Practising Primary School, Abbaganaram Primary School and Bulumkutu Primary School all in Borno State; Katuzu Community School, Gashua, Central Primary School, Potiskum and Lawan Kawuri Primary School, Geidam, all in Yobe State; and, Wuro Hausa Primary School, Yola Town, Community School, Demsa and Tudun Wada Primary School, Mayo Belwa in Adamawa State.

Speaking about the initiative at the formal presentation of the kits to beneficiary schools in Maiduguri, Borno state on Monday, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the partnership is intended to enhance ongoing efforts aimed at making basic education available and sustainable.

Mr. Dikko, who was represented by the company’s Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, reiterated the commitment of the telecommunications giant to sustainable development initiatives that impact on the wellbeing of the populace across various sectors.

“Etisalat Nigeria is committed to delivering sustainable community support programmes that will complement public services and extend benefits to the grassroots across Nigeria. We are proud to be able to contribute positively to achieving the objective of improving our partner states especially in the area of Education. We will continue to collaborate to move the states and indeed the nation forward” he assured.

Also speaking, the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kobo represented by the Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education, commended Etisalat for pursuing causes that serve the interest of the societies in which it operates. He identified investment in education as one fundamental way to secure a progressive future while advancing the cause of the larger society.

“Today, if we are not mindful of the education sector, tomorrow, we will have incompetent lawyers and as a result, people will lose their liberty, we are going to have incompetent doctors, and as a result, people will lose their lives, we are going to have incompetent engineers and as result, bridges will collapse, roads will fail. If we are to be called a civilized society, we should take time and make sacrifices for the future. This is the lesson Etisalat is teaching us. Etisalat as a corporate organisation is mindful of its social responsibility,” he said.

Notable personalities at the Presentation include the Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education, Hassan Mustapha, Member, Borno State Education Board, Engr. Mohammed Gamboni; Representative of Borno State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mallam Lawan Gulde; Chairman, National Union of Teachers, Borno State Chapter, Bulama Abiso; Director of School Services, Borno SUBEB, Ali Bukar Dogo; Director, Schools, Ministry of Education, Borno State, Abba Yarema Habib and Member, Executive Committee, NBA, Borno State, Barrister Ando Baba.