Nelson Utip
Yougxing Steel Company Nigeria Ltd. have reconstructed Ozolua Primary School in Egun community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The school is the only one in the community serving the place and neighboring communities since 1955 when it was established.
The company expanded the school with an additional block, the institution was built by former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole during his red roof revolution programme.
The school was vandalized and laid bare by scavengers who removed the windows and iron fittings; the school also lacked chairs and tables as the children studied on the bare floor and the few chairs provided by community efforts.
After a series of appeals from the school and the community, Yongxing Steel Company Nigeria Limited operating in the area as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility came to the rescue.
The company reconstructed the buildings, supplied tables and chairs, including a generator and a borehole to serve the school and the community.
Handing over the refurbished school, a representative of the Chinese company, Hazel Han said the company was happy to contribute to the development of the community.
Han further announced a One million naira education support for 20 exceptionally brilliant pupils (fifty thousand to each of them) and appreciated the elders, leaders and the people of the community for their support and cooperation.
“Today is not simply about unveiling a renovated school building, it is about investing in the future of our children.
“Yongxing Steel Company firmly believes that education is one of the most powerful tools for transforming individuals, communities, and society. We therefore consider it a privilege to contribute, in our own little way, to creating a better learning environment for the children of Egun community.
“As part of this intervention, Yongxing Steel Company has carried out several improvements at the school. These include the provision of a borehole and water facilities, replacement of doors, repainting and beautification of the classrooms, provision of new chairs and other school furniture, decorations, books, writing materials, and other educational and school amenities necessary to make the learning environment more comfortable, attractive, and conducive for both pupils and teachers.
“We are particularly happy that the children, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of this project, will now have a more pleasant environment in which to learn, grow, and develop their talents.
“As a further demonstration of our commitment to the education and welfare of the children, Yongxing Steel Company Nigeria Limited will also present ₦50,000 each to 20 pupils of this school today, making a total educational support of ₦1,000,000.
“We believe that this gesture will provide encouragement to these pupils and remind them that their education, dreams, and future matter to us.
“I want to encourage you, the pupils, to make good use of this opportunity. study hard, respect your teachers and parents, be disciplined, and always believe in yourselves. The circumstances surrounding where you are today should never limit what you can become tomorrow.” She said.
She also called on the teachers to continue to give their best to the pupils and to the parents and guardians, “we urge you to continue supporting your children in their education. The responsibility for raising responsible and successful children belongs to all of us—parents, teachers, government, communities, and corporate organisations.
“Finally, we wish to reaffirm that Yongxing Steel Company Nigeria Limited remains committed to responsible corporate citizenship and to supporting meaningful initiatives that improve the lives of the people and communities around us. We believe that when businesses and communities work together, we can create sustainable development and a brighter future for everyone.” She continued.
In her comment on the gesture, the Head teacher of the school, Roseline Olayinka, expressed profound gratitude to Yougxing .
“I appreciate the company for coming to our aid, when I was posted to this school, I was having about 35 pupils, I started writing, I wrote to them severally, pleading that they should come and help me with chairs and renovate the school. When I did not get a response from them, I wrote again but this time, I involved the community and they responded. Today, I am overwhelmed and I thank the management of the company. The school is very fine now. I also appreciate Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he is doing, I also appreciate the Commissioner for Education, Washington Osifo and may God bless them. For the facility, we now have a security team to guard the compound. We were not keeping books here before but we can now put books here. After the renovation, the government approved one thousand naira per pupil which I gather and use to pay security and if the money is not enough, the community complements” She said.
Hon. Washington Osifo, the Commissioner for Education in Edo State who was represented by the Chief Inspector of Education (CIE), Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Mrs. Omono Ogbebor commended the company for the efforts.
“Education is the bedrock of any nation, we are here to commission a vision that will manifest tomorrow, what we have here today will produce leaders of tomorrow and this is in line with the vision of the government of Governor Monday Okpebholo to provide a conducive learning environment for our children.”She said.
The Okaighele (Youth Leader) of Egun community, Nosa Afiamagbon also lauded the Yougxing for the gesture.
“We feel good because of what they have done for us, we welcome them for staying in our community and their support. The school was founded in 1955 and during the time of Oshiomhole, he rebuilt the two buildings but they were vandalized by scavengers, they removed all the windows.
“After the rebuilding by the then Gov. Oshiomhole, there were no chairs. We donated money to do chairs and at a point, we wrote several times to the authorities but they did not respond, we even wrote to the Church of God Mission, the local government, but none of them responded, it is only this Chinese company that came to our rescue to rebuild the school and supply chairs and tables.” He said.
