By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Thursday tasked corporate organisations on the need to support the course of developing education at all levels as part of their corporate social responsibility .
He said no government has the capacity of doing it alone in the midst of the numerous challenges without the active participation and support of the individuals and private sector.
Tambuwal spoke in Takatuku town , Bodinga local government of the state while flagging off the distribution of 30 Buffalo bicycles model to benefiting students of GDSS Takatuku under the GTBank pilot community empowerment scheme” CARES” for the development of education in Sokoto state.
The scheme had earmarked a total of 120 bicycles accompanied by helmet and exercise books for distribution to 4 schools across , Takatuku, Silame, Tambuwal and Ummaruma communities respectively.
However, the beneficiaries were selected from across communities based on barriers of distance and records of late coming to the school.
He said it was imperative for corporate private organisations to extend support to government in shaping a quality, effective and efficient educational system that would promote excellence through intervention initiatives.
” We are greatful to GTBank’s unequalled initiative as foremost corporate organisation for driving such a wonderful concept for education standards as well unique competitiveness in the state and nation in general. Not just for the volume but the motive and impact to the development of education in the state”, he pointed out.
Tambuwal recalled that the state government had to impose a state of emergence on the sector as a result of dwindling state of education in the state which he observed was occasioned by near decay in facilities, inadequate infrastructure as well lack of teaching aid among others.
” I will like to call on other corporate organisations to key in and emulate GTBank especially those who are benefiting even better than GTBank in the state and nation in general to enhance school boys and girls interest as well reduce hardships among citizens.”
The governor also advised parents and guardians to the beneficiaries to take charge of guiding them on how best to utilise the rare window of opportunity and privilege initiated by GTBank.
In his remarks, representative of the Managing Director and Divisional Head, Northwest, Mr Ahmed Liman said the bank was always on top of its Corporate Social Responsibility burden to showcase it’s commitment to the development of humanity especially those core areas as education, infrastructure, poverty reduction among other primary concerns of the public.
” We want to build a future where no Nigerian child is absent or drops out of school due to the barrier of distance. The scheme is in stages, from Enugu to Taraba and from Sokoto to Ondo and across Nigeria”
According to Liman” the essence is for GTBank to bridge the gap between children and their education. It is a chance to not only beat distance but poverty too.
” It is necessary for us to build a world where education is accessible and distance no longer stands as a barrier to its attainment”, he stressed.
Liman further disclosed that there were numerous areas under the scheme which the bank was planning to accomplish in order to enhance and promote development adding that” We are aware that in rural Nigeria, millions of children walk for hours just to get to school and back. This with other chores pose challenges especially for girls travelling on steep terrains which in turn , affects their performance and eventually dropping it of school for obvious reasons of difficulties”, he explained.
Also, Alhaji Bello Guiwa, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, acknowledged the positive efforts of the bank living up to its name, adding that” your vision for humanity development is a mark of strength and patriotism for educational advancement in the state and hope that others will follow your step”, just as the school Principal Bello Tsoho expressed appreciation and thanked the bank for its laudable initiative and selecting the school as one of the few benefiting communities.
” Today, we have no fewer than 30 male and female students from the school as beneficiaries. We are sincerely greatful to GTBank for guaranteeing the future of our children education through this wonderful support”, he said.
