The Executive Director, Jewels of Africa Foundations (Africa Chapter) -Mr. Deji Haastrup handing over one of the books to Dr. Mrs. D.I. Oke – Principal of Iluemeje Community Grammar School, Mahintedo.
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and CNL (NNPC/CNL JV), in partnership with the Jewels of Africa Foundations (JOA) have recently donated over 12,000 books on Science, Mathematics as well as English language to 37 public schools in Delta and Ondo States respectively.
CNL in a statement signed by the External Communications Coordinator, Victor Anyaegbudike and issued to THISDAY weekend noted that 16 of the schools that benefitted from the donation are located in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas, Delta State, while the remaining 21 schools are located in the Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State.
The CNL’s General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Brikinn Esimaje, said they were very delighted to have partnered with several state governments in the country over the years; including Ondo and Delta states governments in adding value to people’s lives in the areas of education, health and economic development.
He added that between 2007 and 2016, 15,900 undergraduates and secondary school students from Ondo and Delta states have benefitted from CNL’s scholarships, stressing that these include visually impaired and physically challenged students.
According to him, “The donation is in line with the NNPC/CNL JV’s Tradition of Care which includes a robust support for quality education in the pursuit of its social investment obligations. The company views education as a crucial social service that needs inclusive support.”
In the same vein, the Executive Director of Jewels of Africa Foundations (Africa Chapter) Deji Haastrup, explained that the book donation project was inspired by President and Founder of JOA, Mrs. Lara Gureje Oderinde, who realised the need to support government and public schools in rural areas to improve their academic performance.
Haastrup added, “The aim is to reach out and begin to engage African youths through education by equipping them with skills, opportunities, tools, resources and abilities that would help transform their lives and make them what they should be. We work to position the youths to be future leaders and agents of change in a rapidly changing world, and help them stay relevant in the 21st century.”
