The MTN Foundation, on Wednesday, donated science laboratories worth N60 million to Aquinas College, Akure, Ondo State.
The Chairman of the foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, who inaugurated the laboratories, said that the gesture was to strengthen the scientific knowledge of students in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
While noting that the college was one of the four schools selected by the foundation across the federation, Adelusi-Adeluyi said that the equipment would positively influence the students to do more on research and experiments.
He said that each of the four schools received full renovation of their chemistry, physics and biology laboratories, including the installation of laboratory furniture, solar-powered borehole and alternative power solution.
Adelusi-Adeluyi listed other benefits which the schools would enjoy to include: supply of laboratory equipment and consumables as well as training of laboratory staffers.
He also said that the foundation had donated sets of furniture to the school sometime ago.
The MTN foundation chairman called on the students and teachers of the college to maintain the equipment so that they could be better used by generations to come.
Adelusi-Adeluyi, an old student of the college, said that the MTN foundation had made a good choice to support the government in the area of education in the interest of the young ones.
According to him, there are ‘Cs’ of life, that is, chances, choices and consequences, which must be experienced in life.
“Anybody who wants Nigeria to grow must look at the chance he left and make correct choices so that the consequences of his or her choice will be better.
“Aquinas College was founded and known for its integrity and you must remember that integrity must follow you in whatever you say, see or do.
“Our elders must aspire to inspire the young people because life is not about money but to help people. That is what MTN Foundation is doing today,” he said.
Principal of the college, Mr Adebisi Jibola, appreciated MTN Foundation for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in helping students in their science subjects.
According to him, the equipment will help the students to be engaged and know the rudiments of science practical.
Jibola promised to maintain the laboratories, warning that any students caught damaging the equipment would be sanctioned.
“Everything we do in life, apart from the creation by God, is technology, and technology is an application of science.
“As science students, we will have to take them from the grassroots and catch them young.
“It is not only the present set of students that is going to use these facilities. They will be used by many other sets of students. We will not forget MTN and its contributions to the school’s development,” he said.
Head of Science Department in the school, Mrs Olabisi Jegede, said that the equipment would make teaching and learning more efficient and effective.
Jegede, who said that the laboratories were essential for students and teachers, said that they would help the students to carry out experiments, even when teachers were not present.
“We are very grateful because we didn’t have majority of the equipment before now.
“With these ones now, the teachers and students will have enough time to learn better in their various laboratories without disturbing one another,” she said.
