Julius Berger upgrades infrastructure in public schools

By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA—Determined to deliver its corporate social responsibility to the  society, the construction giant, Julius Berger Plc, has embarked on upgrading of  infrastructural facilities in government primary schools across the country.

The company commenced the gesture with the distribution of writing materials and school bags to pupils in two public schools, the Local Education Authority, LEA, primary school Mabuchi, Abuja and LEA Chika, Airport road, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The management of the firm represented by its Media spokesperson, Clement Iloba said, although this has never been the first time the company has been carrying our the crucial assignment for the Nigerian schools to show the love, concern and care of the company to the Nigerian children but that it has never involved the media.

The company he said has decided to involve the media to let Nigerians know that it is using it as a medium to carry out a survey of schools in line with their needs aside writing materials.

He said “our team is here today as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, initiative to help selected schools in FCT.

This programme reflects our concern for education, especially for the underprivileged. It is our effort to give back to our communities, especially in areas where JBN works. As you may be aware, our company is a highly mobile company. This is part of an on-going effort to help out in our schools, especially in the areas where intervention and impact will be felt most,” he said.

According to him, the company is not oblivious of the fact that many Nigerian government schools study in dilapidated buildings devoid of comfortable studying materials such as furniture, libraries, laboratory among others.

He, however, assured, the company will be addressing some of these issues in line with their needs and in accordance to the capacity of the company.  He said Nigerian children all over the country are so dear to the heart of the company and will be willing to do anything possible to make them realize that they are the leader of the nation tomorrow.

“We are here to show you our love. Julius Beggar Plc is the major and the giant construction company in Nigeria.

It is a friend of Nigerians and Nigerian children. We want to tell you to study your books, take your education very seriously so that you can become one of the great men in Nigeria today, like the President, Goodluck Jonathan, Patience Jonathan, the minister of Information and communications, Dora Akunyili, and many other great Nigerian people.

We love you and we shall also do same to your friends, brothers and sisters in other schools,” he charged.

Responding, the children from both schools, in chorus said, “Thank you very much and may God bless you, Amen.”

The headmistress of the LEA Mabuchi, Ngozi Obasi, appreciating the kind gesture of the company, thanked the company and prayed for progress of the company. Ngozi however did not forget to inform the companies of the many challenges faced by the schools as almost all of the children are indigent children who sometimes come to school shabbily but to be clothed by some of their class teachers with the meager salary.

She however appealed to the company to consider packaging of welfare such as school uniforms, and other infrastructure like seats, and buildings. As most of the government schools are in dear need of all the essential facilities to motivate the studying habit of the children.

Also appreciating the company is the headmistress of the LEA Chika in Airport road, Abuja, Franka Kaslong, who said if only other firms in Nigeria can emulate the initiative of the Julius Berger Plc, and then there will be a tremendous improvement and development of the Nigerian government schools that have been abandoned without care.

According to her, the state of her school has been a challenge as she had earlier been told while assuming office that there was nothing she could do about the poor state of the schools. But, “I assured those saying this that with God all things are possible. There is no where else  these little angels can start their education to learn about becoming the President of this nation, accountants, doctors, name it.