By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Junior Chambers International (JCI), Abeokuta Hill has donated solar light to Baptist Girls’ College, Idi Aba, Library and hostel, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

The donation, aimed to bring back the reading culture among secondary school students in the State, was in collaboration with a non governmental organization, Baobab+.

Speaking at the project tagged, “Unleash A Child’s Potential Project”, the CEO of Baobab+, Mr. Kolawole Osinowo, said the provision of the solar energy to the school was to enhance reading habits and was part of Baobab+ Corporate Social Responsibility.

He posited that providing energy to light an environment, especially in school is like giving light to life, which is pertinent to unleashing a child’s potential.

Osinowo maintained that the mission of the company is to provide easy access to energy in schools and communities which is in line with Goals 4 and 7 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to him, “when you light up an environment, you light up life, in Baobab+ our mission is to provide energy in communities and provide energy access in schools.

“We are also challenged by the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal 4, which is the essence of providing quality education, and goal 7 which is providing clean and sustainable energy, so when you bring goal 4 and 7 together, there is so much potential you can unleash especially in the education sector. We can’t do this alone, that is why we partnered with JCI Abeokuta Hills because this is what they do, they develop young people”.

While appealing to government to energize school environment, Osinowo opined that “energizing education would unleash the potential of our young people.

In her welcome address, the President of JCI Abeokuta Hills, JCIN Amb. Eniola Adesanya expressed optimism that the project would have good impact on the school and its students, adding that when you educate a child the leadership of tomorrow would be in safe hands.

She posited that unleashing potentials in children would enhance the kind of leaders that are expected tomorrow.

The Principal of Baptist Girl’s College, Mrs. Stella Iwedi appreciated the gesture.

She noted that a lot of danger were associated with darkness and that the students complained about reptiles, in the hostel at night.

“Now that we have enough light, I think they are safer now because they will be able to see whatever is coming at any time, they can also read at night as well”.

She appreciated the kind gesture of Baobab+ for coming to rescue the school with critical needs while calling for other organizations to emulate the gesture.

Corroborating the Alumni President of Baptist Girl’s College Mrs. Funmi Baker expressed satisfaction with the project, adding that it would go a long way in helping the students to read more in the night.