Western Union Foundation, bank donate library to Lagos school

The Western Union Foundation has donated a furnished library to the Ransome Kuti Memorial Senior Grammar School, Mushin, Lagos State.

The foundation and Ecobank Nigeria Limited, jointly financed the initiative, which is part of the “Read to Succeed” programme.

The $20, 000 grant, donated early this year, was used to provide the library with tables, chairs, books, book shelves, ceiling fans, air conditioners, computers, printers among others. The project was managed by the Joseph and Eunice Oladaiye Foundation.

The new library will benefit more than 1, 000 students at the school, and the Western Union Foundation will grant an additional $5, 000 to three qualified, underprivileged university students to finance their scholarships.

According to Regional Vice President of Western Union for Africa, Aida Diarra, “We are proud of the work of the Western Union Foundation and its continuous offer to support programmes and services that promote equity and education for all children.

“These efforts bring to Nigeria’s youth the opportunity for success, access to quality education and a path to a brighter future. Through the “Read to Succeed” project, we encourage students to read by creating a suitable reading and learning environment.”

Over the last 20 years, this foundation has worked with Western Union agents including Diamond Bank, Guaranty Trusty Bank (GTB), UBA, Ecobank Nigeria, Skye Bank, First Bank of Nigeria and Access Bank, to refurbish and equip public school libraries, through a grant of more than $280,000 to the “Read to Succeed” library project in Lagos State.

Separately, the foundation has also awarded $30, 000 in scholarships to underprivileged university students between 2012 and 2014. These actions align with the values upheld by Western Union and the Western Union Foundation and offer a unique opportunity to apply their commitment to education in Africa.

Between 2013 and 2015, the foundation also donated over $600, 000 to UNICEF to support teacher training programmes in the country. This initiative impacted more than 300 female primary school teachers, continuing Western Union’s mission of placing the socio-economic and educational needs of its consumers first.