Rex Forestry Limited has officially handed over a fully renovated classroom and administrative block at Comprehensive Secondary School, Leege–Imorun, reaffirming its commitment to education, rural development, and strong partnerships with host communities.

The project, delivered under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, restores a critical public secondary school that serves over 120 students drawn from more than 15 surrounding rural communities, including Leege, Modebiayo, Mokore, Lisagbede, Imorun, Bakare, Bature, Ilutitun, Masole, Boloronduro, Aiyetinbo, Kangidi, Gmelina Camp, Makinde, Karaole, and Ogulenpa. The school remains the only secondary education facility within a wide rural catchment, providing access to formal education and national examinations in these locations.

Restoring More Than Infrastructure – Restoring Opportunity

The school suffered extensive damage following a violent windstorm in 2025, which led to damages in the classrooms, offices, the library, and the science laboratory, severely disrupting learning activities. Responding to this urgency and recognising the broader social implications, Rex Forestry undertook a comprehensive rehabilitation of the facility.

The restoration works included the reconstruction and re-roofing of damaged classrooms and offices, refurbishment of the library and science laboratory, provision of desks and essential learning infrastructure, as well as painting and finishing to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.

Today, the school stands renewed reviving not just physical infrastructure, but continuity and opportunity for students and teachers alike. A student at the school expressed the impact simply by saying, “Before, when it rained, we had to stop classes. Now we can learn without fear.”

Built on Partnership and Community Participation

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Managing Director of Rex Forestry, Mr. Vincent Servais, described the project as part of a long-standing relationship with the school and its host communities.

“This is a relationship built over time. The school and communities have stood with us in our journey, and it was only right that we stand with them in their time of need,” he said.

The project was implemented using an inclusive, community-centred approach. Four local contractors were engaged, supported by local labour, ensuring that the investment generated direct economic benefits within the host communities. Traditional and religious leaders, including representatives of the Oloja of Imorun, were actively involved throughout the process, strengthening trust, ownership, and accountability.

Aligned with Government Development Priorities

Rex Forestry’s CSR interventions are aligned with Ondo State Government development priorities under its concession agreement signed in August 2021. The company focuses its support on government-owned schools within its operational areas, ensuring that private-sector investments complement public education systems and reach the most vulnerable communities.

The official handover ceremony was attended by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, who served as Guest of Honour, alongside the Commissioner for TESCOM and other government representatives. In his remarks, the Guest of Honour commended Rex Forestry for its wide range of CSR initiatives, including road development, solar lighting, borehole construction, and education support across host communities, urging the company to continue expanding its impact.

A Broader Commitment to Education and Community Development

The Imorun school project forms part of Rex Forestry’s structured CSR framework anchored on education support, community infrastructure, environmental awareness, youth empowerment, and skills development. Across its areas of operation, the company continues to deliver communityinformed, impactdriven initiatives aligned with international Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.

As students return to safer classrooms and teachers resume lessons in improved facilities, the impact of this intervention will extend beyond infrastructure, strengthening communities, shaping futures, and reinforcing the role of responsible private sector partnership in national development.

About Rex Forestry Limited

Rex Forestry Limited is a sustainable forestry company operating in Nigeria, committed to responsible forest management, environmental stewardship, and inclusive community development. Through its CSR programmes, the company creates shared value for its business and the communities in which it operates.