Coca-Cola Nigeria partners Ogun goverment to upgrade learning facilities

To support government in the provision of conducive learning facilities, Coca-Cola Nigeria in collaboration with the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has embarked on a construction and rehabilitation of First Baptist Primary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony of the project held at the school premises, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Mr. Bhupendra Suri, explained that the project designed to critically intervene in infrastructural development of public schools, is part of the Coca-Cola Foundation/UNDP New World Programme, in collaboration with Ogun State Government.

Suri represented by the Sustainability Manager, Coca-Cola West Africa Business Unit, Mr. Osita Abana, said the scope of the project would cover the construction of a block of five classrooms, six units of functional gender segregated toilet with water and sanitation facilities; construction of a functional playground; rehabilitation of two units of toilets; and rehabilitation of two units of classrooms.

He explained that the project when completed would provide improved water supply not only to the school but also to the entire Ijaye Oja-Ale Ilogbo Community. He also disclosed that the project, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation and implemented by the Youth Empowerment Foundation would be completed within six months.

He said, “Beyond this infrastructural development, the foundation will also facilitate a capacity building training for teachers in the school to deploy literacy enhancement programmes targeted at the upper primary section of the school.”

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Modupe Mujota, noted that the project would go a long way in improving the quality of education offered to the pupils while also impacting the community positively.

She lauded the company and the foundation for complementing government’s efforts in providing a conducive learning environment through the school rehabilitation project. She urged stakeholders, including the teachers, pupils, parents and the old students to take ownership of the facilities upon completion and ensure adequate security to prevent vandalisation and theft.

Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Olatunji Okewole, on his part, stated that the collaboration would help in bridging infrastructural gaps in Ogun schools.