‎Zenith General Insurance Limited has donated school bags, exercise books and mathematical sets to students in six schools across Lagos State as part of efforts to promote inclusive education and ease the financial burden on parents at the beginning of a new academic session.
‎
The intervention, implemented under the insurer’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, also featured an engagement with students on the importance of preparation, perseverance and purposeful living in achieving academic and personal success.
‎
Speaking during the presentation at Alimosho Junior Grammar School, Lagos, the company’s General Manager, Dolapo Olatayo Talabi, urged students to develop the discipline and determination required to achieve their ambitions, regardless of their backgrounds or the locations of their schools.
‎
Addressing the students on the theme, Prepared for Success, Talabi identified purpose, preparation and persistence as essential ingredients for success, noting that students’ everyday academic activities formed the foundation for future opportunities.
‎
“Success is not an accident. Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” she said.
‎She encouraged the students not to allow their age or the circumstances of their schools to limit their aspirations, stressing that their willingness to learn, prepare and persevere would help determine their future achievements.
‎
Talabi described the students as potential change-makers of the present generation and urged them to take their studies seriously while developing the skills and values needed to contribute meaningfully to society.
‎
Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the Head of Corporate Communications at Zenith General Insurance, Hashim Okunbor, said the company considered investment in education essential to sustainable community development.
‎
He said the back-to-school programme was designed to provide practical assistance to families facing increased financial commitments at the start of a new academic session.
‎
“As a company, we believe strongly that children are the future. The Back-to-School Initiative allows us to maximise long-term social impact and build multigenerational brand loyalty. But more importantly, we know that the new school session comes with some financial pressure on parents, hence our decision to help in our own little way,” Okunbor said.
‎
According to him, the beneficiary schools were selected in consultation with the relevant local government school district to ensure that the intervention reached students across different communities.
‎
He expressed the hope that the donated materials would improve students’ participation in classroom activities and encourage them to pursue their educational ambitions.
‎
Okunbor added that the initiative was part of the insurer’s broader commitment to education and community development, recalling that the company supported a school library project in 2024.
‎
He said the company conducts annual assessments to identify areas where its resources and expertise could deliver meaningful social impact.
‎
The initiative, he added, also demonstrated how insurance companies could contribute beyond their core business by supporting vulnerable communities, addressing practical needs and helping to improve livelihoods.
‎
Responding on behalf of the beneficiary schools, the Principal of Alimosho Junior Grammar School, Ige Adekunle Mary, commended the insurer for the intervention, describing it as timely, particularly given the financial challenges confronting many parents.
‎
She said some families struggled to provide basic necessities, including food, making it difficult to afford additional expenses such as school bags, exercise books and other learning materials.
‎
According to her, the donation would provide relief for parents while helping to reduce disparities among students from different economic backgrounds.
‎
Mary noted that access to appropriate learning materials was important for effective classroom participation, consistent learning and better understanding of school subjects.
‎
She urged more private-sector organisations to support public schools, describing them as important platforms for grassroots development and national transformation.
‎
“I wish to appreciate Zenith General Insurance and other private organisations and encourage them to see public schools as a rich field for grassroots nation-building,” she said.
‎
The principal also called for increased investment in educational infrastructure and extracurricular activities to improve learning conditions and support students’ overall development.
‎
The intervention highlights the role of private-sector participation in complementing government efforts to improve access to quality education, particularly in public schools where financial constraints can limit students’ access to basic learning resources.
‎
For Zenith General Insurance, the programme combines material support with a broader message that preparing young people for success requires access to educational resources, encouragement and the determination to make the most of available opportunities