Imo Community Jubilates As Madumere Commissions Ultra Modern Science Lab Built By NNPC, Total, Others
The ancient kingdom of Mbieri and its environs were lighted up with jubilation as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with Total Upstream Nigeria Limited with her partners commissioned a state-of-the-art Science Laboratory.
The event, which took place at the benefitting School, Community Secondary School only witnessed the presence of the former Deputy Governor of Imo State, a few notable personalities, representatives of Imo State government led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Uwando (Ph.D), Community leaders, traditional ruler amongst others.
Commending the NNPC, Total Upstream Limited and Partners for living up to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), he described the Science Laboratory as state-of-the-art that will change the tide in grooming future Scientist and technologists.
He observed that the world economy is driven by knowledge and that knowledge is derived from science and technology, which he said can only come through education and research.
“While we appreciate every course of study, today’s world is driven by knowledge and knowledge can only come through education and research. Science and Technology rule the world. There is no aspect of life that science and technology do not take the front seat,” he stated.
Going on a memory lane, he revealed that the host school, Community Secondary School Obazu-Mbieri, Mbaitoli local government area was the first privately owned secondary school in the ancient kingdom founded by Hon. Reverend Dr. Dialaeme Opara.
Meanwhile, Prince Madumere further requested for more presence of such projects from NNPC/Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and partners, promising to personally get involved to ensure that the facility is secured and protected from vandals.
“Like Oliver Twist, as we bask in the euphoria of this heartwarming gesture, we call on Total Upstream Nigeria Limited to do more. Mbaitoli as a whole is the largest local government in Nigeria and remains a strategic in Nigerian development planning.
We promise to put to optimal use of this facility to groom our children to becoming useful to Imo State and Nigeria at large.”
The representative of Imo State Government, Dr. Uwando commended the effort of NNPC/Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and partners, saying that it conforms to the policy of Hope Uzodimma led government, which places high premium on Education.
She promised the government’s readiness to do it call to ensure the maximum untilisation of the state-of-the-art facility.
In his remark via zoom, the Group Managing Director of NNPC who spoke through Mrs. Edith Lawson said that NNPC touch lives in many ways. She reassures NNPC’s consistency in being socially responsible to impact positively in the lives of the people.
Speaking for Mr. Mike Sangster, the Managing Director of Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, Engr Azu Auike relayed the effort of NNPC/Total Upstream Nigeria Limited with other partners, which are CNOOC, PRIME OIL & GAS, AND SAPETRO in the area of impacting positively to the environment through various interventions under its CRS.
Speaking on a three year programme under CSR, Azuike said that the NNPC/Total Upstream Nigeria Limited and partners delivered 33 projects in 2017, 24 projects in 2018 and 24 projects for 2019, which the facility in Community Secondary School, Obazu-Mbieri is among.
“The projects are to mitigate the gap in good education and to reduce mortality ration. The locations for the projects are chosen for maximum impacts. We are using return on experience to deliver subsequent projects for maximum impact,” he said.
The Project Manager, Engr. Nnaemeka Onuora reeling out the features in the Science laboratory structure, he said is to be utilized for capacity building.
He described the structure as one of the best with different laboratories for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. “The structure also made provision for Agricultural Science and Home Economics,” he stated.
“The structure is equipped for practical instructions, have a total of 48 desks that will cater for 248 students.
“We have LPG Cylinders to service the entire laboratories, two conveniences in each of the laboratories, Integrated Power Solution, creating room for public electricity, 20 kva power generator and 15kva solar power system with inverter and panels installed.
“Every laboratory is installed with smoke detectors, fire equipment systems, thunder prevention, muster points and water-bore-hole system,” he stated.
The high points of ceremony were the formal commissioning by Prince Eze Madumere, former Deputy Governor of Imo State, and handover of the keys to the community, which was received by Chief Onyewuchi Asinobi who handed it to the Principal of the school, Mrs Ogechi Nwachukwu.
Asinobi expressed happiness and thanked the donors on behalf of the community. He also promised to work with other notable personalities to safeguard the facilities.
