The MTN Foundation Science & Technology Laboratory project on Tuesday commissioned seven laboratories at Government Day Science Secondary School Gombe to boost technological advancement among schoolchildren.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the laboratories include two Chemistry rooms, two Biology rooms, two Physics rooms and one Agricultural Science room.
Lauding the initiative, GDSSS Principal Abdulhakim Mudansir, commended MTN for prioritising the education of Gombe students, adding that the laboratory will serve as catalyst for development.
He said, “This laboratories will serve as the needed catalyst for development. We want to thank MTN for investmenting in the future for the young minds.”
Also, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahay, who was represented by Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation
Dr Abdullahi Bappa, while applauding the foundation for the laboratories noted that would further give the required boost in his administration’s attempt at improving quality of education.
Yahaya continued saying “We thank MTN Nigeria for choosing Government Day Science Secondary School; this is one of our best schools and we know that this partnership will help to promote science development in the state in line with our administration’s commitment to revamping education.”
Speaking further the governor assured the foundation that the state will protect the items donated against vandals, “We will protect the laboratories to ensure that the equipment are intact,” Yahaya added.
Also, Commissioner for Education Dr Aishatu Maigari, said the donation would go along way in revamping the future of education in the state.
Maigari disclosed that the state is open to further partnerships, saying “MTN has explained the meaning of doing creates the future; we are open to more of this partnerships. This laboratories will go a long way in shaping the minds of future doctors, pharmacists, engineers and others.”
On his part, MTN’s Senior Manager; Hamza Ibrahim, explained that MTNF STLP focuses on renovating and equipping science laboratories, providing training for teachers and laboratory attendants and ultimately enhancing the teaching and learning experience in key science subjects.
According to him, the MTNF Science & Technology Laboratory project in its third phase is aimed at enhancing science education in public secondary schools in Nigeria.
He said, “In the current phase, phase three: six schools with 28 laboratories were renovated across six six states in the country between 2023 – 2024.
“In the previous phases (phases one and two), the laboratories of the following three science subjects – physics, chemistry, and biology, were remodelled and renovated.
“For this current phase, phase three, the Agric laboratory is inclusive. In the third phase, the Foundation is renovating the chemistry, biology, physics and agricultural laboratories of six public secondary schools in six states across the country.”
Speaking on its choice of GDSSS Gombe as one of the six recipient schools where renovation and upgrade of its science laboratories have been successfully undertaken, Ibrahim added “It may interest you to know that the MTNF has invested over N2 billion in renovating 102 science laboratories in 32 secondary schools across 15 states across the country in the last three years in furtherance of MTN Nigeria’s commitment to empowering youth and promoting academic excellence in public secondary schools across the country. Through this, we encourage students to envision the future they desire and provide them with the opportunity to actualise their dreams.”
