A nursery school in Yelwa community
News Article from: http://allafrica.com/stories/200904220073.html
21 April 2009
Lagos — Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigerian Montane Forest Project, established a nursery school in Yelwa community, Sardauna Local Government Area, Taraba State. Uchechukwu Nnaike, who witnessed the hand-over ceremony, reports.
 The new school buildings. |
For the people of Yelwa village, Friday, April 17 would remain a memorable day, as they all waited eagerly for the formal hand-over of the first nursery school in the community to the state government. The children were not left out, as they, despite the scorching sun, all assembled in an orderly manner to witness the occasion.
The N5 million school project, which was funded by Mobil was built to provide education to 300 children in Yelwa community, and to prepare them for primary education.
Before the school was established, children who are too young to get into the only primary school in the community, used to accompany their parents to the farm. However,these children will now spend their time learning.
The school, which was at the instance of the Director of the Nigerian Montane Forest Project, Dr. Hazel Chapman consists of a block of four classrooms and another block of three offices, which are furnished and with running water from a borehole.
According to Hazel, the ruler of Yelwa community, Alhaji Ahmadu and a colleague, late Jauro Petel spoke to her about the need for a nursery school four years ago. She said the opportunity of getting sponsorship came when Mr. Robert Warren of Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), visited the forest. "Robert subsequently worked very hard with Susan Eshett to make this dream come true."
The school, she said was under the jurisdiction of the Montane Forest Project, but that it was managed and equipped by the State Education Board. "Between the Board and the Project, we have developed a vision whereby, before too long, the school will be totally administered by the state. We have plans to develop and grow the school."
She said Yelwa had the school only because it had the forest. "Without the forest, Robert Warren would never have visited Mambilla and there would be no Montane Forest Project. Yelwa is known internationally all because of Ngel Nyaki Forest."
According to her, the forest would play a major part in the future of the community through employment in research associated jobs and ecotourism and urged them to treat the forest with respect.
 Dr Hazel Chapman with Mobil, Manager, Security Operations, Mr Naphtali Jalani |
A representative of Mobil, Manager, Security Operations, Mr. Naphtali Jalani, said the project was built on the company's long standing support for education to which it makes strategic contribution in communities and countries where it has significant presence.
The company, he said had worked with non governmental organisations in the past and was proud to be associated with the Montane Forest Project, which showed due diligence to the funds provided to it for the school project.
"We are particularly pleased to identify with the Taraba State government, the Montane Forest Project, and Yelwa community in their quest to provide a conducive learning environment for the children of the community. We congratulate all stakeholders for the completion of the school and urge the community to make good use of this unique opportunity."
Governor of Taraba state, Danbaba Suntai commended the company for embarking on education-based project. "Education should be a priority because it provides people with the most important tool to succeed in life."
 Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Bubajoda Mafindi |
Suntai, represented by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Bubajoda Mafindi, said the project was God-sent since it was a way of reaching out to the less privilege in the society.
Mafindi said SUBEB was worried that 5,000 children were still out of school in the state. "The situation is alarming and unacceptable and the implication is that the state may not attain the Education for All (EFA) goal by 2015."
He commended the partnership with companies like Esso and the Montane Project and other NGOs and international organisations that share the state's effort towards attaining the EFA goal.
He promised to maintain the school and to post qualified teachers there and pleaded with stakeholders in the community to make land available and to ensure that there was no encroachment on the school land.
He commended the Montane Project for its commitment not only to the education of the children but also for the development of Yelwa community.