As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN) Unlimited, an ExxonMobil affiliate and joint venture operator of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/MPN Joint Venture has funded the upgrade of Chemistry laboratory of Rimi College in Kaduna.
Mobil Producing worked in partnership with a non-governmental organization, Community Health Empowerment Foundation (CHEF), to reconstruct the laboratory and improve the environment for the study of Chemistry subject to the provision of a well-furnished workroom.
The project, which cost about N6 million, covers the refurbishment of the dilapidated laboratory and installation of essential cutting-edge equipment such as island benches, distillers, voltmeters, PH meters, hydraulic stools, and varieties of chemicals.
In his remarks at the handing over ceremony of the facilities to Rimi College authorities in Kaduna, Mr Nigel Cookey-Gam, Government & Business Relations Manager of Mobil Producing Nigeria, said the gesture is part of the corporate social responsibility of Mobil.
“The procurement, installation and upgrading of facilities in Chemistry laboratory of Rimi College, Kaduna is an initiative that is part of Mobil Producing Nigeria’s corporate citizenship outreach and it also exemplifies the NNPC/MPN joint venture and social investment in Nigeria, especially in the area of education.
“The project followed a need identification/assessment research carried out by Community Health Empowerment Foundation (CHEF) which was subsequently complemented by a series of advocacy sessions with the school authorities and other relevant stakeholders. Our expectation is that this investment will enhance the quality of teaching and lead to improvement in external examinations on the subject of Chemistry in Rimi College,” he said.
Cookey-Gam also noted that ExxonMobil affiliates in Nigeria commit more than $10 million annually on sustainable, long-term development initiatives in the country, adding that through partnerships with local and international non-governmental organizations, the affiliates invest in citizenship initiatives that positively affect the lives of thousands of Nigerians.
The Executive Director of CHEF, Dr. Ernest Nwokolo, said he hopes that the project will not only bolster the performance of chemistry students in Rimi College and other surrounding schools that make use of the laboratory, but also stimulate other corporate and private organizations towards supporting the efforts of governments in improving the educational system.
In his speech, the Principal of Rimi College, Alhaji Sani Zailani expressed gratitude to Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited for recognizing the abundant talents the college is producing and in its quest to fill the yearnings gap in breeding great scientists in the country.
“The chemistry equipment donated to Rimi College Kaduna by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited are not only the latest, but the best you can find anywhere in the world. Indeed everything supplied and installed by Mobil are superb and excellent. Science education encompasses subjects like biology, physics which if put together with chemistry will further make the students well grounded for the challenges ahead in the physical, chemical and applied sciences. The school community shall ever be grateful for this kind gesture and we are looking forward for other old boys or interested groups and individuals emulating the precedence set by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited,” he said.
Alhaji Zailani commended Kaduna State Government for its efforts in the development of education through well-thought-out programmes and policies which include free education for primary and secondary schools, provision of text books, uniforms and seats, renovation of blocks of classrooms, and recruitment of science teachers.
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