By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reiterated the administration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to investing in quality education for all Nigerian children, saying it is a top priority.
Accordingly, he called for more private sector partnerships to invest in the nation’s education system and intellectual capital, which, according to him, is crucial to the success of providing quality education for Nigerian children.
Shettima stated this yesterday during MTN Nigeria Communications Plc’s presentation of digital learning devices to students of Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Abuja.
He declared, “I want you all to remain assured that investing in quality education for every single Nigerian child remains a top priority for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. We recognise that the private sector’s partnership is crucial to the success of this important mission.
“This is why we deeply appreciate MTN for raising the occasion through this donation to our students. We trust that MTN, as well as other members of the Nigerian private sector, will continue to support this administration in building a future where every Nigerian child has access to quality education and the tools to thrive in a digital world.”
Shettima observed that while education has often been said to be the key to unlocking the future, digital literacy is the master key in today’s world.
“The classroom is no longer just a physical space; it is now an infinite world of knowledge, only a click away. The most transformative lessons of our time are not confined to four walls but are happening in the boundless universe of the internet.
“This event, therefore, is more than a ceremony; it is yet another opportunity to offer our children a window into the world—a classroom beyond their classroom,” the VP pointed out.
Noting that the tablets distributed to the students are part of the 4,600 devices donated by MTN Nigeria Communications PLC to secondary school students across the nation’s six geopolitical zones, VP Shettima said the “remarkable gesture is not just an act of corporate social responsibility” but also an investment “in the intellectual capital of our nation and a testament to MTN’s unwavering commitment to the progress of Nigeria.”
He expressed President Tinubu’s gratitude to MTN Nigeria’s leadership, particularly the Chairman of its Board of Directors, Dr Ernest Ndukwe, for what he described as an “incredible act of generosity.”
“We thank you for supporting this administration’s efforts by investing in our students’ digital literacy. These devices will ensure that our children are as equipped as their counterparts worldwide to function effectively in a technology-driven 21st century,” he added.
While commending the leadership, Principal, and teachers of Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, for the onerous task of shaping the minds of the nation’s future leaders, the VP described them as the custodians of knowledge, noting that their role in preparing the students “for a competitive world cannot be overstated.
“With the partnership of organisations such as MTN, we will continue to do our best to ensure that you are better equipped to carry out this noble duty,” he stated.
The Vice President told the students that what they have been given is a powerful tool to aid their studies and expand their horizons.
He urged them to use the tablets to broaden their knowledge, “sharpen your skills, and prepare yourselves for the limitless possibilities ahead.”
Earlier, the Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr Ndukwe, said the event marked a significant milestone in the telecom giant’s unwavering commitment to advancing digital learning and literacy across Nigeria and making digital inclusion a reality for every Nigerian student.
He said the tablets- each pre-installed with U-Lesson software- represent MTN Nigeria’s commitment to empowering the next generation with the essential tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
For his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, said the initiative’s flag-off consolidates the partnership between the Federal Government and the private sector in enhancing educational advancement in Nigeria and realises an initiative envisioned by the Vice President.
He disclosed that the initiative to be replicated in schools across the country would significantly impact science education and digital literacy in Nigeria. He assured that there is more to be benefited from the partnership between the government and MTN, which will be unveiled soon.
Also, the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Mukhtar Shagaya, said the initiative is a testament to the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in advancing the cause of education in Nigeria and beyond.
He said improved synergy among stakeholders can address the numerous challenges in the education sector, and he pledged the support of the National Assembly in implementing the necessary legislation that will significantly impact the sector.
For his part, the principal of the school, Mallam Isa Okuru, thanked the Vice President for his leadership and commitment to the cause of Nigeria’s development.
He noted that beyond just distributing digital devices, the gesture is an investment in the students’ future and the prospect of advancing science education, technology, and innovation in Nigeria.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of the pre-installed learning devices to students and the school’s management.
The event was graced by top government officials and MTN Nigeria’s management, among other partners in the nation’s education sector.
