From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), through its foundation, has renovated two blocks of classrooms at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Tukuruwa village, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
As part of the intervention designed to create a better learning experience, the union also donated 200 chairs, 800 exercise books and 200 school bags to the pupils yesterday.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, said the project was part of the association’s deliberate effort to invest in children and impact rural communities.
“PENGASSAN Foundation was unveiled only about 24 months ago, but within this short period, we have carried out several interventions across the country.
“These children you see here today are future senators, presidents, governors and council chairmen. Training them in the right environment is a responsibility we take seriously,” he added.
He explained that the foundation had previously assisted indigent patients in hospitals with medical bills, supported communities in Benue and other states, and was now extending its focus to education in Kwali.
Receiving the project, the Chief of Tukuruwa, HRH Luka Nissan III, commended the association for the gesture, saying: “Our hearts are filled with joy because this project has brought hope to this agrarian community. The children now have chairs, books and bags, which will make learning easier.”
He appealed for the fencing of the school to address security challenges, adding that theft and vandalism had been recurring problems.
Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya, also lauded PENGASSAN for complementing government efforts in rural education, pledging to grade the road leading to the school before November.
“I am overwhelmed with joy to see that PENGASSAN has remembered Kwali. This intervention is timely and will go a long way in improving the lives of our children,” he said.
A pupil of the school, Miss Patient Dogara, also thanked the association, saying the donation of exercise books would relieve her parents of some financial burden.
The project is one of several humanitarian initiatives embarked upon by the PENGASSAN Foundation since its establishment in 2023.
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