The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has renovated two classroom blocks at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Tukuruwa village, Kwali Area Council, Federal Capital Territory.
Alongside the renovation, the association provided the school with 200 chairs, 800 exercise books, and 200 school bags to support teaching and learning.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Kwali, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, explained that the project formed part of the association’s deliberate efforts to improve rural communities and invest in the education of children.
The intervention, carried out under the PENGASSAN Foundation, was formally handed over on Tuesday in the presence of the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Danladi Chiya, and the Chief of Tukuruwa village, HRH Luka Nissan III.
Osifo described children as the leaders of tomorrow and expressed satisfaction at the impact the foundation had made since its creation two years ago.
“On behalf of our National Executive Council, we are delighted to hand over this project today. The PENGASSAN Foundation was unveiled only about 24 months ago, but within this short period we have carried out several interventions across the country,” he said.
He noted that the foundation had assisted patients in general hospitals with medical bills, extended support to rural communities in Benue and other states, and was now turning its attention to education in Kwali.
According to him, providing children with a conducive learning environment and basic resources represents one of the most meaningful investments the union can make in Nigeria’s future.
“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.
Osifo assured the community that the PENGASSAN Foundation would maintain its presence in Kwali by identifying additional areas where intervention was required.
Receiving the project on behalf of the community, Chief Nissan commended PENGASSAN for responding promptly to the school’s needs.
“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,” the traditional ruler said.
He appealed for the school to be fenced in order to address persistent security challenges, explaining that theft and vandalism had long troubled the community.
Kwali Area Council Chairman, Danladi Chiya, also expressed gratitude to the association for its intervention in the council’s education sector.
Chiya, who pledged to grade the road leading to the school by November to improve access, said the association’s gesture had strengthened the council’s resolve to prioritise rural education.
“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,” the chairman stated.
A pupil of the school, Patient Dogara, also voiced her appreciation, explaining that the donation of exercise books would ease the financial burden on her parents.
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