Foundation partners chemical firm to promote ICT in public schools

To support Information and Communications Technology (ICT) education in the country, Oando Foundation (OF), an independent charity and Sumitomo Chemical, a Japanese Chemical Company, have established three solar powered ICT centres in select public primary schools across the country.

The partnership according to the partners will impact over 2,400 beneficiaries; bridge the existing gaps in the delivery of ICT education in public schools; as well as empower pupils in Oando adopted schools with technology skills..

Head, Oando Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke, remarked, “ICT is an essential skill for the Nigerian youth. Pupils need to be able to use the latest technology to gain an effective education and stand alongside their peers globally in the twenty-first century.

“Together with Sumitomo Chemical and other well-meaning organisations like the Educate-A-Child Qatar, we are creating an enabling environment to provide pupils from marginalised backgrounds invaluable 21st century technology skills. The Foundation supports the Nigerian Government in achieving Universal Primary Education through its Adopt-A-School Initiative (AASI), aimed at a holistic improvement of public primary schools. While most children in rural areas do not have access to a computer, three out of every five children in the urban areas lack basic ICT skills,” she expressed.

General Manager, CSR Department, Sumitomo Chemical, Kanako Fukuda, said the company through its partnership with the foundation is excited to support the ICT programmes in public schools as the firm recognises the importance of ICT skills in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.