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The MTN Foundation Science & Technology Laboratory Project, on Tuesday, commissioned seven laboratories at Government Day Science Secondary School Gombe, aimed at boosting technological advancement among schoolchildren.
PUNCH Online reports that the laboratories include two Chemistry rooms, two Biology rooms, two Physics rooms, and one Agricultural Science room.
Lauding the initiative, GDSSS Principal Abdulhakim Mudansir commended MTN for prioritising the education of Gombe students, adding that the laboratory would act as a catalyst for development.
He said, “This laboratory will serve as the much-needed catalyst for development. We want to thank MTN for investing in the future of young minds.”
Also, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, who was represented by the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Abdullahi Bappa, applauded the foundation for the laboratories, noting that they would provide a significant boost to his administration’s efforts to improve the quality of education.
Yahaya added, “We thank MTN Nigeria for choosing Government Day Science Secondary School. This is one of our best schools, and we believe that this partnership will help to promote science development in the state, in line with our administration’s commitment to revamping education.”
Speaking further, the governor assured the foundation that the state would protect the donated items from vandals: “We will safeguard the laboratories to ensure that the equipment remains intact,” Yahaya added.
Additionally, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Aishatu Maigari, stated that the donation would significantly contribute to transforming the future of education in the state.
Maigari disclosed that the state is open to further partnerships, saying, “MTN has shown the meaning of ‘doing creates the future’; we are open to more of such partnerships. This laboratory will go a long way in shaping the minds of future doctors, pharmacists, engineers, and others.”
On his part, MTN’s Senior Manager, Hamza Ibrahim, explained that the MTNF Science & Technology Laboratory Project focuses on renovating and equipping science laboratories, providing training for teachers and laboratory attendants, and ultimately enhancing the teaching and learning experience in key science subjects.
According to him, the MTNF Science & Technology Laboratory Project, now in its third phase, aims to enhance science education in public secondary schools in Nigeria.
He said, “In the current phase, Phase Three, six schools with 28 laboratories were renovated across six states in the country between 2023 and 2024.
“In the previous phases (Phases One and Two), the laboratories for the three science subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Biology—were remodelled and renovated.
“For this current phase, Phase Three, the Agricultural Science laboratory is also included. The Foundation is renovating the Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Agricultural Science laboratories of six public secondary schools across six states in the country.”
Speaking on the choice of GDSSS Gombe as one of the six recipient schools where the renovation and upgrade of its science laboratories have been successfully completed, Ibrahim added, “It may interest you to know that MTNF has invested over N2 billion in renovating 102 science laboratories in 32 secondary schools across 15 states over the last three years, in furtherance of MTN Nigeria’s commitment to empowering youth and promoting academic excellence in public secondary schools across the country. Through this, we encourage students to envision the future they desire and provide them with the opportunity to actualise their dreams.”
