The Chief Executive Officer & Joint Managing Director of Airtel (International), Manoj Kohli has restated the company’s commitment to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals of universal primary education across its African operations by working with various Governments to make direct and sustainable contribution to the African society.

Kohli who was speaking at the weekend during a visit to the project site of the company’s pilot Adopt-a-School programme in Oremeji Primary School 2, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area in Ajegunle, Lagos said Airtel is committed to making significant contribution to provide education to the weaker sections of the African society, so as to make them employable.

He said the company will throw its full weight behind uplifting the standard of education as well as collaborate with Local Governments across Africa in transforming lives of African children, adding that “we need to ensure that our children and young people have access to quality education. “

While assessing the project site, he expressed satisfaction at the completion of the multi-million naira primary school project, saying that Airtel will keep exploring opportunities to uplift the standard of education in Nigeria as well as partner with the Nigerian government in the delivery of quality primary education through the Adopt-a-School programme.

He noted that the speedy completion of the project underscores the company’s commitment to providing the much-needed support for the improvement of the educational sector in the country as well as empowering children from poor homes with quality and best-in-class education.

“Airtel believes that education offers children especially those from poor homes the best opportunity in life to realize their dreams and become the leaders of tomorrow. We are indeed extremely excited to partner with the Nigerian government in developing and nurturing the future leaders of this great nation,” said Kohli.

Kohli who was accompanied by Rajan Swaroop, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria and Deepak Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director of Airtel Nigeria also disclosed that at the end of the pilot programme, Airtel would commence the process of adopting select primary schools across the federation as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme to assist the Nigerian government in transforming the lives of children from less privileged homes.

Under the Adopt-a-School project, Airtel will build and refurbish schools and provide school uniforms, furniture, books, school bags for the children and specialized training as well as other incentive schemes for the teachers.

The school will be formally commissioned and handed over to the Lagos State Government shortly.
Airtel’s Africa chief visits adopted school in Ajegunle