By Chiazo Ogbolu and Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Lagos State Government (LASG) has commended Ports and Terminal Multiservices Ltd (PTML) as it handed over a block of classrooms and furniture at the Amuwo Odofin Junior High school to the state.
The organisation also handed over a 50KV generator, computers, chairs, tables within the Mile 2 School Complex to the state government.
The Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, who received the property, appreciated the PTML management for its gesture, said that education was about collaborative thoughts, efforts in the state’s new dawn.
“Education wise, Lagos State is not living in the past but the future and that is what we are witnessing today, the transformation of our school to a modern school which is the Lagos State standard.
“We appreciate your compliments and good gesture. Our theme in Lagos State is education and technology, and it is about scaling up our education to global standard where we use digital learning to make learning easier for our children and teachers.
“We are here today to not only commission but to also acknowledge and take over this school for the necessary maintenance in terms of providing quality teachers and ensuring proper utilisation of items for the purpose of schooling and teaching,” All-Balogun said.
He tasked the school principal on maintenance culture, saying that they had been given a new structure and must ensure that they maintained what had been put there and use it judiciously for the students.
The commissioner also charged the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) on good parenting, stating that such should not be pushed to government alone as the school system operated only six hours out of 24 hours in a day.
“The issue of drugs and cultism is from the community and not the school, even bullying stems from parents. Whatever the students get from parents they replicate in school, so good parenting is utmost.
“For the school, the one-hour extended for reading and extracurricular activities which is converted to lessons, where teachers take money from students should end immediately.
“We can nurture our children through clubs, debating society, scouts, brownies, all of them are there, the climate change club, let them learn new things, do your job at the right time,” he said.
Mr Ascanio Russo, Managing Director, PTML, said at the handing-over ceremony that continued collaboration among stakeholders could transform challenges into stepping stones for the growth and development of future generations.
Russo said that the power of partnership and commitment led to the several impactful projects undertaken by PTML at the Mile 2 school complex being actualised.
According to Russo, the proximity of the school to the terminal not only reinforced its commitment but also its capability to contribute significantly and sustainably to its neighborhood.
“As an integral part of the esteemed Grimaldi Group, PTML is deeply committed to social responsibility, with a particular focus on education and environmental stewardship.
“These commitments are pivotal to our corporate ethos and are evident in the extensive investments we have made here at Mile 2.
“The substantial improvements we have achieved in terms of infrastructure, accessibility, and security underscore our dedication to creating a positive impact on both the community and the environment,” he said.
He said that its commitment extended beyond physical infrastructure to the nurturing of young minds, recognising the crucial need for modern educational tools.
The PTML boss noted that its aim was to equip future leaders with tools necessary for success in a rapidly advancing world, thereby, fostering an educated workforce that was environmentally conscious and well-prepared to face global challenges.
Also, Mr Valentine Buraimoh, the Chairman, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, described the project as huge and promised to work with the school authority to ensure that necessary measures are put in place to maintain the facilities.
A Senior Secondary School Student, Azizate Shittu, while appreciating the PTML for more opportunity to learn, urged the government to look into the activities of miscreants and hoodlums around the school premises.
The PTML is the largest multipurpose RoRo terminal in West Africa, providing a unique combination of RoRo containerised and cargo project services at the same time.