Nigeria’s engineering construction leader, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has continued to helpfully increase its developmental corporate social responsibility initiatives targeted at the socio-economic enhancement and visionary growth of its host communities.

In furtherance of its planned Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drive, and to meaningfully give effect to its determination to substantively contribute to the progressive development of scholarship and students enrolment in its operational communities, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on Wednesday donated a block of classrooms, 200 classroom desks to students and 21 set of teacher’s tables several schools at its Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road project communities.

Addressing pupils and staff of Child Friendly School, Jaji, Igabi Local Government Area in Kaduna State, the team leader of the Julius Berger Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road CSR events, Engr. Yusuf Ibrahim said the aim of the donation was to help the students improve and enjoy their learning aspirations and experience. He said, “At Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the students’ wellbeing remains our primary concern and providing the necessary educational materials for conducive learning continues to be our priority. Julius Berger’s school and learning materials donation initiatives are intentionally designed and implemented to helpfully enable the students to happily learn and joyfully put more efforts into their educational pursuits”.

Responding, the Assistant Principal of the School, Mrs. Rifkatu Wallah, appreciated the efforts made by the company saying, “Before now, our children always sat on the floor to learn, but Julius Berger has now changed that for the better for us. They have made a lasting donation in our school that cannot be erased and I want to sincerely appreciate the company for its magnanimity, kind efforts and practical contributions.” Mrs Rifkatu Wallah added that their community and the school are happy and thankful that the company has continued to be open-handed in giving to its host communities, especially to the schools on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-kano-Road project corridor.

“These donations will go a long way to assist the students’ and drive their zeal for studying, and indeed has become a progressive boost to achieving the country’s United Nations aligned strategic millennium development goals”, she said. Mrs. Rifkatu Wallah also noted that, “…it is not the first time that Julius Berger has done remarkable contributions to different schools around our communities….We are indeed honoured to have been part of the company’s visionary contributions to human capital development in our communities. Julius Berger is proactively creating lasting legacies that would not be forgotten in a hurry,” she said

The Chairman of School Base Management Committee, Jaji District, Igabi L.G.A, described the day as a very special one for the school. “On behalf of our Community and the School Base Management Committee, I want to sincerely appreciate the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for making today a very special day for our school and Community”. According to the Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has added a shine to the school by coming up with the donations to improve the learning convenience and ability of the students. “We are grateful to the company and we pray that God blesses the company tremendously”, he said.

A member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Igabi East Constituency, Hon. Salisu .D. Bala who was represented at the event by Mr Mukhtar Yakubu, also commended Julius Berger and said, “…on behalf of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Igabi East Constituency, we appreciate Julius Berger for this laudable effort. Thank you Julius Berger. We so much appreciate you all your laudable efforts and we continue to see them”.

At the UBE Primary School, Sayen Lemu Zaria, Julius Berger’s CSR efforts were also received sincere commendations. The School management and students gratefully acknowledged the company’s uncommon and continuing commitment to the progressive transformation of their community and school. The Assistant Head Teacher of the school, Mustapha Umaru, expressed happiness and noted that the donation of the classroom block was the first of its kind in the history of the school “…I want to specially thank Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for providing us with this beautiful edifice. This is in no way a small project, or something we should take for granted; this has been one of the things we could not afford for our children and Julius Berger has given it to us on a platter. Our children can now stay in their classrooms without being beaten by rain or scotched by the sun due to cracked and broken roofs. On behalf of the staff, parents and the pupils of UBE Primary School, Sayen Lemu Zaria, I say thank you”, he said.

The Village Head of Sayen Lemu Zaria, Idris Hamza, said, “We appreciate the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for the newly constructed classroom blocks. Julius Berger has created a mutual relationship between our community and the company. Our community’s history would not be complete without a mention of the efforts the company has put into the development of our schools and community”. The Chairman, Community Development Association, who was also present at the event, also thanked the company for the CSR items gifted to the school, adding that, “Words won’t be able to show how happy we feel. I pray God rewards the company and continuously bless the works of their hands. Once again, Thank You”.

The Julius Berger delegation to the events included Engr. Yusuf Ibrahim, supported by Julius Berger AKR Commercial Manager, Fabian Schneider. Others officials of the company who attended the ceremonies include Michael Ashofor and Olivia Uzoma.