Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has tasked multinational companies to do more for the society instead of giving handouts.
He spoke yesterday at the commissioning of an ICT Centre donated by Shell Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation to Edo College, Benin City.
The ICT Centre consists an ICT block, 20 units of Desktop Computers with interconnectivity facilities; 27 KVA power Generator, C Band Internet of 512/256 Kbps with three years subscription.
Speaking on the occasion, Oshiomhole expressed appreciation to Shell and NNPC for putting the centre together to improve the student’s knowledge of computer.
According to him “I like to appreciate NNPC and Shell for appreciating that they have a duty as beneficiaries of public funded capital development to also share their the profit to the baking of that human capital. The human capital that drives technology is baked by institutions such as this.
“I am satisfied with what I have seen and I am happy that some of the students are already taking full advantage and I have no doubt that it would be of immense benefit not only to Edo College Students but the entire state”, he remarked.
He however told the companies “as an oil producing state Edo State should get a higher share of your handout. It can’t be the same. Those who live by the river side should get more than those to whom the water is passed.
Oshiomhole added “I like to appeal to PTA leaders not to be satisfied with various organizations giving you computers. If there is no school there would be no place to put those computers. I am sure between Shell and NNPC they can make additional contribution to rebuild abandoned projects”.
In his remark, the Shell representative Mr. Amaechi Onaiwa said the essence of establishing the centre is to empower the education system given our children the opportunity to explore.
He expressed hope that the centre would be maintained and sustained for generation of students.
In a message the Group General Manager, Petroleum Investment Management Services represented said the company believed in the youths of the country, hence the company is committed to helping develop them in information and communication Technology.
Earlier the principal of the college thanked the companies for the opportunity given to the college to avail itself of the state of the arts learning equipment.
