The Governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose is set to commission the e-library built by Sterling Bank Plc for the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State. The project is part of the bank’s contributions to improve the nation’s education sector under its ‘One Education’ initiative.
A statement signed by Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Mr. Shina Atilola made available to newsmen over the weekend also confirmed that in sustenance of its strategic focus on clean environment as one of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) priorities, the Bank will also present 1000 units of branded highway managers’ and sweepers’ kits to the Governor.
The reflective kits will be used by the beneficiaries engaged by the State Government to clean various highways and major streets in the state. It would be recalled that Atilola at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bank and the authorities of the College assured that the project would be completed in a record time.
Disclosing that the e-library is equipped with 80 computers, three servers and fibre optic cabling to provide power, he added that the Bank would subscribe for education materials on behalf of the school locally and internationally on an annual basis. “This is to ensure that the students have access to updated materials to develop their academic career”, he explained.
Speaking further he said, “Sterling Bank is known for innovation in several areas. As it concerns Education which has become the major focus of the Bank, we believe our business is to enrich lives in innovative ways. When you invest in people especially young people, you are enriching their lives and they will in turn enrich the society”.
On the Bank’s choice of the e-library project, he cited the need for private sector participation in education based on research. “Research shows that Nigeria needs one billion dollars investment annually for the education sector to be at par with the least developed country in advanced nations”.
The Sterling Bank’s chief strategist was optimistic that this project and other investments in the education sector will lay a solid foundation for education and technology development in the country.
In her earlier remarks, the Provost of the institution, Prof Mrs. Francisca Aladejana, commended the Bank for supporting the development of education in the country and for the provision of the e-library for the institution.
She stated that with the support the Bank has offered the school, “We are confident that we will soon become a referenced knowledge based educational institution in the country.
Other financial institutions in the country must see the need to partner with educational institutions in the country to fast track development in the sector.”
With the establishment of the e-learning project, the Provost stated that Sterling Bank has added a new dimension to banking in the country in terms of value add stating that “this is the first time a financial institution has offered to support the institution without any form of commitment when we have not even established a firm business relationship with them”.
She said the project would assist the school to meet its obligation as an accredited institution to conduct the computer based Joint Admission & Matriculation Board (JAMB).
