For students and teachers at Comprehensive High School, Edemaya, in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, a safer, more functional and welcoming learning environment is becoming a reality. This reality is being supported by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) through Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF)s Model School Initiative (MSI), in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education.
The intervention is addressing critical infrastructure needs at the school, creating better conditions for children to learn and teachers to work. The ongoing work at Comprehensive High School, Edemaya, includes 3 classroom blocks of 11 classrooms, 3 offices (Principal, Staff), 3 toilets , a library and assembly hall, connecting walkways, an entrance gate and security room to enhance safety.
At Edemaya, the investment is about more than renovating buildings. It is about creating an environment where children can learn with dignity, develop confidence and acquire the knowledge and skills they need for the future.
During a visit to the project site, Mr. Edo H. Ekpene, Director of Projects at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education, said We appreciate Sterling Oil for supporting VCDF to deliver this important intervention. The quality of work on site is commendable, and the Ministry of Education will continue to monitor progress to ensure standards are maintained. We encourage you to extend similar projects to more communities across Akwa Ibom State so that more students can benefit from improved learning environments.
For the school leadership, the intervention is already being viewed as an important investment in the future of its students. Mrs. Regina Aniekan Jack, Principal of Comprehensive High School, Edemaya, said We are grateful to Sterling Oil and VCDF for choosing our school. The work being carried out meets our specifications and will greatly improve the learning environment for our students and staff.
For the students of Edemaya, the change is tangible: better facilities, a more secure school environment and renewed confidence in the place where they learn and prepare for tomorrow.
MSI contributes to the development of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 Quality Education by creating safe, inclusive and effective learning environments for all learners.
VCDFs MSI programme has taken up 9 schools so far, of which 2 schools have been completed in Lagos (Obele Community Junior and Senior High Schools) and 1 in Akwa Ibom (Iko Community Secondary School in Iko Town), The completed schools were handed over in the presence of the Honourable Commissioners of Education in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States. Building on this success, Sterling Oi has sponsored VCDF to carry out interventions in additional 6 schools in Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Lagos States.
Since 2022, VCDFs wider education programmes sponsored by Sterling Oll have reached more than 37,515 people across the three states. To date, the Model School Initiative has reached more than 4,755 beneficiaries across Akwa Ibom, Delta and Lagos States.
Sterling Oil’s support for VCDFs MSI programme reinforces its commitment to expanding access to quality education by turning investment in school infrastructure into safer, more supportive spaces where students can thrive.
VCDF will continue to leverage Sterling Oils Corporate Social Responsibility investment by working with government, institutions, and communities to improve access to quality education across Nigerian communities.