By Ovat Abeng
Keystone Bank Limited, on Saturday 11th October, 2025 officially handed over a fully renovated and equipped block of classrooms to St. Jude Secondary school Ihiala, in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the bank, the initiative is part of its Educational Support Initiative.
The commissioning ceremony held at the school premises brought together Government officials, Keystone Bank executives, community leaders, educators, and students in celebration of the successful completion of the project.
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In her address, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, Chairman, Board of Directors at Keystone Bank, emphasized the bank’s commitment to education as a cornerstone of national development.
“At Keystone Bank, we believe that investing in education is one of the most powerful ways to contribute to the progress of our nation.
“This renovated school block represents what is achievable when the private and public sectors work together towards a shared vision.
“This project is a seed of hope, inspired by the Governor’s vision for education in Anambra State.”
According to her, it is a great joy on behalf of the board and management of Keystone Bank, to hand over this newly renovated classroom block under our Keystone bank education school initiative (KBESI). “For us this is more than a building, it is an investment in the minds of our children and our contribution to the governor’s vision of putting education at the centre of Anambra’s transmission.
“Through KBESI, we are renewing schools, empowering youth, and aligning corporate resources with national development.
“Under governor’s Soludo’s leadership, Anambra has become a model of purposeful reform, where over 8,000 new teachers recruited, free education from nursery to SS3, digital teaching tools for thousands of educators and smart schools and curriculum renewal that link learning to skills and innovation.
“As we handover this renovated classroom block today, we do so with pride and hope and may these classrooms inspire learning, curiosity and dreams that will shape tomorrow.
“We commended the governor for creating an environment where partnership like this can thrive in Anambra State, the chairman stated.
In his remark, Mr Imam Hassan, the Managing Director of Keystone Bank, elaborated that the initiative was carried out under the Keystone Bank Education Support Initiative, acknowledging the challenge of selecting a school amid the Governor’s extensive efforts across various institutions.
He added that the project includes upgrades to the administration block, the school hall, ten classrooms, among other facilities, aimed at complementing the Governor’s work. “Public-Private-Community Partnerships serve the public good,” Hassan stated, encouraging all to make good use of the new facilities.
Commending the management of Keystone Bank for the gesture shortly after the commissioning, the state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive vision for educational reforms in Nigeria.
Soludo highlighted the significance of collaboration, stating, “The partnership between government, the public, the private sector, and the community is critical for driving development forward.” This message underscored my administration’s commitment to the Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) policy, aimed at revitalizing the state’s educational landscape.
The governor called on public-spirited individuals and organizations to “prioritize education and health,” reinforcing that collective effort is essential for fostering a more equitable and just society.
He urged others to “emulate Keystone Bank’s leadership and commitment to public schools in the country.
