Lawmaker facilitates NOUN study centre in Bauchi

The Member representing Darazo-Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro, has facilitated the establishment of a Community Study Centre for the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The Centre was officially commissioned and taken over by the Management of the University on Wednesday.

The facility, equipped with state-of-the-art distance learning equipment and modern classrooms, was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Ayinde Peters, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Isaac Sammani Butswat.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor stated that the Soro Community Study Centre is more than just a building; it is a beacon of hope and opportunity, designed to empower the community through education. He added that it embodies the university’s commitment to knowledge and skill development and that the Centre will provide distance learning students with a supportive environment, equipped with modern facilities and essential resources necessary for their academic success.

Professor Peters further noted that the Soro Community Study Centre is set to become a vibrant hub for knowledge, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within the community.

As a knowledge hub, he emphasized that the Centre will serve as a local center for knowledge dissemination, research, and digital literacy training, empowering both youths and adults with essential skills to improve their employment opportunities and entrepreneurship potential. He also highlighted its role in promoting community cohesion by strengthening social bonds through shared educational goals and collaborative learning.

Explaining the facilities and resources available, the Vice Chancellor said the Centre is designed to provide an optimal learning environment, equipped with modern facilities and comprehensive resources to support every learner’s journey. According to him, it offers modern study rooms that are comfortable and conducive for both individual and group study, internet access and digital tools for seamless online engagement, access to NOUN’s vast electronic library, academic support services to assist students in their academic pursuits, and future plans for workshops, seminars, and community outreach programs to enrich learning experiences.

In a call to action, Professor Peters urged members of the community to take full advantage of the Centre, stating that their engagement is key to its success. He reaffirmed NOUN’s commitment to the continuous improvement and expansion of services at the Centre to ensure it remains a leading hub for learning.

On the vision for the future, he stressed that the Soro Study Centre is expected to serve as a shining model for other communities across the nation, demonstrating the transformative power of accessible education.

The Vice Chancellor also commended Hon. Mansur Manu Soro for facilitating the establishment of the Study Centre as part of his efforts to promote education in the Federal Constituency.

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Earlier in his remarks, Hon. Mansur Manu Soro said that the gathering was in recognition of the importance of education, which he described as essential to the socio-economic development of any society. He stated that education remains the only means through which nations can emancipate themselves from the shackles of poverty and attain greatness.

He explained that the establishment of the Centre was borne out of the need to expand access to tertiary education for the people of Darazo-Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi Central Senatorial District, and indeed the entire North-East region of Nigeria. He added that the Centre is built on approximately 10 hectares of land and houses elaborate structures capable of accommodating up to 1,000 undergraduates.

He lamented the prolonged neglect and marginalization of the Darazo-Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State, and the North-East zone in the distribution of national resources and developmental projects. He stressed that there is an urgent need for the constituency, the state, and the region to leverage education as a tool for emancipation.

Hon. Soro noted that the commissioning of the NOUN Soro Centre, which is the first of its kind in the entire Bauchi Central Senatorial District, adds to the legacy of intervention projects in the education sector. He recalled that in 2021, his administration established four Gifted Senior Secondary Schools and one Special Primary School located in Sade, Soro, Kafin Madaki, Darazo, and Lanzai respectively.

He explained that these five tuition-free schools serve as incubators for the best minds in the constituency, preparing them for future leadership and offering support to vulnerable children at the primary level. He disclosed that to sustain the operations of these schools and to provide the students with free uniforms, books, bags, shoes, an annual pocket allowance of N10,000 per student, NECO fee payments, and support for teachers and health services, over N100 million has been spent in the last four years.

He further stated that in a bid to address youth unemployment and redundancy, his office has resolved to deepen its partnership with NOUN and the Government of Bauchi State by designating a department within the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Vocational Studies. This, he said, will host quick-win programs aimed at creating jobs and promoting self-reliance.

In conclusion, he expressed appreciation to the administration of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for providing the enabling environment that made it possible to sustain interventions in key sectors of the constituency’s economy. He also commended the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, the DVC Academics, and the entire management team of the university for their continued dedication to the advancement of education in Nigeria.