President Bola Tinubu has commissioned Ebonyi State University Tertiary Education Trust fund-sponsored project worth a total cost of over N1,551,746,734.
The three projects commissioned include ICT Complex (2012-2015) Merged Annual Intervention, Faculty of Education(2016-2019) Merged Annual Intervention and Annual Intervention.
The event held at the school premises, was attended by Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Minister for Works Senator David Umahi, TETFUND representatives, and many other dignitaries.
Commissioning the project, the President represented by the Honourable Minister for Works Sen. David Umahi described the project as an Excellent job with beautiful architecture and maintenance.
He also disclosed that the President has also approved the implementation of the upward review of Education Tax (EDT)to 3 per cent with effect from September 2023. According to him, the review was to further support and strengthen the intervention activities of the Fund in the development of public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria.
He added that the project will in no small measure contribute more to the improved funding of the education sector and development of the public tertiary institutions.
He then congratulated the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Chigozie Ogbu, the principal officers, management staff and students for the developmental strides at the institution.
The President also commended the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T.Echono and his team for their efforts in effectively discharging the mandate of the Fund for the continuous development of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
His words ” As we all know, education plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of nations. Therefore, the commissioning of these projects today at the university would in no small measure further enhance teaching and learning and improvement of academic standards
“I wish to reiterate that education forms an integral part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, hence the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making our educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development.
“It is on record that over the years, TETFund through the support of the Federal Government has performed exceptionally in the provision of physical infrastructure, support for academic staff training and development, book publication, ICT, research and development amongst others in public tertiary educational institutions across the country.
“I wish to assure you that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains totally committed to providing greater support and the enabling environment to enable the Fund improve its performance.
“I am delighted to note that apart from Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, other public tertiary educational institutions in EbonyiState namely: Alex Ekwueme University (formerly Federal University)Ndufu-Alike, David Umahi University of Medical Science, Uburu, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Federal College of Education(Technical), Isu and College of Education, Ikwo, have not been exempted from the intervention efforts of TETFund.”
The President, however, commended the Governor of the State Francis Nwifuru for his support the university to make it one of the best in the country.
Governor Francis Nwifuru while commending TETfund for the projects in the University, observed that the school has recorded a high level of development in few months.
He noted that he has critically analyzed the three TETfunds projects and discovered that a reason for constructing them were very enormous.
Nwifuru while expressing worry that universities in the country are still producing graduates that have nothing to offer to the society because of the courses that are being offered in the universities that are not needed today.
“So many developed countries don’t offer courses just to make people happy. They offer what can put food on the tables of the graduates.
“So, as a graduate of any discipline in that university, you must be proud and the university must also be proud of your output value.
“So, we are very much challenged now and I want the federal government to look at it now and also discuss this with the NUC so that when they will be assisting our universities, let them not look at the universities basde on theory. NUC should assist our universities based on the practical things the universities can do,” he said.
In his part, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND Arc. Sonny Exhono, said he is optimistic that the projects will strengthen the efforts of the university to become a global player in the tertiary education subsector and significantly contribute to research and development.
He then saluted the doggedness of the Institution management and urged them to maintain focus and ensure consistency in realizing the mandate of the university even as he assured that assure that the TETFund will always support the university to drive for creativity through meaningful research endeavours and continually provide necessary support for infrastructural facilities.
“Our resolve as a Fund is to ensure that our interventions are sustained and improved upon as much as possible to enable our institutions undertake bigger, and more laudable and impactful projects that will make them become globally competitive and situate them in enviable positions among their peers both nationally and globally.
“We therefore urge the university to please ensure that these facilities are well maintained and cared for to avoid early dilapidation.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the institution while commending TETfund for sponsoring the institution, urged Tinubu to also assist the university, build hostels to ease transportation challenges for the students.
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