The Federal Government has commissioned six projects in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra.
The six projects valued at N 2,775,227,111.78 are sponsored by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) of its 2019 Special High Impact Intervention.
In his address during the official commissioning of the facilities at the Faculty of Social Sciences premises on Friday, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Benjamin Kalu reiterated National Assembly’s willingness to continue working harmoniously with the Executive towards making nation’s educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development.
Kalu, who was represented by the the lawmaker representing Orumba North/South Federal Constituency, Hon Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, also assured that the House of Representatives under the leadership of Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbass, would continue to provide necessary support to the Fund through enactment of legislations that would further advance tertiary education across the country.
She said; “I wish to use this opportunity to assure you that the 10th House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and indeed, the entire National Assembly will continue to provide necessary support to the Fund through the enactment of legislation that would further advance tertiary education in Nigeria.
“As we converge today to witness the inauguration of six projects sponsored by TETFund here at the University, I wish to congratulate the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, the principal officers, management staff and students of this great University for the developmental strides at the institution.
“I also wish to congratulate and commend 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.
“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 am quite delighted to note that apart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, other public tertiary educational institutions in Anambra State such as Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli; Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu; Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe; and Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze have not been exempted from the giant strides recorded in the Nigerian tertiary educational space as a result of the intervention efforts of TETFund.
“I wish to reiterate that the National Assembly would continue to work harmoniously with the Executive towards making our educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the country.
“In continuation of the intervention activities of TETFund, I am delighted to note that Six projects valued at N 2,775,227,111.78 will be commissioned at the University today.
“The projects are: Construction of Lecture Halls Complex Year 2014-2016 (Merged) Annual Intervention; and Construction and Furnishing of Faculty Building for Social Sciences Year 2019 Special High Impact Intervention; and Construction and Furnishing of Department of Psychology Building for Social Sciences Year 2019 Special High Impact Intervention; and Construction and Furnishing of Departmental Office Block for Faculty of Education (Vocational Studies) Year 2019 Special High Impact Intervention; and Construction and Furnishing of Classrooms and Block of Offices for Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Year 2019 Special High Impact Intervention; and Construction of Laboratory and Offices for Faculty of Pharmacy Year 2019 Special High Impact Intervention.
“Apart from support for physical infrastructure and provision of equipment at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, I am pleased to note that TETFund has also sponsored 126 (one hundred and twenty-six ) lecturers for Ph.D. from this University in both foreign and local institutions totaling N1,328,493,656.00; 26 (twenty-six) lecturers for Masters Degrees in both foreign and local institutions totalling N180,742,032.50; 10 lecturers for Bench Work totaling N51,802,260.00; 1 lecturer for Postdoc totaling N 8,200,000.00 while 416 staff have been sponsored for Conference Attendance locally and abroad at a total cost of N315,722,010.20.
“As we dedicate these structures to the Glory of God and humanity, I wish to admonish the University to take full advantage of these facilities and make good use of them for the educational and vocational development of our students”.
Executive Secretary, TETfund, Arc. Sonny Echono, in his address, said the commissioning of the projects was part of the activities marking the University’s 17th Convocation/Graduation ceremony.
According to Echono who was represented by Arc Inene Eriyo, as Fund, we are happy to be associated with developmental efforts that promote the growth of the university.
“This is particularly gratifying with the increase in the development of requisite infrastructure that aids learning, teaching, and research. It is remarkable to note that TETFund’s interventions in the university commenced in 2009 and this privilege has been enjoyed till date.
“From commencement, a total sum of N10,567,075,176.00 has been allocated for infrastructure-related interventions, cutting across the Annual, Special and Zonal
interventions, amongst others. So far, about 87.33% of these funds have already been accessed for the provision of requisite facilities in the university.
“We believe the projects undertaken with these funds have remarkably impacted the mandate of
the university in facilitating teaching, learning, and research.
“Funds were allocated between 2016 and 2020, and completions successfully achieved between 2022 and 2023.
“The total cost of these projects amounts to N1,917,916,211.54, all delivered successfully in line with the TETFund guidelines.
“This is surely a testament to the resolve, focus and agility of Management of the institution in partnering with the Federal Government in its efforts to make our public tertiary institutions centres of excellence and citadels of research and discovery and a drive towards making the institutions globally competitive.
“In line with the renewed hope agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, our resolve as a Fund is to ensure that our interventions are sustained and improved as much as possible to enable our institutions undertake 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 shall continually engage with our beneficiary institutions towards ensuring the delivery of iconic and impactful intervention projects in subsequent intervention years.
The TeTfund boss urged the management to maintain focus and ensure consistency in realising the mandate of the university.
The University Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, in his brief appreciation speech, while commending the Federal Government and the TeTfund management team for the projects, assured that the University will make use of the facilities judiciously.
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