FROM: Joe Effiong, Uyo
The sum of two hundred and fifty million naira (N250m) has been given as a grant to the University of Uyo for the construction of four classroom blocks at its main campus by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa).
The grant is part of ASR Africa efforts at providing sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting health, education and social development within Africa.
The University of Uyo becomes a beneficiary through the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme (TEGS), which was drawn from ASR Africa’s US$100 million Fund for Social Development and Renewal.
This Managing Director/CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, who disclosed this while performing the groundbreaking ceremony of tge classroom blocks at Uniuyo, explained that the gesture comes from the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu’s passion for supporting quality education as well as a conducive environment for learning within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and Africa.
The MD said the classroom blocks would be completed within six months from when it was started , adding that upon completion, four different lectures could be going on simultaneously at the venue.
He stressed that The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) established in 2021 is the brainchild of the African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
“So far, over 27 public and private Nigerian universities and institutions of higher learning have benefitted from the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants, including the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the University of Ilorin, the University of Benin, and the University of Ibadan; Adamawa State University, University of Jos, Federal University of Technology, Minna amongst others.”
Udoh said the choice of the University of Uyo, after applying was a result of its institutional and management performance as well as its academic output. He then added that the choice of project to be carried out with the grant is determined by each institution.
Udoh commended the management of the University of Uyo for their support and reiterated the commitment of the founder and Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, to supporting quality education, as well as providing solutions to developmental issues affecting health, education and social development within Africa.
He further urged the students to make good use of the new facility when completed.
In his remarks, the elated Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, expressed his gratitude to ASR Africa for considering the University of Uyo as a worthy beneficiary of the Tertiary Education Grant Scheme.
He emphasised that the construction of the classroom blocks which was a top priority for the university would bring great relief, to the permanent site of the institution.
While expressing his appreciation to the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for his various interventions in tertiary institutions in the country, Prof Ndaeyo reiterated his appeal to the federal government to release a take-grant to Uniuyo, to help the institution provided the needed facilities on the campus.