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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
A community study centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), facilitated by the Member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Hon Mansur Manu Soro, has been commissioned and taken over by the Management of the University.
The facility, with the state of the art and modern distance learning equipment and classrooms was officially commissioned by the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Olufemi Ayinde Peters, represented by the DVC Administration, Prof Isaac Sammani Butswat.
In his speech, the VC stated that, “The Soro Community Study Centre is more than just a building; it’s a beacon of hope and opportunity, designed to empower our community through education.”
He added that, “It embodies our commitment to knowledge and skill development. This Study Centre will provide distance learning students with a supportive environment, equipped with modern facilities and
essential resources necessary for their academic success.”
Olufemi Peter added 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 stated that it will be a local center for knowledge dissemination, research, and crucial digital literacy training as well as empowering youths and adults with essential skills for improved employment prospects and entrepreneurship.
It will also serve for Community Cohesion by Strengthening community bonds through shared educational goals and collaborative learning.
Explaining the Facilities and Resources Available, the VC stated that, “The Soro Community Study Centre is designed to provide an optimal learning environment, equipped with state-of-the-art
facilities and comprehensive resources to support every learner’s journey.”
According to him, “Modern Study Rooms: Comfortable and conducive spaces for individual and group study. Internet Access & Digital Tools: High-speed internet and necessary digital learning tools for seamless online engagement.
NOUN’s E-Library: Access to NOUN’s vast electronic library, offering a wealth of academic materials and resources.
Academic Support: Dedicated support services to assist students with their academic pursuits.
Future Programs: Plans for workshops, seminars, and community outreach programs to enrich learning experiences.”
In a call to action and future vision, the NOUN VC urged people of the area to Utilize the Centre stating that,”We strongly encourage all
community members to fully utilize
the resources and opportunities
available at the Soro Study Centre.”
According to him, “Your engagement is key to its
success. For continuous improvement, We are committed to the continuous improvement and
expansion of services at this center,
ensuring it remains a leading hub
for learning.”
On Model for the Nation, he stressed that, “Our vision is for the Soro Study Centre to serve as a shining model for other communities nationwide,
demonstrating the transformative
power of accessible education.”
The VC then commemded the Mansur Manu Soro for facilitating the Community Study Centre as part of his efforts to promote education in the Federal Constituency.
Earlier in his opening remarks, facilitator of the Study Centre and Member representing Darazo-Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Mansur Manu Soro, stated that, “We are gathered here today for the sake of education and the importance of education to socio-economic development of any given society can never be over emphasized. Education remains the only means through which nations can emancipate themselves from the shackles of poverty and attain greatness.”
According to him, “The establishment of the Centre was borne out of the need to expand access to tertiary education to good people of Darazo-Ganjuwa federal constituency, Bauchi central senatorial district and indeed the entire North-Eastern zone of Nigeria. The centre is built on a span of approximately 10 hectares of land, housing elaborate structures capable of accommodating 1,000 undergraduates.”
He lamented that,”Darazo-Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Bauchi State and indeed the North-East zone has suffered years of neglect and marginalization in the distribution of national resources and critical developmental projects, hence the need for the constituency, the state and the zone to leverage on education to emancipate ourselves.”
He stressed that,”The commissioning of the National Open University of Nigeria, Soro Centre – the first of its type in the entire Bauchi central senatorial district – will add to the plethora of our legacy intervention projects in the education sector, having intervened previously in the basic and secondary education levels in the year 2021 through the establishment of 4 Gifted Senior Secondary Schools and 1 Special Primary School in Sade, Soro, Kafin Madaki, Darazo and Lanzai respectively.”
“The 5 tuition-free schools serves as incubators for the best brains of Darazo-Ganjuwa federal constituency, training our younger ones for tomorrow’s leadership as well as providing succour to vulnerable children at the primary level,” he added.
Mansur Manu Soro added that,”In our modest efforts to sustain the operations of the 5 schools and to provide the students and pupils with free uniforms, books, bags, shoes, annual pocket money of N10,000 per head, settlement of NECO fees and support the teachers and health facilities, we have spent about N100million over the last 4 years.”
He further stated that,”In furtherance of our resolve to mitigate the negative impact of youths jobless and redundancy, we have resolved to deepen our partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria, the Government of Bauchi State to designate entrepreneurship development and vocational studies department within the centre to run quick wins programs and create jobs for self dependency.”
He then extended tributes to the administration of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed,”for providing us with the enabling environment to sustain our kind interventions across the most pivotal sectors of the economy of Darazo-Ganjuwa.”
He also saluted the efforts and commitments of the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, DVC Academics and indeed all the management staff of NOUN for their continued national service to education in Nigeria.
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