President Tinubu commended for showing commitment to educational development since inauguration

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Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, centre and Gombe Governor Yahaya, right

By Akanji Alowoludo, Gombe

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has been commended for the commitment he has demonstrated towards the development of education since the commencement of his administration in May 29, 2023. 

Such commitment include the introduction of the students’ loan initiative to ease access to tertiary education, as well as meeting personally with the leadership of some of the stakeholders in the sector and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to discuss the welfare of Nigerian students.

The commendation was made by the Minister of Transportation, Sen Sa’idu Alkali while speaking at the the commissioning of projects executed through the intervention of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) at the Gombe State University (GSU), Gombe on Friday.

The Minister who represented the President at the ceremony, stated that, “You would also recall that in recognition of the role of TETFund in the development of public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria, and in a bid to further support and strengthen the intervention activities of the Fund, the President also approved the implementation of the upward review of Education Tax (EDT) to 3 percent with effect from September 2023.”

This according to him, will in no small measure contribute more to the improved funding of the education sector and development of our public tertiary institutions. 

The Minister added that,”as we gather here today for this auspicious occasion, let me congratulate the Vice Chancellor, Prof Aliyu Usman El-Nafaty, the management staff and students of this great university for the developmental strides at the institution.” 

He also congratulated and 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.

“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 no doubt further enhance teaching and learning and improvement of academic standards,” he stressed.

Alkali reiterated that education forms an integral part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, hence the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making  educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the country.

He further stated that, 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. 

The Minister assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains totally committed towards providing greater support and the enabling environment to enable the Fund further improve on its performance. 

He expressed his delight to note that apart from Gombe State University, other public tertiary educational institutions in Gombe State namely: Federal University, Kashere; Gombe State University, Tudun Wada; Gombe State University of Science and Technology, Kumo; National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Gombe; Gombe State Polytechnic, Bajoga; Federal Polytechnic, Kaltungo; Gombe State College of Education, Billiri and Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe have not been exempted from the giant strides recorded in the Nigerian tertiary educational space as a result of the intervention efforts of TETFund.

“Still as part of the intervention activities of TETFund in this University, I am glad to note that Nine iconic projects worth N4,591,813,389.70 will be commissioned at the university today,” he added. 

The projects are: Faculty of Pharmaceutical – 2014/2016 (merged) Annual intervention; Faculty of Law Complex – 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention; Female Hosted A – 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention and Faculty of Arts & Management Sciences – 2017 Special High Impact Project Intervention. 

Others are: Faculty of Education (Dept. of Arts and Dept. of Science Education & Library – 2017 Special High Impact Project (SHIP) Intervention; Theatre Arts Drama Studio – the 2017 Special High Impact Project (SHIP) Intervention; Medical Clinic (Health Centre) – 2020 zonal intervention.

University Fire Service Station – 2021 Zonal Intervention; and Female Hostel B – 2021 Special High Impact Project (SHIP).

Apart from support for the physical infrastructure and provision of equipment, it is important to note the Fund has also sponsored 232 Lecturers from the University for Ph.D Degrees in both foreign and local institutions at a total sum of N1,446,207,078.10; 98 Lecturers for Masters Degrees in both foreign and local institutions totalling N238,646,123.20; while 100 staff have been sponsored for Conferences Attendance locally and abroad at a total cost of N67,803,305.00. 

The Minister stressed that, “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.”

He then expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the opportunity to represent him and perform the inauguration of the iconic projects on his behalf.