Jubilation as Federal Government Commissions N2.8bn TETfund Projects at UNIZIK

By Praise Chinecherem

The Federal Government on Friday inaugurated six TETFund-sponsored projects worth N2.8 billion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

Inaugurating the projects, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Benjamin Kalu, said the structures would enhance teaching, learning and improvement of academic standards in the university.

The projects include lecture halls, faculty building for social sciences, Department of Psychology building for Social Sciences and laboratory/offices for Faculty of Pharmacy.

Other were classrooms and block of offices for Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Departmental office block for Faculty of Education (Vocational Studies).

Kalu, represented by Reps member representing Orumba North and South Federal Constituency, Mrs Chinwe Nnabuife commended TETFund for their efforts in the development of public tertiary education in Nigeria.

“In continuation of the intervention activities of TETFund, I am delighted to note that the six projects were valued at N 2,775,227,111.78.

“Apart from support for physical infrastructure and equipment, TETFund has also sponsored 126 lecturers for Ph.D from this university in foreign and local institutions costing N1,328,493,656.00.

“A total of 26 lecturers for Masters Degrees in both foreign and local institutions costing N180,742,032.50; and 10 lecturers for Bench Work costing N51,802,260.00.

“A lecturer was sponsored for Postdoc totaling N8,200,000.00 while 416 staff have been sponsored for conferences locally and abroad at a total cost of N315,722,010.20,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker said the National Assembly would continue
to work with the Executive to make educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the country.

He congratulated the management of the NAU for the developmental strides at the institution.

Also speaking, Executive Secretary, TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono said the Fund’s interventions to the university commenced in 2009 and a total of N10,567,075,176.00 had been allocated for infrastructure-related interventions so far.

Echono, represented by Mr Inene Erivwo, Director Strategic Planning & Development, said about 87.33 per cent of the funds had already been accessed for the provision of requisite facilites in the university.

He assured that the Fund would continue to support the university’s drive for creativity through meaningful research endeavours and provision of necessary infrastructure.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor, UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Esimone said the inauguration of the projects was part of activities marking the 17th Convocation and Graduation ceremony of the institution.

He appreciated TETFund and the contractors of the project for their efforts in ensuring the completion of the facilities.