The federal government has expressed optimism that the University of Benin (UNIBEN) N100 billion (One Hundred Billion Naira) Trust Development Fund launch will reposition and expand access to sustainable financing in the tertiary institution for global reckoning.
The minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa made this assertion while delivering his goodwill message on Saturday in the University of Benin, which he stated has “demonstrated leadership by showing that excellence cannot only be achieved through government interventions, but through shared responsibility”.
Represented by the Vice Chancellor, national University of Science and Technology, Abuja,
Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, called “upon other Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Alumni bodies, Corporate Organizations, friends of Education to emulate this commendable initiative” that aligns with the federal government renewed hope agenda with enduring success that will open a new chapter in the institution’s illustrious history.
The minister said, “I “challenge our Universities to cultivate a human culture of endowment needed as institutional leadership. I express my confidence that Nigerian Universities possess the intellectual capacity, Alumni networks and goodwill that is needed to unlock transformational resources for their continuous growth”.
The minister also said, “This bold initiative sends a powerful message that Nigerian Universities are prepared to take ownership of their future for institutional development” and commended UNIBEN Trust Development Fund and members, Board of Trustees and development partners, UNIBEN Management, Alumni, and other stakeholders for their steadfast and dedication to duty over the years.
Alausa, specifically acknowledged the outstanding role of the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof Edoba Omoregie, SAN, “whose exemplary leadership, foresight and unwavering commitment, continue to reposition the University for global and national reward”, describing the VC as a transformational leader who is in a hurry to achieve his mandate.
“His determination to leave behind a legacy of excellence, innovation and opportunity, is both admirable and inspiring”, while tapping into both low and high hanging fruits towards securing the future of the institution, according to the Education minister.
Speaking on the significance of the N100 billion Trust Development launch, the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, SAN, harped on the need to mobilize resources and respond to immediate needs through collaboration and address infrastructure deficit, promote research, innovation, students development, including security of staffers and students in addition to other urgent issues of concern in the federal institution.
Former Governor of Lagos State and two term former minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who is an alumnus of the University of Benin, appealed to kind-hearted Nigerians, including Alumni Association, partners to donate generously to the launch to among others, “sustain the enduring legacy of the institution not necessarily as a matter of desire, but as a matter of urgent necessity and secure the reputation of the institution for the upcoming generations”.
“I recall, at the time I was here (UNIBEN). 39 years ago. As an undergraduate then, the students population was just 5,000. At that time, the facilities were already being overstretched. To respond to those facilities was, first, the hostels that were built to accommodate two students, which started accommodating three students in my time. Later, it became four students in a hostel.
“But when that response later became unsustainable, Hall 4 (Abuja) in UNIBEN was built. So, that 5,000 students population has multiple in many folds even up to thousands of students today”, he queried, “so, how does this generation responds?”
On his part, the minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, challenged Management of Nigerian Universities to incubate ideas and devise alternative sources of funding, insisting that government can no longer fund Universities alone due to rising demands and the economic reality.
“The future of higher education in our Country cannot be left to governments alone”, noting that the initiative aligns with the federal government education policy, leading to the establishment of students loan being operationalised by the the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
Earlier, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Board of University of Benin, Prof. Umaru Shuaibu and the chairman Board of Trustees, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, highlighted the vision behind the initiative and essential steps the Board and Management of the institution took in order to realize the dream, while sending their gratitude to donors for their support and devotion towards the project in UNIBEN where the Governor of Edo State, represented by his Chief of Staff, Yakubu Musa also deliv
ered his goodwill message.
