The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) says it has spent over N17bn at the Bauchi State University, Gadau for various infrastructure-related interventions from 2012 to date.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, disclosed this on Friday during the inauguration of the N1.025bn Central Library Complex constructed at the main campus of the university by the Fund.
Represented by TETFund’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Oladimeji Babatunde, Echono explained that the university had enjoyed robust support of the Fund since it was enlisted as a beneficiary in 2012. This, he said, had helped the university to assert itself as an outstanding institution in the North-East.
He stated, “From 2012 to date, TETFund has allocated the sum of N17,336,446,369.32 for infrastructure-related interventions only, cutting across the annual, special, special high impact and zonal interventions, amongst others.
“With about 97 per cent funds already accessed, we note with delight that these funds are being deployed judiciously in the provision of requisite facilities, which are obviously seen in various locations on the campus here. No doubt, projects undertaken with these funds have remarkably impacted the mandate of the university in facilitating teaching, learning, research and community service.
“The Central Library Complex being inaugurated today was a project approved under the Years 2017-2019 (Merged) annual intervention of the Fund at a total cost of N1,025,000,000.00, inclusive of construction, furnishing, equipping, external works and consultancy. It is gratifying to note that the project was successfully completed and handed over to the university after the construction which spanned approximately two to three years.”
He said the doggedness and focus of the university management in the face of various debilitating circumstances faced by the nation was noteworthy, adding that the project was ready for formal inauguration and usage.
He added, “We are delighted therefore to witness this ceremony for the unveiling and commissioning of the edifice. We are quite confident that this edifice will be a resource powerhouse for stocking current publications and periodicals for knowledge acquisition and will be a strong resource base for carrying out diverse research endeavours.”
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Fatima Tahir, described the library project as a milestone intervention that would help in shaping the future of the institution.
The VC added, “We must acknowledge the vital role played by TETFund in making this dream a tangible reality. Their unwavering support, both financial and logistically, has ensured that we have the resources necessary to provide exceptional learning experience for our students.”
“On behalf of our university, I extend our deepest gratitude to the Federal Government of Nigeria and to TETFund for their commitment to education and for believing in the transformative power of knowledge.”
