FG inaugurates N2.8bn TETFund projects in Nnamdi Azikiwe varsity

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

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

It was reported that the projects includes lecture halls, faculty building for social sciences, Department of Psychology building and laboratory/offices for Faculty of Pharmacy.

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

Kalu who was represented by Mrs Chinwe Nnabuife, Reps member representing Orumba North and South Federal Constituency, 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 the support of 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.

“Twenty-six 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 costing N8,200,000.00, while 416 staff have been sponsored for conferences locally and abroad at a cost of N315,722,010.20,” he said.

Kalu 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, Mr Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary, TETFund, said the Fund’s interventions to the university started in 2009.

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

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