Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has restated the commitment of his administration to deploy more resources for the infrastructural development of educational institutions in the state.
Governor Sani Bello stated this when he commissioned the twin students’ hostels and the Department of Economics named after late Ambassador James Tsado Kolo, at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai.
The Governor maintained that despite the setback caused by COVID-19 and insecurity in the state, his government has continued to deliver on its intervention strategy in the education sector.
He said in recognition of the importance of Technical and Vocational education in driving 21st-century development in all sectors a budgetary provision has been made for the rehabilitation of Technical and Vocational Schools in 2023 to consolidate the Whole School Development Approach in the state.
The Governor expressed optimism that the hostels would help greatly in reducing the accommodation challenges confronting the students of the University.
While stressing the need for collaboration in funding education, Governor Sani Bello appreciated Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu for his generosity in completing the Economics Department of the institution and the support of other good-spirited individuals and corporate organizations that have contributed to the infrastructural development of the University.
He also commended the Governing Council, Senate Staff, and Students of the institution and reassured them of the qualitative educational system at all levels.
“Our intervention strategy in the education sector remains to improve the quality and access for every child. We will continue to invest so much in the development of teachers, and improve infrastructural facilities to add value to the products of our school system”, he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abubakar Baba Aliyu explained that each of the hostels was built through a contract financing arrangement with a commercial bank at the cost of over N301.5M.
He said the initial cost of each hostel was over N223.7M in 2019 but was reviewed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic forces.
The Commissioner appreciated the Governor for his uncommon efforts in funding legacy projects in the education sector in the state.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Abu Kasim Adamu said that the university is open to partnership and collaboration with reputable and interested private and public sectors and also international donor agencies as it has deepened their relationship.
He applauded Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu for completing the economics department of the University as well as others who are contributing to the success of the varsity.
The VC appealed to other individuals and corporate bodies to support the growth of the institution as it is people driven.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, of Urban Shelter, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu represented by Mallam Rilwan Aliyu said, Mallam Aliyu believes that education is key in building and sustaining the society hence he decided to complete the Economics Department of the institution through the Ibrahim Aliyu Trust Foundation.
He further explained that the Chairman Urban Shelter named the Economics Department after the late James Tsado Kolo because he was the first Economist in the state.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello thereafter inspected the college of health sciences and the Professorial building projects within the university.
Mary Noel-Berje
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Niger State.