By Temilade Olayinka, Ikere-Ekiti
President Muhammad Buhari on Friday unveiled Vocational Education workshop complex in Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Buhari said that the facilities which was 2017/2019 merged intervention projects gulped N318.85 million, adding that the projects would further enhance teaching and learning in the ivory tower.
Inaugurating the project, the president, represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo expressed satisfaction with the project.
He noted that the infrastructural project was a clear testament to the irrevocable commitment of his goverment to provide institutions with basic infrastructure and educational needs that are required for human capital development.
He commended the impacts of Tertiary Education Trust Fund to the growth and development of education sector in the country through various intervention projects.
He noted that TETFUND footprints were visible in tertiary institutions across the country, most especially in the provision of infrastructures, support for academic staff training and development, research, among others.
“I wish to reiterate that education forms an integral part of this administration’s agenda, hence the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making our educational institutions competitive for economic and technological development of the country.
“It is also important to note that the Fund has also sponsored 155 lecturers from the University for Ph.D. degrees totaling N675.9m. While Masters Degrees and bench work gulped N130.5 m and N28.1 million respectively. 224 staff have also been sponsored to attend conferences Attendance totaling N125million.
He adminoshed the institution to make judicious of the projects to inspire the government to do more, saying that the federal government was committed to provide conducive learning environment for the students to thrive.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono commended the management of the universities for their cooperation and efforts towards ensuring the timely completion of the projects.
Echono who was represented by Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Babatunde Olajide, said that the projects apart from adding value, will change the face of the institutions and address infrastructural deficits.
The BOUESTI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olufemi Adeoluwa lauded TETFUND for the projects, saying the infrastructural facilities would be of immense benefits to the students and staff.
Prof. Adeoluwa promised to utilise and maintain the structures for the good of all students, adding that the university
would take advantage of the new project to advance vocational training among staff and students.
“No doubt, the provision of this facility will further enhance higher quality of delivery and equip our staff and students with the acquisition of relevant skills and knowledge that will give them competitive edge above their peers.
“I wish to quickly place on record that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) since its inception has placed all Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria on higher pedestal in terms of physical infrastructure, provision of standard learning facilities, conference attendance sponsorship, Academic Staff Training and Development, Library Development, ICT Intervention,” he said..
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