Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State, the Minister of Transport, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, and the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETfund, TETfund, Mr. Sonny Echono, have commissioned several projects funded by TETfund in Gombe State University.
The Executive Secretary of TETfund, Mr. Sonny Echono, said 11 projects were commissioned, amongst them are the Special High Impact intervention, Special, Annual, and Zonal interventions for which funds were allocated between 2014 and 2021.
Mr. Echono said, “The projects had been completed and delivered successfully in line with the TETfund guidelines between 2021 and 2023, at a total cost of 4 billion, 591 million, 813 thousand, 389 naira 70 kobo.”
He said the Gombe State University was enlisted as a TETfund beneficiary in 2006 to date and had accessed over 15 billion Naira in interventions, representing 86% of funds allocated to the institution.
According to him, “TETfund has resolved to ensure that its interventions are sustained and improved on to enable institutions to undertake bigger and more laudable and impactful projects to become globally competitive and situate them in enviable positions among their peers, both nationally and globally.”
“We shall continually engage with our beneficiary institutions towards ensuring the delivery of iconic and impactful intervention projects in subsequent intervention years,” Mr. Echono said.
Speaking during the commissioning, Governor Yahaya reaffirmed his commitment to collaborate with the TETfund to improve the infrastructure of the University and other state-owned higher institutions, by fostering an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning.
The Governor extended his gratitude to those who played vital roles in establishing the institution, specifically, the former Governor, Senator Dajuma Goje, the pioneer Vice Chancellor, the late Professor Abdullahi Mahdi, who placed the institution as a springboard for academic excellence, and a pride to the people.
“Throughout the years, numerous individuals, including students and staff have been contributing immensely to the progress of our nation, especially Gombe State,” Governor Yahaya said.
The Governor expressed gratitude to TETfund for its consistent intervention in institutions of higher learning across the state, particularly under the leadership of Mr. Echono, a man whom he described as a seasoned administrator.
He further announced that the Gombe State University would soon expand to the Dukku campus, which would accommodate the Faculty of Environmental Sciences.
The Minister of Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubuat the event.
He said the President had also approved the implementation of the upward review of Education Tax to 3% percent in recognition of the role of TETfund in the development of public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria.
Senator Alkali said the initiative would further support and strengthen the intervention activities of the fund, beginning in September 2023.
He said; “This will in no small measure contribute more to the improved funding of the education sector and development of our public tertiary institutions.”
He congratulated the Gombe State University Vice Chancellor, Professor Aliyu El-Nafaty, as well as the management staff and students of the University for the Developmental Strides recorded.
He reiterated President Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to continue to provide all necessary support in making the educational institutions globally competitive for the economic and technological development of Nigeria.
The Minister of Works said he was delighted to note that apart from Gombe State University, other public tertiary educational institutions in Gombe State had benefitted from the intervention efforts of TETfund.
Senator Alkali said; “Apart from supporting physical infrastructure and the provision of equipment, TETfund had also sponsored 232 lecturers from this University for Ph.D. degrees in both foreign and local institutions.”
The projects commissioned are:
1. Faculty of Pharmaceutical – 2014/2016 (merged) Annual intervention;
2. Faculty of Law Complex – 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention;
3. Female Hosted A – 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention;
4. Faculty of Arts & Management Sciences – 2017 Special High Impact Project Intervention;
5. Faculty of Education (Dept. of Arts and Dept. of Science Education & Library – 2017 Special High Impact Project (SHIP) Intervention;
6. Theatre Arts Drama Studio – the 2017 Special High Impact Project (SHIP) Intervention;
7. Medical Clinic (Health Centre) – 2020 zonal intervention.
8. University Fire Service Station – 2021 Zonal Intervention; and
9. Female Hostel B – 2021 Special High Impact Project (SHIP).
Mercy Chukwudiebere
