The Management of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, used a courtesy visit by a member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board of Trustees to press for support on a new set of infrastructure priorities, chief among them a campus-wide solar power plant, perimeter fencing, a fire service station, and hostel accommodation for medical students.
The requests were presented on Friday to Dr. Hassan Abdulrahman Ocholi, the Board of Trustees member representing the North Central Geopolitical Zone and an alumnus of the University, who was received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, along with other Principal Officers.
In his welcome address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor congratulated Dr. Ocholi on his appointment to the Board and thanked TETFund for its sustained partnership with the institution. He also acknowledged the recent donation of ten six-seater electric tricycles by TETFund, noting the intervention would aid the University’s operations.
Topping the University’s list of asks was a solar power plant and accompanying equipment to address persistent energy challenges on campus. Management also called for the construction of perimeter fencing along the University’s boundary to strengthen security, the provision of a fire-fighting truck and the establishment of a fire service station within the University, and the construction and furnishing of hostel accommodation for medical students.
Responding, Dr. Ocholi thanked Management for the reception and said he was especially pleased to return to the institution where he earned his first, second and third degrees. He pledged to pursue support for each of the projects raised.
On power supply, he disclosed that he had already taken up an earlier complaint from the Vice-Chancellor with the relevant authorities and that the request had been forwarded to the appropriate desk for consideration. On the perimeter fencing, he committed to working toward its completion before the end of his tenure on the Board.
Regarding the fire-fighting truck and fire station, Dr. Ocholi said he had, even before his TETFund appointment, held talks with the Director-General of the Federal Fire Service on siting a station in the eastern part of the state, with Anyigba — and potentially the University’s own premises — under consideration. He said a formal request would also be submitted to TETFund to support the plan. On the medical students’ hostel, he assured Management that the proposal would be presented to TETFund’s Management for consideration.
Dr. Ocholi further urged the University to continue supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to reform the education sector, and later joined Management on an inspection of ongoing TETFund-funded projects across the campus. The visit closed with the formal presentation of copies of the University’s bulletin to Dr. Ocholi.
