By Stephen Adeleye.
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), on Tuesday, promised its support for the newly established Confluence University of Science and Technology ((CUSTECH), Osara in Kogi, as soon as the university is enlisted by the board.
Dr Suleiman Zangina gave the assurance when he led a team from TETFUND Abuja, on an inspection tour to the ongoing rehabilitation project work at CUSTECH permanent site in Osara, Adavi LGA of Kogi State.
The TETFUND team were conducted round the facilities at the university campus by Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, accompanied by the CUSTECH’s Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku, and other stakeholders.
Zangina noted that the university had formally applied to TETFUND for enlistment as a beneficiary of the fund.
According to him, the management considered it fit that we should come for visitation because it is part of the process.
He explained that before any institution could be a beneficiary of the fund, it must be formally enlisted by the board.
“We have come, we have gone round and we have seen that the university has inherited some structures from the Kogi State Polytechnic.
“In addition, the State is putting some values to those structures; massive renovation work is ongoing, and I think so far so good the university is on the fast lane,” he said.
He stressed that the TETFUND visit was a prerequisite for the enlistment of the university, saying it could not be enlisted without the visit.
He added that after the visit, a recommendation would be made to the management regarding the university, which would be considered for approval by the board.
“When the board gives approval, a formal letter will be issued to the university for enlistment, and we are hoping it will not take time,” he said.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Commissioner for Education Science and Technology commended the TETFUND team for the visit, saying it was a dream come through as a state.
Jones stressed that as a state, Gov. Yahaya Bello had put in his best for the university to commence but there was a need for external supports especially from TETFUND.
“We all know the role of TETFUND as far as tertiary institutions’ support is concerned, and we are very grateful and excited that the fund’s team has visited us so early. It shows that God is with us in this project.
“With the assurances we have gotten from the team today, I am sure that by God’s grace, CUSTECH would be enlisted by TETFUND very soon,” Jones said.
The Commissioner added that he was optimistic that very soon CUSTECH would begin to enjoy massive intervention and support from TETFUND.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of CUSTECH, Engr. Prof. Salawu Sadiku, noted that the early visit of tetfund team to the university, showed that the relationship between the board and CUSTECH was very cordial.
“We are looking forward to getting support from tetfund for the development of the university.
“For TETFUND to even be here as early as this time, shows that the relationship between TETFUND and CUSTECH is really cordial, and I am very happy for that,” Sadiku said.
He reiterated that they had a marching order from His Excellency to commence the academic activities at the university by the end of February.
“We are working assiduously to achieve that order because we don’t want to fail His Excellency, the state and the nation,” Sadiku said.
