Caption:From Left is Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic; Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi, University Librarian (behind); Prof. Kayode Adebowale, Vice Chancellor; Dr. Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, ASR Africa during the construction flag-off ceremony at the university Campus on Friday, July 28, 2023.
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), at the weekend said it has commenced the construction of a 2,000 square meters Career and Renewable Natural Resources Centre at the University of Ibadan billed to offer counseling and career support to students and explore the potential of cleaner energy solutions for the university.
This comes barely three days after the groundbreaking of a Student Affairs Centre comprising a sports center, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) hub, administrative offices, and a 1,000-student capacity amphitheater at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State by ASR Africa.
Both projects at the country’s premier university are expected to draw from the N1bn grant which is in fulfillment of the tertiary infrastructure grant awarded to six universities in 2021, as part of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme, drawn from ASR Africa’s US$100m Fund for Social Development and Renewal.
Other beneficiary universities are the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the University of Ilorin, the University of Benin, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Ibadan, Oyo state, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa thanked the university management for their cooperation on the project implementation. He described the project as “life-changing” as it will address diverse mental health issues amongst students, nurture students in their career path and provide cleaner energy solutions for the university’s use.
Furthermore, he said the project affirms Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and Chairman of ASR Africa’s commitment to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and Africa at large. He added that the career center is a project that would further boost the morale of the students of the University of Ibadan to compete academically with their peers outside the country.
“I want to on behalf of Abdul Samad Rabiu thank the university management for the cooperation and partnership they have shown us so far. I want to assure you of growing this partnership and looking forward to better things to come”. Dr. Ubon said.
Also speaking on the grant, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the university’s Vice Chancellor, appreciated Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and Chairman of ASR Africa for making such a project of great importance a reality, saying it will address students’ needs for counseling and career mentorship and pave the way for research on alternative energy.
He assured the ASR Africa team of the management’s support to ensure the speedy completion of the project.
