TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTRY RE-ASSURED OF FG’S INTERVENTIONS
The Fed
eral Government has restated its commitment towards providing specific interventions to Tertiary Institutions in the country through TET Fund and NEEDS Assessment Projects.
President Mohammadu Buhari stated this in a message to the 2nd convocation ceremony of the Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, FUNAI in Ebonyi State.
Represented by the Director of Management Support Services, National Universities Commission, Chief Victor Onuoha, President Buhari explained that Universities had a critical role to play in the development of the nation’s economy.
He pointed out that as part of efforts to reposition the nation’s tertiary institutions, the Federal Government recently released One point four billion Naira for the construction of asphalted roads in the Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo.
The Chancellor of the University, Oba Michael Gbadebo commended President Buhari for leading the country out of recession and called on the Management of the institution to remain committed to the vision of making it a world class University.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba called on the Federal Government to release a shortfall of its monthly salaries which had forced the University to be paying eighty percent of salaries to its staff since February this year.
Professor Nwajiuba also raised an allegation of wide disparity in the funding of the new twelve Federal Universities pointing out that from 2011 to 2014, FUNAI got One point Five- Nine Billion Naira against Six point Eight -Six -Three Billion Naira received by another institution.
Two hundred and forty seven graduates were awarded Bachelors’ Degrees in four Faculties.
Meanwhile, the president of Igbo Socio cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo has called on separatist agitators in the South East to Support the campaign for restructuring of Nigeria as a panacea to the alleged marginalization of the zone.
Chief Nwodo made the call during a lecture at the university which focused on “the Role of Universities in National Reconciliation”.
He lamened that the use of hate speeches by those fanning the embers of war posed a great threat to the country and urged the nation’s universities to embark on research on the socio political development of the country.
AMECHI ODO