By Charly Agwam – Bauchi
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said that it will continue with its interventions in tertiary institutions despite the economic hardship in the country.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono made the assertion during the weekend at the commissioning of 3 projects worth N472,112,546.83 in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (ATBU).
Represented by Director, Research and Development/Centres of ExcellenceDr. Salihu G. Bakari, the Executive Secretary assured that TETFund will continue to support beneficiaries within the provisions defined by the Board of Trustees.
“We are delighted to use the occasion of this commissioning of projects to showcase the achievements of this government in the tertiary education sub-sector, considering the amount of funds released for the provision of needed infrastructure through the Fund.
“Regardless of the economic challenges in the nation, the Fund is not deterred. We remain focused on the delivery of our mandate and supporting excellence and innovations at our institutions of learning.
“Today, 6 projects will be commissioned at both institutions, 3 at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and another 3 at Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic. We are greatly honoured to have our project commissioner, the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar to commission these projects.
“The total cost of the 3 projects to be commissioned in this institution today amounts to N472,112,546.83,… while the total cost of the 3 projects to be commissioned in Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic amounts to N401,554,348.19, all executed under different intervention headings,” he said.
On his part, President Bola Tinubu who was represented at the event by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said that the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the country.
“As we all know, education plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of nations. Therefore, the commissioning of these projects today at the university would in no small measure further enhance teaching and learning and improvement of academic standards.
“I wish to reiterate that education forms an integral part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda, hence the Federal Government would continue to provide necessary support towards making our educational institutions globally competitive for economic and technological development of the country.
“In continuation of the efforts of the Federal Government through the intervention activities of TETFund, I am delighted to note that four projects; classrooms, departmental buildings, academic buildings and laboratory are due for commissioning and use,” Tuggar noted.