The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has commenced the construction of a 2,000 square metres Career and Renewable Natural Resources Centre at the University of Ibadan.
The Centre will provide counseling and career support to students of the university and explore the potential of cleaner energy solutions for the institution.
This came barely three days after the groundbreaking of a Student Affairs Centre comprising a sports centre, Information and 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, drawing from the N1 billion grant to the university, are in fulfillment of the tertiary infrastructure grant awarded to six universities in 2021 as part of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme.
The grant was drawn from ASR Africa’s US$100 million Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Other universities that benefitted from the grant were 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, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh, 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 among students, nurture students in their career path and provide cleaner energy solutions for the university’s use.
Furthermore, Ubon said the project affirmed 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 centre 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.
According to him, “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.”
In his remarks, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, thanked Abdul Samad Rabiu for making the project a reality.
Prof. Kayode said the project is of great importance to the university, adding that it will address students’ needs for counseling and career mentorship as well as 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.
