The Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, has appealed to private individuals and philanthropists to support the government in funding education in Nigeria.

He made the call at an event in Abuja honouring Emeka Offor and his wife, Adaora Offor, who were awarded honorary doctorate degrees by the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The minister acknowledged the government’s significant spending on education but emphasised the need for private sector support.

He praised the Offors’ foundation for their contributions to education and urged others to emulate their example.

The event recognised the Offors’ philanthropic efforts, particularly in the education sector, and their commitment to supporting the development of Nigeria’s educational system.

“The ministry is encouraged by this kind of recognition because the government cannot finance education alone, just as it has contributed a lot.

“That is why people like Emeka Offor and her wife have stepped in, and what they are doing should be encouraged by others. I believe this is an excellent example of resources well used and I urged others to take a cue from what they have done,” Mamman said.

The couple, through the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), created an endowment fund of N150 million for research and scholarly enterprise in the faculties of business administration and social science at UNN and NAU, respectively.

While UNN received N100 million for research activities and scholarly enterprise that will impact the Faculty of Business Administration, NAU received N50 million for the welfare of widows, children with special needs, and other vulnerable members of society.

The Minister commended the donors for their kind gesture, expressing the hope that the endowment funds would be judiciously used for what they were meant for.

“The good thing is that the endowment is tied to particular activities in the universities; there are clear terms for usage and I believe that the institutions will utilise the money,” he added.

Mr Mamman urged philanthropists and kind-hearted individuals to also invest in the federal government’s Safe School Initiative to protect schoolchildren from attacks and other forms of violence.

The celebrant and donor, Emeka Offor, said the endowment funds would be restricted, and the principal sum would be held in perpetuity unless otherwise decided by SEOF and the universities.

Mr Offor said the earnings from the invested assets would be expended according to the donor’s specifications, i.e., funding of research and scholarly enterprise in the Faculty of Business Administration and Social Science of both universities.

“This gesture is our desire to support higher education in Nigeria and strengthen the bond of friendship between the SEOF and the UNN/NAU.

“By creating opportunities just like we have done for these universities, you are reducing the suffering of the masses by creating opportunities for the youths to get the right job.

“We gave those monies as endowment funds and there are conditions attached for their usage; what that means is that the funds will be invested in high-yielding portfolios, not risky ones.

“We don’t want to hear that the money was lost in a bank because they were looking for higher yields; what we want from this N150 million is to remain in the university system to support research and encourage professional exchanges with other countries to acquire knowledge.

“The principal sum shall be maintained on a high-yielding but legitimate investment platform wherein SEOF and UNN/NAU shall nominate the signatories. “There shall be a committee to be set up between SEOF and UNN/NAU to manage the funds and take decisions as appropriate,” he said.

Mr Offor added that there must be a status report made available by the committee to both parties every 12 calendar months.

Romanus Ezeokonkwo, the acting vice chancellor of UNN, assured that the funds would be judiciously used.

He said the donors mentioned what they want to do with the money and we will follow it judiciously and there will be no diversion.

“It will be used to do what it was meant for, I assure you that.”

The Polytechnic, Ibadan has established an eleven-member Energy Management Committee tasked with overseeing and improving energy efficiency across its facilities.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by Dr. Taiwo Abideen Lasisi, the Acting Rector of the institution, at the Board of Studies’ Chamber on Monday, July 1, 2024.

The announcement was made public through a statement released by Soladoye Adewole, the Public Relations Officer of the institution.

The Committee, outlined in its Eight Points Terms of Reference, aims to meticulously monitor and manage energy consumption at various facilities.

This includes identifying areas within buildings where energy is used excessively and implementing measures for improvement in energy efficiency. Furthermore, the committee will analyse utility usage patterns to develop strategies for conservation.

In addition to monitoring energy consumption within buildings, the committee will oversee the usage of fuel across institutional facilities such as vehicles, generators, tankers, hostels, and staff quarters.

Meanwhile, lDr. Lasisi emphasised the importance of the committee’s role in optimising energy usage, highlighting its potential to reduce operational costs while promoting environmentally responsible practices. The committee is expected to commence its duties immediately, contributing to the Polytechnic’s ongoing efforts towards energy efficiency and sustainability.

This Committee is also saddled with the responsibility of fast-tracking partnership with the State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Solar Power use and Management and recommending from time to time measures to assist the Institution on energy matters and advise the Authority on any other related matters.

The Acting Rector, Dr. Taiwo Abideen Lasisi, disclosed that the members of the Committee were carefully chosen with the expectation that they would execute the assignment given excellently.

In his remark, the Chairman of the Committee, Engr. Ayobami Olatunde FAWOLE assured the Acting Rector and Management of the Institution that the assignment will be diligently executed.

Members of the Committee are Engr. Ayeni Micheal Oluwafemi, Engr. Adegbayo Oluwaseun Olaide, Mrs Abiola Susan Tomilola, Mr Afolabi Adeshina Mutiu and Mr Adeyemo Sulaimon Aderibigbe.

Other members are:  Mrs Kosoko Caroline Temitope, Engr. Durojaye Adeyemi Job, Mr Adigun Ajetola Folorunsho, Mr Lasisi Afeez Dare and Mr Adelabu Adeola Adetayo who is the Committee’s Secretary.