TETfund commissions over N3bn iconic projects in UNIOSUN
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) has commissioned Osun State University, (UNIOSUN) Senate Building other three iconic projects worth over three billion naira.
The Chairman, TETfund board of trustees, RT. Hon. Aminu Masari commissioning the iconic TETFund-sponsored projects executed by the Osun State University, Osogbo, as part of the activities marking its 15th Convocation/Graduation ceremonies held on Wednesday.
Masari reiterated commitment of the agency to support all public institutions towards achieving world class status as they perform their role in educating and equipping knowledge seekers of all ages.
He urged the management of the University to maintain focus in ensure that no stone is left unturned in becoming a strong global player, where Nigerians and foreigners will find the institution a citadel to select as their university of choice.
He charged them to ensure that those facilities are properly maintained and protected.
According to him, "We are resolved as an agency of the Federal Government to keep pace with current advancements and are making significant efforts to ensure that our beneficiary institutions are up to date, through support to acquire relevant tools of work for knowledge creation, learning, research and supporting entrepreneurship and skills development.
"As a Fund, we will never relent at ensuring that we support our public institutions towards achieving world class status as they perform their role in educating and equipping knowledge seekers of all ages.
"I am pleased to observe that Osun State University is asserting itself in the South-West region of the country and its reputation for imparting relevant knowledge is rising.
"We are assembled here today for the commissioning of Four (4) iconic projects sponsored by TETFund, whose total cost is N3,822,542,676.40. You may wish to know also that from the start of TETFund interventions to this university shortly after its enlistment in 2006, the Fund has allocated a total of N14,107,175,623.11, out of which a total of N10,554,366,446.14 have been accessed, leaving a balance of N3,552,809,176.97, most of which are already committed.
"Let me remark here that these projects were not delivered without the usual hiccups associated with price fluctuations caused by the volatility in our economy," he said.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of WAZLAT Engineering Limited, Engineer Ismail Adigun who constructed the iconic Senate Building explained that the project commenced under the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola.
He explained that “the Senate Building comprises a 500-capacity relaxation centre, 58 offices and one large store on the ground floor; 32 offices, 2 conference rooms, 250 capacity pavilion Senate chamber on the first floor; and 150 capacity Council Chamber, 12 executive offices, 2 executive conference rooms on the second floor and an attic that comprises all offices in the Vice-Chancellory, including the Vice-Chancellor Office and Council Office. The building comes with all associated external works, full furnishing, two elevators, and an electricity generating plant.”
However, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Adebooye said the other projects to be commissioned in Faculty of Computing and Information Science, 500 Capacity Auditorium and Twin Lecture Theatre.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono who delivered the 15th Convocation lecture, titled ‘Digital Transformation in Higher Education: Building Skills in Graduates For Global Competitiveness’, called for redesigning curricula, strengthening faculty capacity, investing in infrastructure and leverage on platforms like TETFund to equip graduates with essential digital skills.