By Correspondent in Lokoja
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (tetfund) on Tuesday, promised support for the newly established Confluence University of Science and Technology ((CUSTECH), Osara in Kogi, as soon as the university is enlisted by the board.
Dr Suleiman Zangina, gave the promise when he led a team from tetfund, Abuja on an inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation project work at CUSTECH permanent site in Osara, Adavi Local Government Area of the State.
The tetfund team was conducted round the facilities at the university campus by Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Wemi Jones, accompanied by the CUSTECH’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Salawu Sadiku, and other stakeholders.
Zangina noted that the university had formally applied to TETFUND for enlistment as a beneficiary of the fund.
According to him,, the management considers it fit that “we should come for visitation because it is part of the process.”
He explained that before any institution could be a beneficiary of the fund, it must be formally enlisted by the board.
”We have come, we have gone round and we have seen that the university has inherited some structures from the Kogi State Polytechnic.
”In addition, the State is putting some values to those structures; massive renovation work is ongoing, and I think, so far so good, the university is on the fast lane”, he said.
He stressed that the tetfund’s visit was a prerequisite for the enlistment of the university, saying that it could not be enlisted without the visit.
He added that after the visit, a recommendation would be made to the management, regarding the university which would be considered for approval by the board.
”When the board gives approval, a formal letter will be issued to the university for enlistment and we are hoping it will not take time,”he said.
In his remarks,Jones commended the team for the visit, saying that it was a dream come through for the state.
Jones stressed that as a state, Governor Yahaya Bello had put in his best for the university to commence but there was a need for external supports, especially from tetfund.
”We all know the role of tetfund as far as tertiary institutions’ support is concerned, and we are very grateful and excited that tetfund team has visited us so early. It shows that God is with us in this project.
”With the assurances we have got from tetfund team today, I am sure that by God’s grace, CUSTECH would be enlisted by tetfund very soon”, Jones said..
The Commissioner expressed optimism that very soon, CUSTECH would begin to enjoy massive intervention and support from tetfund.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the new installation, Prof. Salawu Sadiku, noted that the early visit of tetfund team to the university showed that the relationship between the board and CUSTECH was very cordial.
”We are looking forward to getting support from tetfund for the development of the university.
”For tetfund to even be here as early as this time shows that the relationship between it and CUSTECH is really cordial, and I am very happy for that,” Sadiku said.
He reiterated that the management of the university had a marching order from Governor Bello to commence the academic activities at the university by the end of February.
”We are working assiduously to achieve that order because we don’t want to fail His Excellency, the state and the nation”, Sadiku said.