By Ahmed Rahma
An educational foundation, Teacher Essien Ita Ita Educational Foundation (TEIIEF), has donated N2 million to the University of Calabar (UNICAL) to fix the potholes in the institution.
The foundation, which presented the institution with the cheque during the weekend, said it was part of the activities to mark the second year remembrance of the demise of Mrs Temitope Ekpenyong Ita, wife of Mr Ekpenyong Ita, a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and son of the late teacher, Esien Ita, who died March 13, 2019.
The cheque was given to the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mr Gersh Henshaw, said the organisation was poised to contribute its quota towards the development of the institution hence the donation, which he said is meant for fixing potholes in the school to ease movement of vehicles on campus.
According to him, the foundation, a non-profit organisation, was set up for such purposes, adding that under the trust fund, scholarships would also be offered to indigent students in tertiary institutions.
He further said the foundation was looking forward to exploring other areas of partnership with the institution for mutual benefits.
He expressed confidence in the ability of Prof. Obi to turn the tide for the good of the institution and urged her not to hesitate to call on the Foundation whenever the need arises.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor thanked the organisation for the kind gesture and assured that the money would be put to good use.
Proif Obi described Ekpenyong Ita, who is also an alumni of UNICAL and son of the late legendary teacher, as a “dependable friend” of the institution adding that posterity will be kind to him for his philanthropic gesture towards the institution and the society at large.
Modupe Gbadeyanka