By Ahmed Rahma
The sum of N1 billion has been donated to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, by the Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative.
The ASR Africa Initiative was floated by a Nigerian industrialist and philanthropist, Mr Abdul Samad Rabiu, who is the Chairman of BUA Group, the parent company of BUA Cement Plc and others.
The N1 billion disbursed to the school is part of the yearly $100 million ASR Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal.
Recently, the ASR Africa Initiative for Education, Health and Social Development in Africa was launched and some schools were named as beneficiaries of the first cohort of the N1 billion intervention grant.
The institutions are the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Maiduguri; University of Ilorin; University of Ibadan, and the University of Benin.
Speaking at the ceremony in Zaria, Mr Rabiu, who was represented by Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, commended the Vice-Chancellor for promptly identifying the projects that needed intervention.
He said, “In view of this and starting immediately, we intend to be on the ground to commence the project. We are hoping the other five universities can also quickly identify such projects with our team to fast-track the project initiation.”
“It is our belief at the ASR Africa Initiative that this support will go a long way in bridging the infrastructure deficit in education within Nigeria and other African Countries in our cohort. We are excited about the endless possibilities that lie ahead of Africa and because The Time for Nigeria and Africa is now, and business development is nothing without citizens’ development.”
“On behalf of the ASR Africa Initiative, we look forward to commencing the work to build for the benefit of Africa’s children and her future”. Mr Rabiu added.
Modupe Gbadeyanka