The Federal Government on Friday inaugurated six TETFund-sponsored projects worth N2.8 billion at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State.
Inaugurating the projects, Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the structures would enhance teaching, learning and improve academic standards at the university.
He News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that projects include conference rooms, social sciences faculty building, psychology department building, and laboratory/offices for the Faculty of Pharmacy.
Others are classrooms and an office block for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, departmental office block for the Faculty of Education (Professional Studies).
Mr Kalu, who was represented by Chinwe Nnabuife, a member representing Orumba North and South Federal Constituencies, commended TETFund for its efforts in developing public tertiary education in Nigeria.
“As a continuation of the TETFund intervention activities, I am pleased to note that the six projects were valued at N2,775,227,111.78.
“In addition to physical infrastructure and equipment support, TETFund has also sponsored 126 professors for PhDs. of this university in foreign and local institutions with a cost of N 1,328,493,656.00.
“Twenty-six masters lecturers in local and foreign institutions at a cost of N180,742,032.50; and 10 bench work teachers worth N51,802,260.00.
“One professor was sponsored for a post-doctorate at a cost of N8,200,000.00, while 416 staff members were sponsored for conferences locally and abroad at a cost of N315,722,010.20,” he said.
Kalu said the National Assembly would continue to work with the Executive to make educational institutions globally competitive for the economic and technological development of the country.
He congratulated the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University for the progress in the development of the institution.
Sonny Echono, executive secretary of TETFund, also spoke and said that the Fund’s interventions at the university began in 2009.
Echono said a total of N10,567,075,176.00 had so far been allocated for infrastructure-related interventions.
Echono, represented by Inene Erivwo, Director of Strategic Planning and Development, said about 87.33 per cent of the funds had already been accessed for the provision of necessary facilities at the university.
He assured that the Fund would continue to support the university’s drive towards creativity through significant research efforts and the provision of necessary infrastructure.
Earlier, Charles Esimone, Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, said the inauguration of the projects was part of activities marking the 17th convocation and graduation ceremony of the institution.
Mr Esimone, Professor, thanked TETFund and the project contractors for their efforts in ensuring the completion of the facilities.
(YAYA)