A state-of-the-art facility comprising of 25 equipped offices as well as 395 seating capacity Pen-On-Paper (POP) hall has been handed over to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) by the Obagaji Community, Agatu, Benue State.
The completed Obagaji Community Study Centre, an initiative of the illustrious son of the community and Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, was handed over to the management of the university on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony of the facility and ground breaking for the construction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hall of the centre, the TETFund Executive Secretary, stated that the completed facility was in a bid to bring education to the doorsteps of every citizen in line with NOUN’s mandate.
According to him, NOUN was resuscitated to provide seamless, flexible learning experience for Nigerians by the then former president Olusegun Obasanjo, in 2003.
He further implored the youths of the community to make use of the opportunity of tertiary education at their doorstep and upgrade themselves academically, while assuring the community that the centre will avail them with job and educational opportunities.
Echono also promised to fence the place, supply stand-by generator and air-conditioners to make the place exclusively suitable for academic activities.
Leading the team on facility tour, His Royal Highness (HRH), Och’Idoma V, appreciated NOUN management and commended TETFund for such a huge facility in the community.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Isaac Butswat, thanked the executive secretary for the first-class structure provided in the community, adding that the gesture will improve the community educationally and those around them.
Furthermore, Prof. Isaac Butswat member, Council Commitee on Oversight of NOUN capital Projects, thanked the VC for sparing good project for the university and the community.
The facility is a top-notch, he said, adding that “this will serve as a model to other community centres. I remain grateful to the Vice-Chancellor and pray that God will strengthen him to move the university forward in all ramification.”
Dignitaries that graced the ceremony include: HRH, Dr.. John Elaigwu Odogbo, Och’Idoma V, Arc. Sonny Echono, the VC, University of Health Sciences, Oturkpo, represented by Prof. Stephen Aba and NOUN’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), who led a 5-man delegation the university.
Also present were the Provost, College of Education, Oturkpo, Amb. Muhammed A. Mabdul (Nigeria’s immediate-past ambassador to Algeria), Prof. I.N Itodo, Vice-Chancellor, JOSTUM, TETFund’s Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rt Hon. Solomon Agidani, Archbishop of Agatu Diocese and other clergy men.
The occasion also witnessed massive turnout of indigenes of Obagaji community and its environs.
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