The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, praised the University of Benin’s (UNIBEN) proposed N100 billion Trust Development Fund.
He commended the initiative during a visit from a university delegation, which briefed him on the upcoming launch and invited him to attend the event.
According to a statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, the delegation included the Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Umaru Shuaibu; the Chairman of the UNIBEN Trust Development Fund (UNIBEN-TDF), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.
The minister also praised the university management for establishing the trust fund, describing it as a bold and commendable effort.
He requested that invitations be extended to other pro-chancellors and vice-chancellors nationwide to witness the launch.
Alausa thanked the delegation and pledged to attend the event.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu, who chairs the trustees, explained that the initiative was in response to the minister’s earlier challenge to vice-chancellors to mobilize alumni and stakeholders to support the sustainable development of universities.
“The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Omoregie, took on the challenge to mobilize alumni and stakeholders for their university’s development,” he said.
Prof. Shuaibu, on behalf of the university’s Governing Council, appreciated the minister’s efforts to transform Nigeria’s education sector and expressed that the project has the Council’s full support.
“Your presence will greatly boost this initiative,” he added.
