…As institution admits first set of students
From Idu Jude Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has again underscored the urgent need for Nigerian youths to take advantage of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative offered by the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) on Nigerian soil.
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, gave the advice over the weekend in Abuja, while performing the take-over ceremony of the completed first phase of the Transport University, Daura, Katsina State.
Recall that the first and second phases of the university approved in 2020 cost $50 million and were being built as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility in Nigeria.
Senator Said Alkali remarked that the project is among other numerous Chinese CSR initiatives in Nigeria targeted at improvements of Nigerian youths at various academic levels.
In addition to the giant stride, the Minister revealed that CCECC has completed the Kajola Ogun state locomotive spare parts assemble ground, meant to help solve the need for second-hand value for the rolling stocks.
“This company has also sponsored over 200 Nigerian youths at various Chinese universities to study railway engineering among those already working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The company also made donations of vaccines worth millions of naira during the COVID-19 pandemic all as part of its corporate social responsibility,” the minister said.
While emphasizing the uniqueness of the Federal University of Transportation Daura, he observed it is standard in structure and met certification requirements by the National Universities Commission NUC, which attracted the enactment of the Establishment Act of number 34 of the year 2020.
“We, therefore, commend the CCECC for undertaking the education development in Nigeria seriously and further the initiative to hand over the University to the Federal Ministry of Transportation for operations and management.
“I wish also to commend the pioneer Vice Chancellor, Professor Umaru Adam Katsayal, for working with the CCECC to conclude phase 1 of the project and to facilitate the handing over process within seven months. During my first inspection in October 2023, shortly after my assumption of office as Minister of Transportation, the University had only a Vice-Chancellor, without principal and support staff, and without other necessary logistics required to facilitate its take-off.
“Barely seven months from October 2023, the ministry under my stewardship facilitated the release of funds to CCECC from capital allocation of phase 1 of the project, we sourced approval of take-off and processing of relevant documents from the NUC. We liaised with the Federal Ministry of information, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Also, there was effort to secure TETFUND registration and the registration with JAMB through the Federal Ministry of Education.
As a result of this intervention, and personal contact with relevant ministries, the University has commenced academic activities for the 2023/24 session. The principal officers and full support staff were fully appointed and approval for take-off by TETFUND and NUC was granted. The recruitment of support staff was also granted as the University has graciously been placed on the National budget by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate the realization of his renewed hope agenda being the role of transportation as an enabler for economic growth”.
Chairman of the Chinese Civil Engineering Company, CCECC Mr. Jason Zhang, remarked during the ceremony that it is the resolve of the Company that the University will become a beacon of hope and progress to millions of Nigerian youths.
He vowed that the company would continue to perform its corporate social responsibility and deliver quality projects in Nigeria to justify its global dominance in civil engineering.
Mr. Jason reminded, us that the 1st and 2nd phases of the project worth $ 50 million, are the first of its kind on African soil with Nigeria setting the pace.
Also speaking, the chief host and Executive Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Umaru Dikko Radda, who was full of joy, admonished youths of his state to take advantage of the university, to improve their lives, stressing that the institution should be made to improve the lives of indigent students from the host community before extended such to other states.