Poised For Greatness, UNIBEN Launches Development Fund As Regional Development Ministry, Others Pledge Hostel, Infrastructure

Momoh (m) flanked by Edoba (2nd left, Ize-Iyamu (3rd right, others at the ceremony 

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

From a firm commitment to the construction of students' hostels and other infrastructure worth billions of naira to cash donations, equally running into several millions, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) weekend kick-started its N100 billion Trust Development Fund (TDF).

The historic ceremony, which offered a perfect opportunity for nostalgic moments among old school friends, years after they graduated, was designed to among others mobilize sustainable financing for critical infrastructure, research, innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, academic excellence drive and other strategic project

Amidst fanfare, the successful launching attracted the creme de la creme of Nigerian society, mostly UNIBEN alumni, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders, who all came out in large number, to support the institution's long-term growth.

Besides, the event which was chaired by former Lagos State governor and alumnus, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, is also aimed at positioning the university among globally competitive institutions.

From donations, which ran into several millions of naira to pledges of projects worth billions of naira in support of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) infrastructure renewal, research development and academic excellence drive.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo commended the university for the initiative and reaffirmed the state government's commitment to supporting institutions that promote learning, research and

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yakubu Musa, Senator Okpebholo described the launch as an investment in the future, emphasizing that UNIBEN remained one of Nigeria's foremost public universities and a source of pride to all Edo people.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, noted that that the Trust Development Fund is a bold response to the funding challenges currently confronting tertiary education in Nigeria.

Buoyed by the initiative, Dr. Alausa,who was represented by Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, the vice-chancellor of the National University of Science and Technology, Abuja, added that it clearly demonstrated that Nigerian universities were embracing innovative funding models beyond government allocations.

The minister said that the future sustainability and global competitiveness of the nation's tertiary institutions will increasingly depend on stronger alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and private sector participation.

Sounding optimistic, he said that he was delighted that the school  answered the clarion call with remarkable courage and vision through the launch of the N100 billion Trust Development Fund.

Dr. Alausa added: "This bold initiative sends a powerful message that Nigerian universities are prepared to take leadership and embrace innovative models of institutional development."

He passionately pleaded with alumni, corporate organisations, philanthropists and development partners to contribute generously, noting that every donation represented an investment, he insisted is in the future of the nation.

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who took a degree in Chemical Engineering from the institution, said the future of higher education in Nigeria required stronger collaboration between government, alumni and the private sector.

Echoing his counterpart in the Education Ministry, Engr. Momoh urged alumni and corporate organisations to support the initiative, describing investments in universities as investments in research, innovation and national development.

The minister, who pledged the building of a large students' hostel by the Ministry of Regional Development said that he came all the way with engineers and other relevant professionals from Abuja, in order to fast track the commencement of construction work.

He declared: "The future of higher education in Nigeria cannot be left to government alone. It has to be a shared responsibility."

For Mr. Fashola, the launch is a defining moment in the university's history, saying that it was time for alumni to take responsibility for preserving the institution's legacy.

Continuing, the ex-governor said that the founders have kept the faithfully but was up to the alumni to now take responsibility, adding:

"This fundraising is our contribution towards ensuring that the mission of the founders endures. If this university gave you a good spouse, dig very deep."

The immediate past minister of Works said that support for the initiative had begun even before the event, noting that an alumna donated N10 million on Saturday morning ahead of the ceremony..

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, explained that the Development Fund was set up to provide accelerated and sustainable development for the institution as increasing enrolment continued to overstretch existing facilities.

While assuring of judicious use of the funds, Prof. Edoba  stressing that government funding alone can no longer meet the growing needs of public universities.

The vice chancellor stressed: "The N100 billion target may appear ambitious, but when we consider the importance of the projects to be executed, it becomes a shared responsibility for stakeholders and friends of the university to contribute.

"We have produced over 350,000 graduates. If just 250,000 of them donate N100,000 each, we would realize N25 billion, which is already a quarter of our target."

He assured: "I assure you that every single kobo entrusted to this fund will be properly accounted for and transparently utilized."0

The chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Trust Development Fund, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, said the launch was  more than a fundraising exercise as it represented a defining moment in the history of the school.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu declared: "The N100 billion mega launch is a declaration of confidence in the university's future and our collective determination to pursue excellence without compromise."

The former governorship candidate assured contributors that the fund would be managed with the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity.

Present at the occasion were Dr. Goodie Ibru; chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr. Chiedu Ebie; former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Austin Alegeh; former Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Charles Edosonmwan; chairman of Precious Palm Royal Hotel, Benin , Mr. Jude Nosagie; and a host of others.