Business a.m.

Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the philanthropic arm of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has commenced the construction of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Integrated Publishing House, a project valued at N280 million, for Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.

The Abdul Samad Rabiu integrated publishing house is set to be a transformative project for Babcock University, taking the university’s basic press capabilities to new heights by providing a modern, integrated publishing house that encompasses various services. The facility, which will be a one-storey building, will serve multiple functions, serving as a laboratory and studio for students studying communications, media studies, and other related disciplines, while also providing support for other departments within the university. 

The groundbreaking ceremony for the project was attended by Ademola S. Tayo, the vice chancellor of Babcock University, who expressed his gratitude to ASR Africa for selecting the university as a recipient of the Tertiary Education Grant Scheme. The vice chancellor added that the university’s Mass Communications department will benefit tremendously from the project, raising its stature to a new level.  

The vice chancellor further stated that the  university’s vision is to produce young men and women capable of critical thinking, and problem-solvers capable of proffering innovative solutions to problems of everyday life, be it social, political, and cultural.

On his part, Ubon Udoh, managing director of ASR Africa, voiced his enthusiasm for Babcock University’s decision to establish an integrated publishing house. Udoh  highlighted that the dissemination and utilisation of information is vital to human progress and development. He also stressed that when people have access to and can utilise information appropriately, society can liberate itself from various constraints and reach its full potential. 

Udoh, speaking on behalf of Abdul Samad Rabiu, ASR Africa’s chairman,reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria. He implored Babcock University to prioritise the long-term sustainability of the project, emphasising its significance in providing students with the skills and resources they need to excel. Udoh also stressed the importance of strong collaboration and cooperation between the university and the project’s contractors. This partnership, he believes, would be instrumental in ensuring the timely and efficient completion of the publishing house.