Business a.m.
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has commenced the construction of a state-of-the-art N250 million office block for the Abdul Samad Rabiu College of Health Sciences at Usmanu Danfodiyo University. The milestone project, funded by Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group and founder of ASR Africa, is part of the philanthropic initiative’s commitment to investing in educational infrastructure and providing quality education across the continent
The construction of the office block was kicked off with the groundbreaking ceremony which was held within the institution’s premises. The project, which is a one-storey facility, will comprise 20 staff offices, the office of the departmental head, a panel room, staff convenience as well as storage spaces. This became necessary following the expansion of the College facilities comprising five faculties and a school of medical laboratory sciences with various departments spread across the faculties and the school.
Speaking at the event,L. S. Bilbis, the vice chancellor of the University, welcomed the ASR Africa team with profound gratitude and expressed satisfaction with the level of support received so far from Abdul Samad Rabiu, the chairman of ASR Africa, and the BUA Group. Bilbis noted that the project, upon completion, will accommodate its growing academic programs and students and that the choice of the project was in response to this pressing expansion need.
Ubon Udoh, the managing director of ASR Africa, appreciated the university’s outstanding performance in health and medical sciences. He reiterated the commitment of the ASR Africa chairman to support quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria. He urged the institution to focus on the sustainability of this noble project and provide the necessary support to the construction team for the speedy completion and delivery of the project.
ASR Africa is currently undertaking several health and educational interventions in Sokoto State for N2.5 billion. These include the construction of the ASR Africa Administrative building for the College of Health Technology, Gwadabawa; administrative building and school clinic for the School of Nursing,Tambuwal; and two units of faculty buildings, One unit of administrative building; one unit of hostel and a complete water scheme at the Sokoto State University College of Medical Sciences.
