Business a.m.
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the charitable arm of Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, has taken a major stride towards advancing the sporting infrastructure of the University of Jos as it commences the construction of a N250 million sports complex.
The University of Jos’ Naraguta Campus is set for a major transformation as the ASR Africa-funded N250 million sports complex takes shape, with a focus on enhancing the institution’s capacity to host the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) tournaments. The facility will feature a 300-seater spectator stand, changing rooms, a lawn tennis court, and a basketball court.
Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Tanko Ishaya,the vice chancellor of the university, commended Rabiu for the critical facility intervention of ASR Africa. He mentioned that at the time of the institution’s nomination by ASR Africa for this laudable project, the university management was concerned about sourcing funds to meet up with its nomination as the host university for the NUGA games. He added that with the ASR Africa TEGS grant, the university is positioned to host more games
during the tournament.
The vice-chancellor noted further that the university signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Sports University in South Korea to develop a comprehensive sports programme to harness the talents that abound across the country in the various fields of sports and this complex would be a business boost to implement the agreement.
In his remarks, Ubon Udoh, the managing director of ASR Africa, applauded the management of the University of Jos for being an outstanding institution. He added that all of the universities that are beneficiaries of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGS), were selected based on some stringent criteria which include the quality of leadership, and the academic excellence at the University, amongst others.
Udoh assured the university of the speedy completion of the project ahead of NUGA games and
reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, in supporting the education sector in Nigeria and Africa as a whole by providing indigenous solutions.
