Fed Govt releases N2bn each to new varsities

Dutsinma (Katsina State) – The Federal Government has released N2 billion to each of the new Federal Universities in the country to hasten completion of necessary projects.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, said this on Friday when she paid an inspection visit to the temporary site of the Federal University, Dutsinma in Katsina State.

She said that President Goodluck Jonathan was delighted on the level of work done in all the new universities, adding that the money was to ensure that necessary infrastructure was put in place to commence academic activities.

Rufa’i, who went round the university, said though the project had reached advanced stage, some minor works needed to be done before the commencement of academic activities.

She said the establishment of more universities in the country was part of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing access to qualitative education to Nigerians.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof James Ayatse, told the minister that the university had 131 academic staff and 61 non-academic staff.

Ayatse said the university had so far admitted 432 pioneer students to read different courses.

Some of the facilities inspected by the minister were the Information and Computer Technology centre, library, laboratories, lecture rooms, and students’ hostels, among others.

The District Head of Dutsinma, Alhaji Sada Muhammad, commended the federal government for establishing the university in the area.

He said the institution would enhance socio-economic activities in Dutsinma and the state in general. (NAN)