AWKA—GOVERNOR Peter Obi of Anambra State has said his administration was looking for special sources for the proper funding of the state university to make it a model in Africa.

The governor, who spoke at the 3rd convocation of the university in Uli, said his administration was committed to leaving a lasting legacy for the institution, adding that though there was scarcity of funds, everything humanly possible would be done to enable the university meet its obligations.

He explained that infrastructural development had begun at the Igbariam campus of the university, which masterplan had been prepared, while the Uli campus had continued to witness steady development.

Obi reminded Nigerians that efforts to improve the ranking of Nigerian universities should not be left for governments alone, calling on individuals and corporate organisations to invest in education in the interest of the future generations of Nigerians.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Fidelis Okafor, said the university had been making the much needed progress, adding that necessary facilities for teaching, learning and research were steadily being provided.

According to him, despite limitations in available resources, and the six –month old strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the university has continued to forge ahead.

He however identified inadequate funding as the greatest problem facing the university, adding that although there had been remarkable improvements in government’s subvention in recent times, better staff remuneration and increases in the internally generated revenue arising from increase in students’ fees, the institution was not yet out of the woods as there still exists a yawning gap between the budgeted overhead and capital expenditure and the actual revenue generated from all sources.

He also observed that abandoned projects dot the two campuses of the university, noting that if such projects were completed, the problem of accommodation in the university would be greatly solved.