The Alumni Association of the Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) has carried laid the foundation for a N400 million Alumni Centre on the institution’s campus in Calabar.
The Association also sunk a borehole close to the proposed centre for use by the students.
Speaking at the event, President of the Association and a member of the governing council of the school, Eyam Abeng, said the project was a fulfillment of one of their campaign promise.
He said: “We have to showcase to the students today that having been equipped and incubated by your alma mater, and as you go outside the four walls of the University, it is your responsibility to give back, so that those things you cannot enjoy as a student, let the upcoming generations enjoy them and that is the whole essence of life and humanity.
“The components of this project are a 5000-seater capacity auditorium: another 1000-seater auditorium; a 500-seater capacity ICT centre for the students; indoor and outdoor sport facilities; a large parking lot; a restaurant; and a 20-room guest house. There would also be free Wi-Fi to broadcast from the centre to the campus to ease learning and development for the students.
“This project would be completed as soon as possible. With the partnership we have secured today. Over the years we have been together. We still need support. The entire project cost is N400 million and we are breaking into two phases and taking one step at a time.”
Chairman of the Maikaya Development Foundation and a gubernatorial aspirant in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Muhammed Musa Maikayam, who carried out the groundbreaking exercise, said they would work hard to ensure the project was inaugurated as soon as possible.
Represented by the Director General of the Alhaji Musa Maikaya Campaign Organization, Mr Ibrahim Sabo, he said the foundation builds bridges across Nigeria to touch the lives of not just people from Nassarawa State, but the entire country.
“We are partners in progress. Whatever we can do to ensure the progress of this institution, we are going to do it,” he said.
President of the Student Union Government of the school, Mr Francis Osang, thanked the alumni for the gesture to make life easier for students. He also expressed appreciation to Maikaya for its support.
He urged students to make good use of the borehole provided and also take good care of it so it does not spoil.
Also in attendance was the immediate past president of the Alumni Association, Sir Mboto Mboto.