The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) building, and a Student Affairs Building at the University of Benin, Edo State in fulfillment of the N1billion tertiary infrastructure grant awarded to the university in July 2021 as part of ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme drawn from ASR Africa’s $100million Fund for Social Development and Renewal.
ASR Africa is the brainchild of Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
Performing the groundbreaking ceremony at the Ugbowo campus of the institution, Managing Director of ASR Africa, Ubon Udoh, applauded the management of the school for its prompt response in identifying projects within the ASR Africa project assessment and mutual accountability framework and committing to ensuring its take-off.
Udoh added that Abdul Samad Rabiu, through the ASR Africa Initiative, is committed to giving back to society and bridging developmental gaps in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ubon said: “The Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative was founded by Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group to tackle urgent development needs in key areas within Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Since our inauguration in 2021, ASR Africa has invested massively in sustainable education, health, and infrastructure development projects across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Last year, we were here to announce the award of a N1billion infrastructure grant and today we are here to begin construction. We are grateful to the management of the University for quickly identifying its needs and working with our team toward the takeoff of these projects.
These projects are key to the university community and we are committed to ensuring that they are completed in the shortest possible time so they can be put to adequate use for the benefit of the student community, and society in general.”
Reacting, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Lilian Salami, thanked ASR Africa and its chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for its commitment to the project and the goodwill demonstrated towards her administration and the students of the university.
The VC said the projects will enable the university to be more functional, improve the outlook of the institution, and groom students to be more useful to society.