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Tag: plan

  • Buhari for U.K. with10-point anti-graft plan

    Buhari for U.K. with10-point anti-graft plan

    Rough times are on the way for looters, with President Muhammadu Buhari stepping up the anti-corruption battle.

    The President will soon send a list of corruption convicts and suspects on trial to the United Kingdom and many other countries.

    Besides, he has sent a bill to the National Assembly on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, which will encourage collaboration with other nations.

    Two other bills on Proceeds of Crime and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre will soon be sent to the National Assembly.

    The President has proposed to lift the veil on corporate ownerships to disclose the true owners of a corporate vehicle in contract bids and procurement.

    These new anti-graft measures are contained in the President’s roadmap for the  summit of world leaders in London on Thursday.

    The perspectives of the President were released last night in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

    It also contains 10 new anti-graft reforms. They are:

    • greater fiscal transparency and and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws in the oil sector;
    • improvement of anti-corruption laws;
    • stringent measures against corruption in corporate governance;
    • enactment of Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2016;
    • restriction of the ability of those who have looted public funds from traveling and investing the proceeds of their corruption in developed countries;
    • developing list of those who have been convicted as well as those already prosecuted in Nigerian courts and sharing same with other countries; and
    • contracts within a certain threshold will be published and those behind the companies bidding for the contract to  be listed for public scrutiny both at national and state levels.

    Officers working in budget offices and those responsible for approving public spending may henceforth  be properly scrutinized, monitored and required to declare their assets regularly. New bills on Proceeds of Crime  and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre  for the National Assembly soon

    New regulation that will authorize the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) to obtain information on beneficial ownership of foreign companies is also in the works.

    The perspectives read in part: “A major issue of interest to this government and a few others is on greater transparency in the extractive industry (oil, gas and solid mineral sectors).

    “The U.K. Government and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, have identified 20 per cent of international corruption and bribery as coming from this sector.

    “Nigeria will argue for greater fiscal transparency and and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws to deal with the problem.

    “The President is expected to give assurances that a lot of work will be done  on a set of laws that will improve enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Nigeria has already begun reviewing its anti-corruption laws enacted since 2000 to bring it in compliance with international developments.

    “In addition, the country, which has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is currently reviewing the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention for possible ratification. The OECD convention is considered among the stringiest of measures against corruption in corporate governance.

    “The government of President Buhari has also forwarded the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2016 to the National Assembly in Nigeria for enactment into law.

    “When it is passed, it will enhance mutual assistance and  international cooperation between Nigeria and other countries.

    “The President will also announce that a new Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre Bill has been drafted for this purpose and would soon be forwarded to the National Assembly.

    “The Nigerian government will also indicate support for the UK proposal on the development of the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre. This is to be based in London and will serve as a global forum.

    “As part of this country’s contributions to the evolution of the global anti-corruption infrastructure, Nigeria will seek support for the hosting of an ‘International Summit on Assets Recovery’ in 2017 in Abuja and for the establishment and hosting of a ‘Forum on Assets Recovery in Africa’ to be based in Abuja.”

    The document said the Federal Goverment will also circulate the list of those convicted for corruption and those prosecuted in courts to willing nations.

    It added: “The country will also seek the support of the UK government for the establishment of an anti-corruption coordination framework at the national level.

    Nigeria will be fully embracing  UK proposals for the summit on the restriction of the ability of those who have looted public funds from travelling and investing the proceeds of their corruption in developed countries.

    “ To this end, the Nigerian government will develop its list of those who have been convicted as well as those already prosecuted in Nigerian courts for grand corruption for the purpose of sharing them with countries that are interested in offering bilateral or multilateral cooperation to Nigeria in the recovery of looted funds.

    “The Nigerian government is also signaling an early support for the UK proposals on assets recovery which prescribes measures substantially in tandem with a new Proceeds of Crime Bill being drafted and would soon been forwarded by President Buhari to the National Assembly for passage into law.

    “In addition to the political spotlighting of corruption, the coming together of world leaders is a sign of hope that countries like Nigeria with systems that are lax and compromised can gain from the experience of others in improving their regulatory mechanisms as quickly as possible.

    “This trip is important for both Nigeria and the international community, which reposes a lot of hope on Muhammadu Buhari, who is faced with the daunting task of reversing the the socio-economic and political mess in which the previous administration left the country.”

    The document gave insights into Buhari’s plans to transform corporate governance and endure transparency in contract system.

    It said: “As his own contribution, the President has substantially aligned himself with major initiatives enunciated by the convener, Prime Minister David Cameron that seek to increase transparency and governance in several key areas.

    “He has formulated a Nigerian position on how to end impunity for corruption and ensuring that those involved in grand corruption are brought to justice through the active enforcement of laws and restrictions.

    “Equally in agreement with Cameron, he is making suggestions on ways of empowering those affected by corruption by ensuring that its proceeds are returned to those from whom they have been stolen.”

    President Buhari will also join the world leaders in designing a global architecture and tools that can be used to by international organizations,countries and national  institutions to fight corruption.

    “In an outline by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), specific areas of interest to Nigeria which the President will put on the tables include the development of beneficial ownership information related to corporate ownership, procurement, and public contract.

    “By this, Nigeria will seek the lifting of the veil on corporate ownerships in order to disclose the true owners of a corporate vehicle in contract bids and procurement processes. Beyond this, the corporate ownership profile may be shared with other countries or interested stakeholders.

    “Already, there is a broad view among the participants that public contracting is a source of public corruption and must be tackled as such. Our officials recommend that contracts within a certain threshold should be published and those behind the companies bidding for the contract should be listed for public scrutiny both at national and state levels.

    “To achieve this, Nigeria plans the enactment of a regulation that will authorise the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to obtain information on beneficial ownership of foreign companies that can be held in a different database to be managed by the CAC in Nigeria.

    “Nigeria will be demanding the strengthening of the supervisory responsibilities of financial and non-financial services regulators and provision of specific training on compliance requirements for these sectors and will seek the establishment of an inter-agency collaboration as a key element in improving the implementation of Financial Action Task Force, FATF standards (such as the money laundering laws, anti-corruption laws, and Financial Intelligence Center Bill).

    “As part of measures to enhance fiscal transparency, which is required in enhancing economic growth, improved GDP and poverty reduction, officers working in budget offices as well as those responsible for approving public spending may henceforth  be properly scrutinized, monitored and required to declare assets on a regular basis.

    “The Nigerian government has in fact set for itself the objective of signing the ‘Open Government Partnership and Open Contracting Partnership.”

  • My plan for Edo, by Irabor

    My plan for Edo, by Irabor

    Casely Omon-Irabor, a lawyer and human right activist, is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State. In this interview with Osagie Otabor, he explain

    Why did you choose to contest on the platform of the APC?

    The APC is a merger party of all progressives. I am a progressive. I contested for the Senate under the CPP in the last general election. I decided to contest now because there is a vacuum in leadership in Edo State and people are wondering how to get the best of leadership. We had thought as at 2008 and 2009, we are going to use Edo as an experimental state because we have an activist who is the comrade governor and we thought we had an Obama of Nigeria. In the first tenure, he tried a little, in the second tenure, there was nothing to write home about.

    Why do you work. you are the right person to provide the leadership?

    What motivated me is that I heard from God. I am not a conventional politician. I veered into politics because our mentor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, told us to step into governance. He said the time has come to revolutionise politics and for us to practice what we preach. I am in politics not because I want to be known. I am already well known all over the world. I am Under Secretary United Nations Human Rights. There is gap to be filled in Edo State. If you look around the state, there is no single Edo man that is happy. 90 percent of the people are suffering. People believe we can sit down and rely on allocation from Abuja. Our IGR is not known. We have enough resources to harness in this state. Edo state is bigger than many countries.

    What are your plans for the state?

    I will focus on agriculture. I have gone round the state and I know how to harness the resources. Every parts of the state will be harnessed. We will not leave Okpella limestone for Dangote alone. There are other things to get from limestone. There will be mechanized farming. I grew from suffering, lack and it propelled me to succeed. Go to Ugbegun, Igeuben where they grow yam. What they earn will not uplift them. I will give grants and not loans to farmers. Farmers in the state are underfed. Many of the farmers go to farm half naked. When I was contesting for the senate, in some villages, you see people looking like madmen. They are farmers in this 21st century. Can we not change their orientation? Can they not wear good clothes to the farm? We will lift farmers from suffering. I will refocus furniture making in the state and stop exporting our wood. I do not need to have billions to win the elections. If the governor like, let him give Godwin big money, Godwin cannot win elections in this state. He does not look like who wants to be a governor.

    Are you worried about your opponents especially when there is alleged preferred aspirant?

    Why is Oshiomhole afraid of who will succeed him. I will not look back and probe. I will match on. If I say I want to open books on Oshiomhole, what will I ask Igbinedion, Osunbor and the military men. I will not look back. I don’t have time to look into the past, I will look forward on how to grow Palm oil plantations. I will ensure we harness what we have.

    Do you have the cash to woo delegates?

    You will not see crowd here in my campaign office. When they come, they will be singing priases that I will not die but I told them not to kill themselves for me. I urged them to go and vote for me. They will praise you but if no money, they will say you are not prepared. Many of them are not delegates and they want me to give them money. Where do I get money to give them? There is no way I would be sincere in office if I gave all the money to win an election. You cannot see me giving delegates money. I am worth about N12m but I will not give anybody money. I am asking them to allow me show them the road so that they can see, they are asking for money. I am not going to bribe any delegate. I am aware of the rigging process already in place. All the party machinery are in the hands of Oshiomhole. They hold meetings everyday and Oshiomhole gives them money. If the expression of interest form and nomination forms is high than what they sold in other states, we will go to court. If on that day, we see how the election go, we will do certain things drastic. I have the means to some things. I want to use my power of connection to improve my state and not to destroy it. I want to improve on my state. I will not sponsor violence. Anything can happen and anybody can become governor.

    What about the nomination forms? At what price do you think it would be okay for you and other aspirants?

    From the level of the aspirant, I do not see any aspirant that cannot purchase the form. If they said the form is above the normal price, then there will be no primaries. Oshiomhole should do the right things. He should not do anything funny. There might be compromise and horse trading. I will not bow to anybody to get the party’s ticket. People bow down to a reigning king and not a coming one. I will not be coerced not to buy the nomination form then I would have betrayed all my supporters and confidants. What about God that woke me up and asked me to go and contest. He is behind me. He called me to go and contest the election.

    How did God tell you to contest?

    When I came out from detention in 2012 after I was arrested and humiliated in Delta State during the administration of Uduaghan, I became like a church rat. I had only one car left. I still remained functional and we were managing to feed and pay the children school fees. It was in that condition, I heard a voice calling me asking me to go and contest. I told my wife and she queried where I would get the money. After my wife confirmed it, I decided to contest the senatorial election. I didn’t want to join the PDP and the APC was a merger of strange bed fellows. I decided to contest under the CPP. People contributed money and we used it for logistics but I did not give bribe to anybody. I came out third. I had the credible and quality votes while they had quantity votes. We were talking of who would go to the Senate to make laws, they decided to choose a tailor and contractor over a vocal lawyer. Our people sent a contractor to the senate when they have an international lawyer because of money.

    s his mission in politics.

  • Kano iron dealers, council split over market master plan

    Business activities have been very low lately in Kofar Ruwa Iron and Rod Market, Kano State following the conflict between members of the iron dealers association (KRIRDA) and the authorities of Dala Local Government Council where the market is located.

    The Nation gathered that trouble started when the Dala Council chairman built more lock-up shops inside the market, a decision which did not augur well with traders in the over 45-year-old market which has been serving not only customers from the North but also businessmen and rod dealers from neighbouring countries like Niger, Chad, Sudan and Cameroon.

    KRIRDA  has called on Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to intervene in the dispute with Dala Local Government Area over plan to build additional shops in the already jam-packed rod market. Speaking to reporters on the issue, KRIRDA president, Chief Anayochukwu Ike described as improper, the unilateral decision of the Chairman, Dala Local Government Area to build lock-up shops in front of their shops.

    According to him, embarking on such a project will not only disorganise the entire market, but will also hinder access to trailers bringing in their goods to the market, stressing that the frontage of their shops remains the only space they display iron and rods.

    Chief Ike, who said members of his association pay all taxes and levies to the state and local government as at when due, lamented that erecting another structure within the market means getting them out of business.

    “If there are plans to relocate us, they should come out clear and explain to us. There is no way we can remain in this market with those structures there, unless they have decided to get us out of business; may be, because they don’t like our face. We have been in this market for a very long time. We have maintained cordial relationship with the authorities of Dala Local Government.

    “We have been generating revenue for the development of the Local Government and Kano state government. We now wonder why they want to stampede us out of business,” Chief stated.

    According to him, after exhausting all possible means of negotiation, “while they remained adamant, we went to Court and got an injunction restraining the Council authorities and their representatives from erecting any structure within the market, but immediately the injunction expired, they started digging holes in front of our shops.

    On Friday, 8 April, they came with Yandabas (area boys), armed with arrows and knives as they were digging foundation in front of our shops. That action generated unprecedented tension within the market and the entire state as many of us hurriedly locked our shops and ran for our dear life.”

    Chief Ike lamented that despite several appeals by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG)  in charge of Zone One, Dala Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Dan Isli  remained adamant and went ahead erecting illegal lockup shops in the market, blocking shops and offices.

    He, however, appealed to Governor Ganduje and other stakeholders, as well as opinion leaders in Kano state to intervene and stop the erection of more structures in Kofar Ruwa rod market, “because if they go ahead to build that shop, they have crippled our markets. “Besides, we all know the dangers inherent in jam-packed markets.

    We don’t sell Cray fish, what we sell are iron and rods, which are naturally packed in open space, now if you block that space, simply because you want to generate revenue, how and where do we then pack our goods; we are very much disturbed and therefore we are calling on Governor Ganduje to use his good office to save our business,” he appealed.

    Also speaking on the matter,  Chief Alphonsus Ubaneche, member, Board of Trustees (BoT), Kofar Ruwa Iron and Rod Dealers Association, (KRIRDA), whose office is located on the affected Alphamic line speaks on the need for Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other stakeholders to stop the chairman of Dala Local Council from altering the original master plan of Kofar Ruwa iron and rod market.

    His words: “I am deeply disturbed and surprised over what is happening. I keep on wondering why Dala Local Government chairman is taking this action. I have been in this Kofar Ruwa market since 1987, that is over 29 years; and I am aware that this market has existed for the past 35 years.

     

  • My plan for Edo, by Edebiri

    My plan for Edo, by Edebiri

    Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Chief Solomon Edebiri  has promised to transform the state through industrialisation.

    He said Edo will be transformed from a tax-reliant state to an economic hub, if elected as governor.

    Edebiri, who met indigenes of the state in London, attributed poverty, unemployment and under-development to over-reliance on tax and federal allocation.

    The aspirant said the key to industrialisation is the establishment of an export base in the Southsouth state..

    Edebiri said: “I have perfected my strategy of a one- local- government, one- crop -programme. This will serve as a base for the much desired industrialisation and commercialisation bid.

    “ I have also perfected plans to ensure that there is a constant electricity power supply in the state just as we intend to stimulate independent investors and industrialists by putting in place government owned cottage factories to serve basic purposes”

    He added:”Our state is quite endowed with various natural and a vibrant human resources. All the government needs to do is to have the right will and intent to ensure theexecution of policies that will translate these to progress.

    “My government will focus on reducing unemployment as a way of reducing crime and violence and make the state one of the most developed and  peaceful states in the country.”

  • Pensioners reject plan to spend N5.14tr funds on infrastsructure

    Pensioners have rejected Federal Government’s move to deploy part of the N5.14 trillion pension fund into development of infrastructure in the country.

    The pensioners, acting under the aegis of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) say they do not trust the government, adding that they cannot therefore entrust it with their future savings.

    Its National President, A. Afolayanin in a statement said though the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administartion could be trusted,  subsequent governments may not enjoy the pensioners’ trust.

    He said: “The attention of the national headquarters of our union has been drawn to a newspaper publication credited to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola that the government would use the N5.2 trillion contributory pension savings for infrastructural development.

  • We ’ve no plan to gag media, says Saraki

    We ’ve no plan to gag media, says Saraki

    •’Gender-based violence least prosecuted offence’ 

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has clarified his stance on alleged plans by the Senate to gag the social media.

    He said the public got the information wrong, saying, “there was nothing like anti-social media bill”.

    He emphasised that there was no intention at all to gag the media, adding that the Senate wanted to prevent frivolous petitions submitted to the Upper Chamber.

    The Senate President spoke  yesterday while opening a seminar, entitled: “Implementation of Guidelines on Gender-Based Violence and Young Persons”, organised by Women Arise in Abuja.

    Saraki said: “I want to reassure you, there is no bill called the anti-social media bill.”

    However, he stated that “what we have before us is the bill of frivolous petitions. Generally, when we debate at the second reading, we only debate principles of a bill, not details of a bill. Unfortunately, in the bill of frivolous petitions, there are things which I will call obnoxious sections; these sections would not see light of the day by the time the bill is finished.”

    He assured the public of openness and transparency, adding that “it was not our intention to gag any social media at all”.

    Speaking on gender-based violence, Saraki stated that it  is the least prosecuted offence in the country.

    He lamented that if the nation could stand as one to fight the scourge, it would soon become history.

    The senator said there was urgent need for serious advocacy against sexual assaults, especially among youths.

    Saraki stated that about 60 per cent of the nation’s population are predominantly youths, thus urgent need for concerted efforts to stop gender-based violence.

    “Truly if we want change in our society, this is the change we must all desire. We must all decide as a nation to stop gender based violence. Members of the Eight Senate would play its role to discourage gender based violence,” he added.

    Earlier, Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye called for increased advocacy against the violence.

    President, Women Arise Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin said the event was put together to disseminate guidelines on the violence through contacts with local responsible agencies, youth and youth serving organisations in the country.

    She stated that the non-governmental organisation was committed to protecting young persons who were vulnerable to the scourge.

  • My plan is to institute youth based government -Paseda

    My plan is to institute youth based government -Paseda

    Prince Rotimi Paseda, the governorship candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria in Ogun State, has said his vision in politics is to institute a youth based government. He made the statement in a brief chat where he also spoke of his experiences during the last general elections.

    As he puts it: “My plan is to institute a youth based government. I made my first million pounds in England as a very young man as a result of pure friendship when I was in Cardiff University on Ogun State scholarship. My parents couldn’t have been able to afford the trip to England if not for the benefit I got from Ogun State. Incidentally, most of our leaders at the helms of affairs benefited from all these government largesse and they are now shutting the doors against the youth of today, which is what we see in every state we turn to. I had a friend in the university that was wayward and not ready to read and get serious in life, and his father was a multi-millionaire then and the father noticed the affinity between his son and me and started using me to correct his son. At a time, I was practically living in their house as one of his children, with full benefit of being his kid. He made sure his son and I hung out every time except during lectures and on a particular day he went to an auction because he was an estate auctioneer and bought us one house each for speculation at the price of a million pound and taught us the art of speculation and ever since then I have not looked back in business and every time I go back to him for advise here and there and to the glory of God his son today is a better man in business and personal life. Now tell me why I shouldn’t give back to the society, when the society made me?”

    On his experiences during the last elections, where he contested for the plum office of governor, Paseda said, “it is not strength or might that will sustain a man but the grace of God. So, when people asked who I am and my antecedence in politics, I tell them if a man will get there, he will with God on his side. So, spending money on election and different people seeing me as someone to extort is all a game to me as I am enjoying myself. For your information, I consider that episode as politics 101 for me and I have graduated a better person; the whole experience have not affected me a bit and have not changed me because I believe as an adult we all have free will to decide what to do and what not to do; so if you decide to do wrong, it’s your decision and if you decide otherwise, so, I have come out of the whole election a stronger person and with a stronger will to do more and go further.”

    The governorship candidate also commented on the attitude of Nigerian leaders, advising them to treat other Nigerians with greater civility while in office. “It is time we let our leaders know they are there to serve us and not the other way round. The other day we all saw the picture of our ex-president in London emerging from an Apple shop alone. That wouldn’t have been possible some 10 months ago, so nothing is permanent in life. So, treat others as you would want to be treated,” he told serving leaders.

  • Artists unveil plan for SPANfest 2015

    The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) has unveiled plans for the second edition of SPANfest which holds between November 7 and 22.

    The society while outlining activities for the festival tagged ‘Voice of The Voiceless’ said “SPANfest is a combination of workshops and ground breaking presentations with various mediums of the performing arts to achieve memorable breathtaking Music, Dance, Spoken Word, Visual art, Theatre and Comedy.”

    The first ten days is expected to be an intensive performing art workshop with international professors, followed by four performance nights to showcase diverse cultural heritage and a grand finale with 200 dancers, musicians and actors.

    According to the founder of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, “I have faith that SPANfest 2015 will also rekindle in our community a desire to invest in performing art education and performances to sustain a vibrant and healthy environment in our Lagos – the city we cherish. Only then will Lagosians live and experience the full potential for which they were created and find purpose as well as a sense of significance in their city.”

    Boulos, added that the festival will reveal an understanding and awareness of the historical diversity and cultural context of the people.

    Other activities lined up are the Movement in Moments, A Musical Adventure, Hear Word, Performing Arts Management and Motivational Talks, The Era (Era of Legends) and the Voice of the Voiceless – a performing art piece of music, dance and drama.

  • Ecobank unveils four-year agric financing plan

    Ecobank plans to grow its agricultural loan portfolio of N84 billion significantly in the next four years, in line with the Federal Government’s agenda.
    The Country Manager, Agriculture and Export Finance, Ecobank Nigeria, Abel Ajala, who made this known in Lagos, said the plan was part of the bank’s initiative to increase support to the sector.
    According to Ajala, the bank works with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Bank of Industry (BoI), using intervention funds and other schemes to avail credit facilities at concessionary interest rates and single digit interest rate for CBN/BoI intervention funds. Apart from the bank’s lending to agricultural sector, Ecobank has supported many stakeholders in the sector to obtain BoI loans and various CBN-support facilities for agriculture, such as Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS), Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) at a single digit interest rate.
    Ecobank has built a robust agriculture and export unit, staffed by professionals to ensure easy risk assessment of loans while adequately providing measures to guarantee that beneficiaries use the funds diligently and pay back as at when due
    He said Ecobank is supporting agriculture both in the production, including agricultural processing, distribution and other areas of the value chain, stressing that the sector is at the centre of transforming the economy.
    “It is part of our deliberate and strategic initiative to increase support to the Agric sector,’’ he said.

  • Dangote to develop Kano varsity’s agric master plan, says VC

    Dangote to develop Kano varsity’s agric master plan, says VC

    African richest man Alhaji Aliko Dangote is partnering Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, Kano, to develop its agricultural master plan.

    Its Vice Chancellor, Prof Shehu Alhaji Musa, made this known at a briefing on the 15th Anniversary of the university.

    He said Dangote, who is Pro-Chancellor of the university, is keen in seeing to the development of the university’s faculty.

    “The plan is in the pipeline and we have already started clearing way for the new project. When the master plan is achieved, it can cater for one million farmers. That will bring succour to our agriculture. We can also have reliable food security with its attending benefits,” Musa said.

    Dangote, who is president of Dangote Group of Companies, the VC added, pledged to also construct industrial borehole that could cater for 30,000 people.

    “Apart from these contributions, he pledged to give a support of N100million to the university to inject in other projects,” the VC said.

    “For your information, Alhaji  Dangote has promised to employ 15 professors for the university and promised to pay for their salary for four years. This will bring tremendous development for the state. Academically, this assistance will improve our institution and the state in general,’’ the VC added.

    Other contributions made to the  varsity by Dangote are the building of two 500-bedroom hostels for males and females, he said.

    The VC added that Dangote completed 12 new projects, handling 36 ongoing ones and four others four at tender stages.

    “Thirty one academic staff are sent for PhD programme – 22  abroad and nine within Nigeria. So far, we have nine Professors and 14 Readers as academic staff. We also have 49 Visiting Professors, “ he added.