By Moses Mbaiorga
The member representing Gwer/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Hon. Asema Achado has donated ten million naira to upset fees of Indigent students of University of Mkar, Mkar, UMM.
Architect Asema Achado made the donation yesterday at the 12th – 15th Combined Convocation ceremony of the University.
Hon Achado was conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree (Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa) during the convocation alongside three others.
He said the N10 million naira was to help indigent students and graduates who are unable to pay their school fees or are yet to collect their certificates due to financial constraints in the last ten years to offset them.
The lawmaker who is an architectural guru and is widely known for his philanthropy promised to increase the gesture in the future.
He expressed satisfaction for the rapid growth and academics standards at UMM and commended the University Governing Council for the honour done him even as he assured them of sustained support to the school.
“I have watched the university of Mkar grow from its establishing stage to this point. And I am pleased with the level of development and strides taken to enhance its growth”, Achado said.
On his part, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives who was represented by, Hon Ahmed Saba, member representing Edu/Moro/Pategi Federal Constituency in Kwara state, promised to include UMM amongst institutions that would benefit from National Assembly’s projects in 2024.
He said the House hierarchy will work out modalities aimed at bringing a motion that would ensure that the law establishing TETfund is repealed to accommodate private higher institutions of learning.
Conferring the Doctorate Degree on Hon. Arc. Achado, the University Chancellor, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, on behalf of the University Council said, the recognition was in appreciation of Hon. Achado’s personal achievements and philanthropy.
“The conferment is indeed, a befitting jewel for all he is known to stand for”, he said.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Zacharys Anger Gundu had earlier called for intervention programmes of the federal government to include private universities in the country.
“Instead of merely allocating huge resources to public universities, TETfund resources should be competed for by all universities-public and private in Nigeria”.
“This will reduce abuse in the process and ensure that those who get TETfund intervention get it on merit and not just because they are a public institution”.
This will require a review of the law setting up TETfund and the willingness of the stakeholders to accept competition and the fact that private universities ought to also benefit from TETfund”, Prof. Gundu appealed.
Also appreciating the university for the honour done to Hon. Arc. Achado, a former Chairman of Gwer local government, Hon. Gabriel Kwaghshir said, “the conferment of the Doctorate Degree on Achado was most appropriate”.
“Hon. Arc. Asema Achado has a track record of personal achievements and philanthropic deeds. I am personally grateful to the University for giving recognition to the Gwer/Gwer-West National Assembly Member, he deserves it”, said Hon. Kwaghshir.
