UniJos Alumni commences project construction in the University

UniJos Alumni commence project construction in the University

Inadequate infrastructural facilities and near absence of educational as well as learning materials due to poor funding have been identified as major challenges confronting Tertiary Education in Nigeria today. This has led to the creation of a demotivated Staff population and an apathetic Students body which has become pervasive across the Country.  

Stakeholders in the Tertiary Education system are now indicating more interest in undertaking projects aimed at ameliorating the situation by helping to provide quality education to the teeming Nigerian youths.

Among such stakeholders is the University of Jos Alumni Association (UJAA) which is supporting its Alma Mata by mobilizing and galvanizing its members both in Nigeria and abroad towards the construction of a Multipurpose Alumni Centre at the University’s Permanent Site, Naraguta Campus.   

Construction work on Phase 1 of the project began mid-2019 after pre- construction activities were carried out in 2018.

In a report released at the end of the Association’s 7th National Executive Committee Meeting and 2020 Central Working Committee Meeting, President of the Association, Mallam Idris Yakubu explained that the project which Phase 1 is estimated to cost about 271 Million Naira, has an estimated total cost of 512 Million Naira. According to the report which was also signed by  the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs Amaka Igalar-Okoye, the Multipurpose Centre would comprise of a Main Banquet Hall, a 500 Capacity Auditorium, Seminar/Meeting Rooms, an Internet Arena, Shops and Offices for rent and an ATM shop and will be a befitting addition to the growing list of infrastructural projects being undertaken by the institution’s current Administration under the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako.

Mallam Yakubu, who is also the immediate-past Managing-Director/CEO of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC and his team acknowledged and thanked Alumni members as well as friends of the University who have so far contributed funds and building materials towards the completion of the project, and urged other Alumni and other supporters all over the world to make their contributions.

According to the officials, it was agreed at the meeting attended by all the National EXCO members and Unijos Alumni Chapter Chairmen, that all members of the Association should contribute a minimum of 12,000 Naira each in support of the project through the Alumni Center Project Account, an initiative designed to enable all Josites to “Give back to their Alma Mata”.

It will be recalled that the Alumni Center Project was first unveiled at the Inaugural Unijos Alumni Mega Dinner Reunion & Awards Ceremony held in Abuja under the direction of Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the then Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and also a Distinguished Alumnus and attended by Alumni from far and wide. The Ground Breaking ceremony was undertaken by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Simon Lalong, Executive Governor, Plateau state, also a Distinguished Alumnus of the University who was accompanied by His Excellency, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, Edo State Deputy Governor and Prince Tony Momoh, Chairman, Governing Council, Unijos as well as other Distinguished Josites. 

They all pledged their support to the Project and agreed to partner with other friends of the University to quickly complete the project.