UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility Arm of Pan-
African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has completed
the construction of a pedestrian bridge primarily for students of the Usman
Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, thus bringing comfort to students of the
institution.
The construction of the
bridge, valued at about N13m was commissioned on Monday, by the Governor of
Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,
For over four decades, the
students of UDUS, especially those living off-campus had found it tedious to
connect the campus as the area was impassable, especially during rainy season.
They couldn’t get in and out of their dormitories and to the mosque easily and
were going through an uncomfortably long route to get to lectures.
In August 2017, at the
National Dialogue Series organised by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of
the school , the Chairman of UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu acceded to the request
of the students who had informed him of their plight and promised to assist
them. UBA Foundation came to their aid.
At the opening ceremony of
the newly constructed bridge, the UBA GMD, Kennedy Uzoka expressed delight at
the prompt completion of the project and reminded the students that UBA
remained committed to easing the day-to-day challenges of the citizens, and
especially students living within and beyond its areas of operations, adding
that the core values of the bank – excellence, enterprise and execution – is
aimed at putting the customers and society first. This, he noted prompted the
bank’s intervention, adding that ensuring customers’ satisfaction and giving
back to the people were a focal point for the bank and the UBA Foundation.
He said, “As an institution,
we are passionate about giving back to society through UBA’s Foundations’
components: Empowerment, Education and Environment. This construction falls
under the area of education and environment. We want to be a role model with uniqueness
not by coincidence but by physical commitment and strengthening of our good
will in advancing the course of humanity through our foundation. We have been
doing this over the years by sponsoring essay competitions and indigent
students to institutions across African countries where we operate.
We believe in meritocracy,
industry, entrepreneurship and mentorship of young students to become good
ambassadors of the country in their endeavours.” Added Uzoka
Governor Aminu Waziri
Tambuwal, who was represented at the ceremony by Secretary to the State
Government, Professor Bashir Garba commended Elumelu, the bank and the UBA
Foundation for the gesture that adds value to the institution. Whilst calling
for other stakeholders to emulate the actions of Elumelu, he noted that
education in itself is capital intensive that requires the participation and
support of corporate stakeholders to succeed.
The Vice Chancellor of the
University, Professor Abdullahi Zuru also noted with pleasure the philanthropic
gesture of Elumelu in building hope and strengthening value-adding relationship
to the institution and especially to the youths. He explained that the edifice
commissioned was vital to the day-to-day movement of students for their daily
academic and other extracurricular activities.
According to him, for the
past four decades, the students had not been finding it easy especially during
the rainy season which affected their movement through the passage due to the
mushy nature of the spot. “We reached out to a number of organisations but
thank God UBA heeded our call and came through for us in a big way. It is now
the shortest way for our students particularly now. We deeply appreciate
Elumelu and the UBA family. The edifice which has side lights will serve us in no
small way,” he stated.
In the recent past, UBA
Foundation has intervened in the infrastructure development of universities
across Africa with donation of ICT centres, hostels, recreational parks among
many others. Beneficiaries of such interventions include Universities of
Ilorin, Benin, Lagos, Ekpoma and many others.
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