FG releases N230bn to Federal Universities

The Federal Government has released N230billion to all the federal universities in the country as special intervention fund for capital projects and to clear the arrears of earned allowances to all categories of staff. President Goodluck Jonathan, who disclosed this at the weekend, during the convocation ceremony of Federal Uni- NATIONAL University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) said the revitalization of universities in the country was one of the transformation agenda of the present administration in the country.

While N200 billion was meant for the special intervention fund, N30 billion was for the payment of earned allowances that have had been generating crisis between university management and labour unions in the institutions. The plan of the Federal government by 2018, according to the President, who was represented by Prof Azikwe Nwalu, from the National University Commission (NUC) is for the total transformation of the universities in the country with the planned injection of N1.2 trillion for infrastructural development and capacity building.

The President tasked the institutions and other stakeholders to reciprocate the gestures of the Federal Government by fulfilling their mandates. His words: “If the government is going extra miles to meet the needs of our higher educational institutions, the institutions in turn are expected to reciprocate these gestures by ensuring the fulfilment of their mandates.

“While I urge the leadership of our universities to ensure prudence, accountability, transparency and delivery of value for money all the time, I implore the staff to be committed to the highest levels of performance engendered by patriotism, dedication and selflessness. “More importantly, there is the need to always partner with the administration and government to ensure crisis-free campuses and a stable academic calendar. In the same manner, I urge our students to eschew violence and all forms of anti-social activities and to ensure an all-time concentration on their studies.”



Credit:NAN