By Abdullahi U. Danbakaba
The Federal University of Technology, Minna in collaboration with Multi-Minerals Nigeria Limited has unveiled a modern block industry in furtherance of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by both parties on February 28, 2019.
The unveiling ceremony which was performed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Bala, fsssn, took place on Friday, November 26, 2021 at the Main Campus, beside Masoyi Farms, Gidan Kwano.
Delivering his remarks at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor who expressed his excitement over the passion and foresight exhibited by the Multi-Minerals Nigeria Limited, described the project as a viable one adding that the company remained a strategic investor for the University.
He disclosed that the initial idea that brought about the partnership between the University and the company was on farming considering the fact that the University is sitting on a large expanse of land totaling about 10,600 hectres, with only a small portion of it currently being utilized.
Prof. Bala said that the idea of venturing into block making was later arrived at in order to better utilize the resources available in the University, provide another source of revenue and expose students to real practical training with a view to establishing a close link between the town and the gown and between the University and industries.
“We believe our students being exposed to the kind of machineries, the kind of work ethics and the kind of agronomic practices that will come to bear, will go along way in benefiting them as they will not only learn but also gain the skills needed to prepare themselves to be self-employed when they leave the University ” the VC reiterated.
Prof. Bala further explained that the collaboration is not only beneficial to the parties involved but also the host community and the humanity at large, noting that the host community would substantially benefit in terms of provision of labour, skills and modern techniques which require minimal human efforts.
He stressed the need for the host community to give maximum cooperation to ensure peace and harmonious coexistence so as to achieve the desired goal.
The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the need for ensuring efficiency and quality outputs, adding that as a university of technology going into the market to compete with others, it should be seen to be operating at a higher level, using modern technology in a manner that others can see the benefits and begins to adapt.
He further encouraged students to embark on the student’s industrial works experience in small and medium enterprises (SME) around where they will be trained and prepared for self-employment and be ready to stand on their own after graduation instead of doing their SIWES in places that have little or no relevance to what they have learnt.
Speaking earlier, the MD/CEO, Multi-Minerals Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Titilayo Eunice Oyewole disclosed that the company imported a semi automatic block making machine from China with the capacity of producing over 1,800 blocks per day, an indication of their preparedness to meet demands.
Mrs. Oyewole who thanked the Vice-Chancellor for giving and creating a conducive environment for the project to start, also called on the University to encourage its contractors to patronize the block industry as it would result in making money for the mutual benefit of the parties to the MOU.
Photo Credit: Ibrahim Gbate