By Winifred Oritogun
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology minna, Prof. Abdulahi Bala FSSSN, has laid the foundation for the student hostel project initiated by Al-halal Cooperative Multi-purpose Society (ACMS).
The brief ceremony took place on Thursday, 1 December 2022, at the Main Campus.
The Vc expressed his pleasure on the ground breaking ceremony, saying that it has been quite a while something like this has been expected, as the Management has been trying to attract investors to come in and provide hostels for the students.
Prof Bala recalled that as at the time he came in as Vc, for a student population of 19,000-20,000, there were only 3,800 bed spaces, which makes FUT Minna the lowest in student to hostel ratio.
He further noted that vast majority of the students live in the community and the Management is not happy that is happening because it makes them very vulnerable to some of the unwholesome practices amongst some criminal element there. It is very important that the Management continue to take measures in encouraging the students to be on campus to properly monitor and control them.
Prof Bala mentioned that there are different models of operations and the Al-halal is given a Build, own and operate (BOO) because it is an entity within the University. That’s is why elements in the University should be able to have that freedom of choice in terms of operation of public private partnership (PPP) initiatives. He added that the university is committed to the project and will give all the necessary support needed.
Earlier, in his opening remark, the president of the cooperative, Dr Abubakar Usman said the Al-halal cooperative is the first to be given a land for this kind of gesture. Adding that the project is going to be in phases, which are six blocks of sixty four bed spaces to be taken in phases.
Dr Usman said, the first phase will be delivered in the second session of next year while the rest will continue in that order. He further expressed his pleasure to the Management for the honor and for finding the cooperative worthy to be given the land. Adding that the Cooperative is happy given the go ahead for a build, own and operate (BOO).
The former president of the Cooperative, Prof Adamu Yusuf Kabiru, in his vote of thanks said the cooperative is grateful to God for the opportunity, also appreciated the VC and his management team for their support in getting the project to this point, as this is a legacy project.
Photo credit: Elijah Yisa