The Federal Government has spent more than N10 billion to upgrade infrastructural facilities in Imo State University, IMSU, Owerri, within three and half years of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
This was made known in Owerri, the Imo state capital by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. (Mrs.) Viola Onwuliri while inspecting federal projects in the state-owned university and other tertiary institutions in the state.
She also warned that with huge funding committed in the education sector, the Federal Government will no longer tolerate mass failure in the country.
Onwuliri who represented the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau stated that in less than one year IMSU through TETFund projects has received over N4 billion for upgrading of its Law Faculty, Engineering Department as well as other infrastructures in the tertiary institution.
She also announced that as part of intervention fund set aside for all universities, the Federal Government has just allocated N1.5 billion to Imo State University for projects and N1.6 billion worth of engineering equipment, adding that the central government has committed more fund in the university than the state government as part of its determination to improve facilities in all institutions in the country.
“The Federal Government is determined to turn around faculties, increase capacity building and improve facilities in the nation’s universities,” she stated.
The Minister also disclosed that Federal Government had disbursed N1 billion to Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO) for the construction of Science park at the institution.
She said that the Federal Government does not discriminate against any institution; federal or state in its funding, adding some state institutions receive more funding than their federal counterparts.
Onwuliri further noted that with the good relationship existing between the two ministers in the education sector, “we are going to ensure that education in this country becomes the pride of all Nigerians and what the international communities will come to respect.”
She said that the current administration of President Jonathan has zero tolerance for mass failure in this country. “We must get our rhythm fast the President has set the pace in transforming this country; excellent in education is one of the key pillars of his administration. That is why the government has ensured that facilities in our institutions; state or federal are turned around to make learning conducive. If the students have not learned, it means teachers have not taught.”
The Minister who inspected other TETFund projects at Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri expressed happiness at the development she saw at these institutions and urged the staff and students to reciprocate the gesture of the Federal Government by taking their work very seriously.
She urged the students to resist exam malpractices, cultism, rape and other vices which brings shame to the nation.
