By Idris Kolawole
The Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR Africa) Initiative has held a groundbreaking event at the ongoing construction of an ultramodern medical science laboratory edifice at Crescent University, Abeokuta, which it endowed as its corporate social responsibility to the institution.
In the presence of the university management and other stakeholders from different walks of life, Crescent University, received a major boost with the historic groundbreaking ceremony of a multi-million naira Medical Laboratory building.
The elated Proprietor and Chairman of Board of Trustees of Crescent University, Prince Ma’ruf Adesegun Ajibola,SAN, lauded the initiative of ASR Africa for donation of the edifice and also underscored the commitment of the university to establish a medical school to run medicine and other medical sciences courses in the nearest future.
He said he was pleased that personalities like Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu has been supporting institutions passionately while also referencing the late Judge Bola Ajibola that money has no value without direct impact on humanity.
He then urged other rich Nigerians to emulate such initiative to enhance the quality of training of students at tertiary institutions and make the country, a better society.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila in his welcome speech, described the project as part of expansion of the institution’s additional facilities to enhance the quality of training of its students in the Medical Laboratory Science and Nursing Sciences.
The highly excited Vice-Chancellor recounted that Crescent University bestowed on Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu a Doctor of Science (DSc) Honoris Causa in 2013 when he promised the endowment.
The vice chancellor expressed appreciation ASR Africa Initiative for redeeming its promise to construct a state-of-the-art medical laboratory for the clinical training of the students.
Students in Nursing Sciences Department according to him, have continued to record back to back 100 percent in public examinations conducted by the Nursing Council of Nigeria.
He added that Crescent University has continued to attract students from various states across the country because of its high standard of academic programmes.
Responding, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ARS Initiative-Africa, Dr. Udoh Ubong said Crescent University was chosen as a beneficiary for the project based on impressive ratings of the institution and exceptional academic performances of its students in various external professional and academic examinations including those conducted by ICAN and Nursing Council across the country.
Crescent University according to him, is among 30 public and private tertiary institutions who have benefited under the “Tertiary Education Grant” of the initiative, ranging from minimum of N250 million to a billion naira to each of the beneficiaries.
He revealed that ASR Initiative-Africa earmarked $100million annually to support tertiary institutions in Nigeria and Africa, disclosing that 16 projects are ongoing in different African countries.
The CEO assured that the N500million worth of Medical Laboratory Building, consisting of three laboratories would be completed within the next six months barring any unforseen circumstances.
He pledged that the construction firm handling the project would be closely monitore to ensure its completion within record time with the highest quality of job done.
Registrar of Crescent University, Barr.Zakariyyah Ajibola expressing the institution’s appreciation to donor , described the building as the best in terms of aesthetics and equipments.
“The management of our university is indeed very proud to be associated with your corporate organization for your leading corporate social responsibility and community relations. Kindly convey our best wishes to the Founder and Chairman”, he state.
High points of the event was the actual groundbreaking for the laboratory medical facility led by Chairman of Board of Trustees of the university and other principal officers as well as the donor, ASR Africa.
A portrait was also presented by the management of the university to the donor in appreciation of the building complex.
