Society
VC Tells Importance Of ASR Africa’s Donation Of Ultra Modern N250m Sports Complex To Uni Jos
a standout catalyst in achieving the pivotal vision.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof Ishaya Tanko has revealed some of the gains of the sports complex that the Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa Initiative is building for the higher institution of learning.
The foundation committed to unlocking sustainable development opportunities in Africa, by Africans, for Africans founded by leading philanthropist – and Chairman of the in-a- class-of-its-own conglomerate, BUA Group – Abdul Samad Rabiu on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, started the construction of the N250 million ultra-modern Abdul Samad Rabiu Sports Complex for the University of Jos with a groundbreaking ceremony.
The Vice-Chancellor who described the event as “the culmination of years of hard work and planning by the management of the University of Jos and ASR Africa Initiative” provided insight into the immediate and long-term importance of the high-value project in his welcome address at the ceremony.
Explaining that to drive infrastructural development, as part of his vision to position the University of Jos as the arrowhead of sports development in Nigeria which will produce more top-flight athletes and Olympic medalists for the country amid the hope of increasing Nigeria’s GDP( gross domestic product ) and provide job opportunities for youth, Profesor Ishaya revealed that the Higher Institution sought for and obtained the hosting rights for the NUGA games ( the University Game organized by the Nigeria University Games Association) for 2024.
From an estimated eighty universities, the NUGA games is expected to attract about nine thousand athletes, officials, and spectators to Jos for the first time in the history of the competition.
“In actualizing this vision, the University of Jos has earned the support of a partner, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR)…
“After a rigorous selection process, UniJos was awarded a grant from the ASRI for Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TBGS) worth N250 million Naira. This is for the construction of a Sports Complex in the University.” the vice chancellor highlighted the critical role that the foundation is playing in his welcome address.
Adding that as part of his vision for the university, he has made it the goal of his administration to establish an Institute of Sports which will encompass areas such as Sports medicine, journalism, law, management, history, physical and health education, events management, Professor Ishaya disclosed that ‘due processing is ongoing for the award of contracts for the construction of an Olympic size swimming pool, training pool, view pavilion and changing rooms, regrassing of the football field, installation of synthetic tracks, and construction of hockey and cricket fields “- to complement the indoor sports hall being built, and another the Taekwondo hall, planned for reconstruction and rehabilitation ahead of the NUGA games.
The ultra-modern Abdul Samad Rabiu Sports Complex is a standout catalyst in achieving the pivotal vision.
When completed the sports complex being built by ASR Africa Initiative at the Naraguta Campus of the university will feature a 300-seater spectator stand, changing rooms, a lawn tennis court, and a basketball court.
The high impact project is one of the many education boosters that ASR Africa initiative is involved in different higher institutions across the country including the construction of the N250 million College of Health Sciences Office Block for Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State and the N250million Admin Block and a Conference Room for the Al-Qalam University, Katsina.
