The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has commissioned the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ICT Experience Centre under the Renewed Hope Initiative at the University of Cross River State, Calabar.
The facility, commissioned on Friday, is the second ICT Experience Centre under the Renewed Hope Initiative to be commissioned by the current administration, according to the First Lady.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu; his wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu; Chairman of the TETFUND Board of Trustees, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari; Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arch. Dr Sonny Echono; and other federal and state government officials.
Also present were the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa; Chairman of the Bank of Industry, Dr Mansur Muhtar; Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem; and other dignitaries.
Commissioning the facility, Tinubu dedicated it to the glory of God and the benefit of students of the university.
She said the centre was part of efforts to expose young Nigerians to the technological opportunities available in the future.
“To the glory of God and the benefit of all students of this institution, it is my honour and privilege to commission the ICT Centre in University of Cross River State. God bless everyone. Our children should know that this is what the future holds for them,” she said.
The First Lady subsequently toured the centre alongside Governor Otu, the Cross River State First Lady and other dignitaries.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, led the delegation through the facility and highlighted its potential to support teaching, learning, research, creativity and digital innovation.
During the tour, Tinubu and other dignitaries also commended cultural and artistic works produced by students and displayed at the centre.
The First Lady stressed the need for Nigeria to preserve its cultural identity while advancing technologically.
She also commended the Vice-Chancellor for her leadership of the university.
Tinubu disclosed that other ICT projects under the Renewed Hope Initiative would be commissioned soon, indicating further expansion of the programme.
The UNICROSS centre is expected to strengthen access to modern digital and educational resources for students and support the university’s academic and research activities.
The project also marks an addition to the infrastructure of the university and provides a platform for digital learning, creativity and innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor’s engagement with TETFUND and other stakeholders was instrumental to the establishment and completion of the facility, according to the university.
Bassey’s collaboration with the First Lady of Cross River State also contributed to the participation of the First Lady of Nigeria in the commissioning ceremony.
The university used the occasion to showcase its facilities and academic capabilities, with the event attended by members of the TETFUND Board of Trustees, state officials, service commanders, traditional rulers and members of the university community.
At the ceremony, Bassey presented Tinubu with a commemorative plaque, Efik traditional gifts and an Adire fabric bearing the First Lady’s name and the UNICROSS crest.
The event also featured cultural performances by groups and students of the university.
The commissioning of the centre is expected to enhance UNICROSS’s digital infrastructure and further expose its students to modern technological resources as the university seeks to strengthen teaching, research and innovation.
