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Deborah Tolu-Kolawole
The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has disclosed that over N80b has been expended on the establishment of the new medical science university, King David University of Medical Sciences, located in Uburu, Ebonyi State, which was named after him.
Umahi, who was speaking during a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono, on Wednesday, also solicited a take-off fund for the university.
“We are soliciting for take-off fund. That university; we have sunk over N80b in that university. If it is done by any other agency, I am sure that N150b cannot do it. I am not boasting about that,” he said.
He also stated that his reason for the visit was to congratulate the executive secretary on the new job, adding that his appointment as the TETFund boss will bring a huge transformation to the Fund.
“I am here to thank him for the work he is doing in the new seven universities, which one is in my state.
“The President graciously named the university after me. I am here to say thank you to him. We also have interventions for the university. Before, I could ask the executive secretary had written a letter requesting that the university come up with a proposal. That is how it ought to be. Before now, you have to beg and wait and the project of one year will take up to two years. It shouldn’t be so. I am very happy with what they are doing for us and what TETFund will still do for us,” he said.
Responding, Echono commended the governor for the many transformations he has brought to the state adding the governor has become a standard bearer for measuring public service.
He added that the president was impressed with the structure put in place by the governor in the new Medical Sciences university; with the provision of world-class infrastructure which was why the President didn’t hesitate to name the university after the governor.
“He graciously accepted the Federal Government to take it over and there was no hesitation in naming it after him to immortalise him to set up an example for other governors to emulate. Our country will grow and develop if people commit themselves to serve the way he has done. We remain proud of his service.
“Besides the university, we are taking over, recall that the Federal Government has established a College of Education in Ebonyi as well as a Federal Technical College within the last few years. We are complementing what we call performance base. As you do well, we also complement you to do better. That is the paramount shift,” he said.
The TETFund boss promised to work with the governor to ensure that the state, as well as the country, benefit from the new university.
“We will be collaborating with the state government as we want to quickly see that transition. We want to see our work translate into benefits for our people. We know what the doctor: patient ratio is. We are tired of being on the wrong end of the statistics. We want to produce the right manpower in this country.
“We want to reduce the resources we extend annually for medical tourism. By the time we have world calls facilities here, we will be able to treat any ailment and also become a hub for foreigners to come here the same way India has achieved. We are poised to do that in the next few years,” he said.
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