The AbdulSamad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) on Friday flagged off the construction of a N280 million publishing house for Babcock University in Ilishan, Ogun.
NAN reports that ASR Africa is the philanthropic initiative of the Chairman of BUA Group, AbdulSamad Rabiu, targeting education and health initiatives across Africa.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, said the project, when completed, would enhance the capacity of the university from basic press status to a modern integrated publishing house.
Represented by the Multilateral Coordination Specialist, Nakama Keri, Udoh added that the publishing house would encompass publishing, print production and other related services.
He noted that the one-storey building facility would serve as a laboratory and studio for training students of communications, media studies, and allied disciplines as well as others.
He said 22 out of 100 tertiary institutions were identified for a N280 million grant initiative just as he expressed delight at the university’s choice of establishing an integrated publishing house.
“We have grants amounting to 100 million dollars every year and this is allocated across by the board of the initiative, to projects in social development, health and education.
“We have over 58 projects that we’re doing since inception when we started operating in 2021,” he said.
Udoh reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria.
He also reiterated the importance of cooperation and collaboration between the university and the contractor for the timely delivery of the publishing house just as he urged the institution to focus on the sustainability of the project.
According to Udoh, the project is expected to be completed within six months.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ademola Tayo, expressed satisfaction at the nomination by ASR Africa, under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme.
He added that the choice of the project was a response to the vision to take the Mass Communications department of the school to a whole new level.
According to him, the university’s vision is to produce young men and women capable of critical thinking, and problem-solvers capable of proffering innovative solutions to problems of everyday life, be it social, political, and cultural.
“It’s a fantastic project because in the university system, it’s either you publish or you perish. There are journals productions, monographs, inaugural lecture series and all kinds of knowledge that will be preserved through this press.
“That is the best thing that can happen within any university setting where we manufacture knowledge,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to encourage philanthropists to give back to society saying private initiatives will further improve education and social development in the country.
ASR Africa was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based and homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting health, education and social development within Africa.
NAN
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