An ex-student of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, has flagged off the construction of a multi-billion naira digital library and research center for his former department of accounting in the Faculty of Management Sciences of the University.
Dr. Rabiu Olowo, who graduated from the University in 2006, noted that the project would be completed before the end of the year to mark the 20th anniversary of his graduation from the Ivory Tower.
While performing the ground-breaking ceremony on Monday at the main site of the Department of Accounting, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Salisu Usman Ogbo, noted that this project will uplift and create international visibility and international relevance for the University.
He said beyond the physical structure, the project will provide 24-hour electricity supply and 24-hour internet services, research and conference centers for the benefit of the University community.
He said the project has started to impact the economic lives of the artisans and professionals, the food vendors, the cement sellers, and all other chains involved in the construction.
He added that when the project is completed, the lecturers from the department of accounting, and by extension members from other faculties, would benefit; the students from other departments, while students from all other universities across the world will have access to carry out their research seamlessly online as a digital library,
He said this project, coming from an alumnus, is the first of its kind in the history of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, saying it is of particular interest as the donor is someone not from Kogi State.
He added that this edifice reminded him of some of the projects constructed when he visited the University of Ibadan and Nasarawa State University, urging a paradigm shift of mind by the people of Kogi State to embrace ownership of their institutions.
Ogbo noted that the flag-off of the construction of this gigantic project gives him a great sense of joy, excitement, and motivation, as he believed in diversity, which he considered to be his strength.
He declared that he has never localized his thoughts, never localized his relationship, but probably because that is what God saw, and during his time, as a Vice Chancellor of this University, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, an alumnus of this institution, who hailed from Kwara, decided to donate this project worth billions of Naira.
According to him, it is something that is remarkable. If you are talking about ownership, ownership is about your contributions. To me, this young man, for what he has done, history will be kind to him forever.
