Rashidat Okunlade Writes

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has commenced the construction of a 2,000 square meters Career and Renewable Natural Resources Center at the University of Ibadan.

The center will provide counseling and career support to students of the university and explore the potential of cleaner energy solutions for the institution. This comes barely three days after the groundbreaking of a Student Affairs Center comprising a sports center, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) hub, administrative offices, and a 1,000-student capacity amphitheater at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State by ASR Africa.

Both projects, drawing from the N1 billion grant to the University, are in fulfillment of the tertiary infrastructure grant awarded to the six universities in 2021 as part of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme. The grant was drawn from ASR Africa’s US$100 million Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Other universities that benefitted from the grant were the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the University of Ilorin, the University of Benin, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Ibadan, Oyo state, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa thanked the university management for their cooperation on the project implementation. He described the project as “life-changing” as it will address diverse mental health issues amongst students, nurture students in their career path and provide cleaner energy solutions for the university’s use.

Left-Right: Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic); Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi (University Librarian – behind); Prof. Kayode Adebowale (Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan); Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the construction flag-off ceremony at the University Campus on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Left-Right: Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic); Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi (University Librarian – behind); Prof. Kayode Adebowale (Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan); Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the construction flag-off ceremony at the University Campus on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Left-Right: Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic); Dr. Mercy Iroaganachi (University Librarian – behind); Prof. Kayode Adebowale (Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan); Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the construction flag-off ceremony at the University Campus on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Furthermore, Dr. Ubon said the project affirms Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and Chairman of ASR Africa’s commitment to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and Africa at large. He added that the career center is a project that would further boost the morale of the students of the University of Ibadan to compete academically with their peers outside the country.

“I want to on behalf of Abdul Samad Rabiu thank the university management for the cooperation and partnership they have shown us so far. I want to assure you of growing this partnership and looking forward to better things to come”. Dr. Ubon said.

In his remark, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the university’s Vice Chancellor, thanked Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder and Chairman of ASR Africa for making the project a reality. Prof. Kayode said the project is of great importance to the university, as it will address students’ needs for counseling and career mentorship and pave the way for research on alternative energy. He assured the ASR Africa team of the management’s support to ensure the speedy completion of the project.

Rashidat Okunlade Writes

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) has kicked off the construction of an ultra-modern Student Affairs Center at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State.

The center will house a sports center, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) hub, administrative offices, and a 1,000-student capacity amphitheater.

This is in fulfillment of the N1billion tertiary infrastructure grant awarded to the University in 2021 as part of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grants Scheme. The grant was drawn from ASR Africa’s $100million Fund for Social Development and Renewal. Other universities that benefitted from the grant were the University of Maiduguri, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the University of Ilorin, the University of Benin, and the University of Ibadan.

The brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education, and Social Development within Africa.

Left: Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Dr. Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, ASR Africa during the groundbreaking for the construction of ASR Student Centre within the university campus on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Awka, Anambra State.

Left-Right: Prof. Charles Esimone, Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), and Dr. Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, ASR Africa unveiling the foundation laying plaque during the groundbreaking for the construction of ASR Student Centre within the university campus on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Awka, Anambra State.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Awka, Anambra State, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, applauded the university for the student-friendly project and reiterated that Abdul Samad Rabiu, the founder and Chairman of ASR Africa is committed to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system. Accompanied by other team members, Dr. Ubon added that the institution must focus on the sustainability of the project, and ensure it serves the purpose for which it was designed.

Left-Right: Nakama Keri (Multilateral Coordination Specialist, ASR Africa), Prof. Charles Esimone (Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University – UNIZIK) and Dr. Ubon Udoh (Managing Director, ASR Africa) during the groundbreaking for the construction of ASR Student Centre within the university’s campus on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Awka, Anambra State.

According to Dr. Ubon, “I want to commend the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, and the entire selection team for this student-friendly project. This is in line with the guidelines of ASR Africa and the vision of Abdul Samad Rabiu, the founder and Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa for the educational sector in Nigeria.  It is a unique project and we hope the students will take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Students’ Center”

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the university Prof. Charles Esimone FAS, commended ASR Africa for keeping to their promise. He emphasized that the university will work judiciously with the contractor to deliver the project within the set time.

The edifice, which will be named after the Chairman of ASR Africa upon completion, is devoted to student development, socialization, recreation, and enhanced academic access. Beyond the donation, ASR Africa is providing technical support for some tertiary institutions in the areas of visibility and expanding academic curricula.

A panel is set to discuss the implications of digital culture for democracy during the public presentation of a book by the Head of Media Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Omoniyi Ibietan, on Tuesday, 25 July 2023, the publishers of the book have said.

The panel discussion will follow the review of Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria, by Azubuike Ishiekwene, the editor-in-chief of Abuja-based Leadership Newspapers.

Discussions during the session will dwell on ‘The Cyber Context of Political Communication and its Implications for Democracy in Africa’.

Listed as panellists are Mr Ibietan, Majeed Dahiru, writer, public affairs analyst and CEO of Orascom Properties; and Abiodun Adeniyi, a professor of Mass Communication and deputy dean, Postgraduate School, Baze University, Abuja.

Chido Onumah, social entrepreneur, journalist, writer, author and Coordinator, African Centre for Information and Media Literacy (AFRIMIL), will moderate the discussion.

The panel will focus on how cyber politics played out and shaped the last two general elections in Nigeria. The possible implications of cyber politics in future elections will also be x-rayed.

Published by Premium Times Books, the book publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, the 460-page book, spread over 12 chapters, interrogated a critical phase in Nigeria’s democracy through its elections.

In this new title that has been widely praised, Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election is used as the sounding board from which analyses that offer great insights into the future of voting behaviour in the country were made.

The study that culminated in the book has been described as both skilful in its rendition and ground-cutting in its intellectual approach.

At the planned Tuesday event, the book will be formally unveiled by Umar Danbatta, a professor, and executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where Mr Ibietan works. Danbatta is also the writer of the foreword to the book.

Among prominent personalities who have commented on the book and the author is Mr Danbatta.

In a foreword he wrote for Cyber Politics, the NCC CEO praised the book for situating the historical context of Nigerian politics and democracy and for exploring the nexus between social media and voting behaviour, and the influence of the social media ecosystem and other variables in the electoral process.

He described Cyber Politics as a “compelling narrative, a scholar’s guide and companion on the various political communication themes it interprets”.

“It is difficult to put down this work once you are drawn by its alluring and free-flowing prose and incisive analysis,” the NCC boss added.

Cyber Politics has been available in hardback and paperback versions in bookstores across the country since 12 June 2023. The electronic copies of the book can also be purchased on online platforms, including Amazon.

Prominent Nigerians and stakeholders within the Nigerian politics cycle and cyber/digital ecosystem are billed to be at the public presentation of the book.