Chairman of UBA Group and Entrepreneur, Tony Elumelu has donated a multipurpose Information Technology Centre to his alma mater, Ambrose Ali University (AAU).
The construction of the multipurpose Information Technology Centre was initiated by Elumelu through the UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA).
The state-of-the-art technology centre which was built to cater to the needs of the students of AAU will be named after Elumelu (The Tony O. Elumelu Multipurpose Hall). The hall is endowed with computers, desks and chairs, measures 839 square meters and has adjoining offices and conveniences.
Speaking on what prompted the move, Elumelu said, “Education is crucial to Nigeria’s human capital – whether our young people join our national institutions, the private sector or, as I did, take the entrepreneurial path, no one can afford to be cut off from the digital world. It has been a personal mission to ensure that the hall was delivered to specification, for the benefit of the students at the AAU. Success brings with it the duty to give back, and I am just grateful that I am now in a position to meaningfully help the next generation.”
The multipurpose hall was formally handed over to the University, at a ceremony attended by members of the University’s governing council and staff, led by Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ignatius Onimawo.
UBA’s Directorate Head, South Bank, Mr Chris Ofikulu who represented the UBA Group Chairman while speaking during commissioning highlighted the contribution of UBA, through its Foundation, to education and development across Africa.
He noted that UBA currently operates in 20 countries across Africa is committed to being a socially responsible institution, and a role model for businesses in Africa.
He stated further that, The UBA Foundation actively promotes the socio-economic improvement of the communities in which UBA operates, with a particular emphasis on development in the areas of “Education, Environment, and Economic Empowerment. We believe in intervening and building capacity within communities, facilitating projects that will act as catalysts for social and economic development’ he stated.
In his words, “Tony Elumelu is a product of this great university and is conscious of the need to give back and there is no substitute for world-class educational infrastructure, and this is what has informed the construction of these facilities, that will help equip the future leaders of our great nation Nigeria.”
The AAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ignatius Onimawo expressed his gratitude towards the gesture by the UBA Group Chairman, while noting that one of the dire needs of the University for 2020 had been met, and thanked UBA and Elumelu.
The Vice-Chancellor charged the students to take advantage of the infrastructure provided by the UBA Group so they can also evolve to be great leaders and mentors like Eumelu who has been one of those at the fore front of entrepreneurial growth across Africa, through the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Onimawao said, “We at Ambrose Ali university are so proud of our son Tony Elumelu and every time we see him doing good across Africa, we feel joy and accomplishment.”
