By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, has innaugurated an ultra-modern Institute of Entrepreneurship at Taraba State University, describing it as a strategic investment in youth empowerment and regional growth.
The project, executed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), forms part of ongoing intervention efforts aimed at strengthening tertiary education across Nigeria’s North-East.
Speaking during the ceremony in Jalingo, the Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Bola Tinubu to prioritizing education and skills development as critical drivers of national transformation. He urged students to combine academic excellence with practical entrepreneurial skills to compete effectively in the global economy.
Ahmadu commended Agbu Kefas, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, and management for their dedication to advancing education in the state.
A Flagship Intervention
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, described the Entrepreneurship Institute as one of the Commission’s flagship projects in the region.
He disclosed that the facility houses:
Two conference halls
Fourteen offices
Two secretariat offices
Waiting areas and conveniences on each floor
A fully equipped ICT Centre
According to him, the ICT Centre features 50 desktop computers in the software laboratory and 20 hardware equipment toolkits in the hardware laboratory.
Alkali further revealed that the Commission constructed a solar-powered 10,000-gallon overhead water tank at the Female Zenith Hostel to improve water supply within the university community.
He urged students to maximize the use of the facilities, emphasizing that the Commission remains committed to strengthening education and entrepreneurship development across the North-East.
University Upgraded to Full Institute
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Bako, said the new structure has transformed the Entrepreneurship Centre into a full-fledged Institute comprising four departments.
He assured stakeholders that the university would leverage the facility to enhance students’ competence, innovation capacity, and employability.
“The commissioning marks another milestone in the development of Taraba State University, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, skills acquisition, and academic excellence,” he said.
Health Infrastructure Boost in Zing
Beyond the university project, the delegation also commissioned and handed over key health infrastructure at the General Hospital in Zing Local Government Area.
The projects include:
A renovated and fully equipped 60-bed male and female ward
Three two-bedroom staff quarters
Fencing of the staff quarters
Three boreholes
Solar-powered streetlights
The commissioning in Taraba is part of the NEDC’s ongoing inspection, commissioning, and handover of completed intervention projects across the six states of Nigeria’s North-East.
The delegation included the NEDC Managing Director/CEO Mohammed Goni Alkali; Pioneer Chairman of the NEDC Governing Board, Gen. Paul Tarfa (Rtd); and the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Wesley Tafida, among other dignitaries.
