2024 NUGA: ASR Africa Donates N250m Sport Complex to UNIJOS
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the philanthropic initiative of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CFR, CON), has kicked off the construction of a N250 million sports complex at the University of Jos.
The sporting facility will be situated at the university’s Naraguta Campus and be named Abdul Samad Rabiu Sports Complex.
It is part of the university’s preparedness to host the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).
The complex will feature a 300-seater spectator stand, changing rooms, a lawn tennis court, and a basketball court.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, commended the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu for the critical facility intervention, noting that at the time of the institution’s nomination by ASR Africa for this laudable project, the university management was worried about sourcing funds to meet up with its nomination as the host university for the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA). He added that with the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant
(TEG) Scheme, the university is positioned to host more games during the NUGA.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the university signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Sports University in South Korea to develop a comprehensive sports programme to harness the talents that abound across the country in the various fields of sports and this complex would be a boost to implement the agreement.
The Managing Director of ASR Initiative for Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh, applauded the management of the University of Jos for being an outstanding institution. He added that all of the universities who are beneficiaries of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme were selected based on some stringent criteria which include the quality of leadership, and the academic excellence at the University, amongst others.
Udoh assured the university of the speedy completion of the project ahead of NUGA games and reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa to supporting the education sector in Nigeria and Africa as a whole by providing indigenous solutions.
ASR Africa is 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.
Also speaking on behalf of the University of Jos Sports Community, Prof. Ishaya Pam appreciated the initiative for the timely intervention as the university is on a quest to be an arrowhead of sports organizations in Nigeria with its nomination to host the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) 2024 games where students with track records in sports will be identified and awarded.
Pam said that the University needs swimming pools, a hockey pitch, and renovation of dilapidated facilities amongst many others, and pleaded for more partnership from corporate Nigeria.
