New Federal Universities Seek PTDF’s Support

The vice chancellors of the nine newly created federal universities, have solicited for the support of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in the development of the institutions.

The vice chancellors made the call in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the PTDF Executive Secretary, Mr Muttaqua Darma.

Prof Chinedu Nebo, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, who spoke on behalf of other vice chancellors, said the PTDF was cardinal to the growth of the institutions.

He stressed the need for the fund to help the new universities in the areas of information and communications technology (ICT) and training of personnel.

Darma, in his response, said that the fund would be ready to collaborate with the universities to fast track the goals for which the universities were set up.

He, however, called on the vice chancellors to channel their request through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

He said that the fund was committed to the development of tertiary education but stressed that no provision was made for the new universities in the 2011 budget.

Present at the occasion were Prof. Geoffrey Okogbaa of Federal University, Wukari, Taraba; Prof. James Ayatse of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State; Prof. Abdulmumini Rafindadi of Federal University, Lokoja.

Others are Prof. Mohammed Farouk of Federal University Kashere, Gombe; Prof. Ekanem Braide of Federal University Lafia and Prof. Jibrila Amin of the Federal University, Dutse.

The new universities are expected to commence activities in September.