FG Ready To Host Pan African University – Minister

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’l said the Federal Government was ready to host the Pan African University (PAU) Institute, University of Ibadan.

She stated this when Prof. Jean Ezin, the Commissioner, Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology, African Union Commission (AUC), Addis Ababa, led a team to her office in Abuja.

The Minister gave an assurance that the Federal Government would ensure the smooth take-off of the institute in October.

According to her, necessary logistics have been put in place for the launching of the institute and that the country has always made a regular budget for its smooth take-off.

Our correspondent reports that the institute has  thematic areas in all regions on continent.

The areas are basic technology, innovation, water, energy, earth and life sciences which are to be situated in East, North and West African regions. Others include space and governance, human and social sciences to be located in South and Central African regions.

Speaking, Ezin observed that they were in the ministry to intimate the minister on the proposed take-off of the institute and urged her to appoint an acting director, who would co-ordinate its activities.

The establishment of PAU is the brain-child of the Heads of Governments of all African Countries.

Meanwhile about 70 people trained in various skills at the Badagry Vocational training Centre would graduate on August 20, Alhaji Adebayo Ajibadi, a council official, has said.

He told newsmen that the trainees had completed training in catering, tailoring, computer studies, refrigeration repair and hair dressing.

Ajibadi, who heads Agriculture Department in Badagry Local Government, said that the cetnre was established in 2003 for the poverty alleviation and economic empowerment of the youth in the area.

Our Correspondent reports that the centre is a collaborative effort of UN Development Programme, Lagos State Government and Badagry Local Council.

The council provided the funding, UNDP supplied the equipment while Lagos State Government was the facilitator.