The Bank of Industry (BoI) has completed and handed over a 30 room hostel block to the College of Medical Science and Technology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus.
The handover ceremony took place on Friday, with the Managing Director of BoI, Olasupo Olusi, describing the university as an institution capable of competing with any university in the world.
Mr Olusi, represented by the BoI Executive Director, Large Enterprise, Omar Shekarau, noted that the inauguration coincided with the fasting period and remarked that it was the first time the two major religions in the world commenced fasting on the same day and at the same time.
He stated that the commencement of Ramadan fast and Ash Wednesday together signifies unity of purpose for the two religions. "Therefore, we believed that God has a hand in it and for us, coming here reminds us of very few key things that are never forgotten in this world. One, this is the home of Zik of Africa, this is the home of Chinua Achebe of the world. It is the home of late Senator Chuba Okadigbo. This is the home of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and now the current Governor of the state, Prof Chukwuma Soludo. This is also the home of Innoson who has proved himself by showcasing Nigeria to the world. As Bank of Industry, it has always been one thing; impact. We are always looking at what we can do to create impact and we go to those communities and universities," he said.
He described the inauguration of the 30 room hostel block as a great day for the institution, adding that it positions the campus to compete favourably with any university in the world in terms of infrastructure development.
The Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ugochukwu Anyaehie, expressed appreciation to the bank for completing the hostel and stated that the university remained grateful for the collaboration with BoI.
The representative of the Akamili community, Caleb Okeke Eyobi, thanked the bank for the partnership. "The community is very grateful for all the university and its partners have done," Mr Okeke Eyobi said. He urged other partners to assist the community in addressing the gully erosion affecting the area.
