The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa (ASR Africa) Initiative has awarded a grant of N250 million to the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET) in Gusau, Zamfara, under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGS).
The project also falls under ASR Africa's special gender intervention program in Northern Nigeria.
ASR Africa, Social Development Specialist, Edidiong Idang disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York.
Idang said FCET Gusau had engaged ASR Africa for support in its drive for funding in August of 2022.
“ASR Africa immediately signed a technical support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the college due to the uniqueness of the institution being an all-female Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) STEM college.
“FCET is an all-female teaching college and offers to train competent female technology teachers and potential entrepreneurs, for technological and national development.
“This support includes the development of its communication strategy and materials, Resource mobilization strategy, Education and digitalization; and development of entrepreneurial opportunities for the college.
“After five months of engagement, under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGS), ASR Africa awarded the sum of 250 million naira to 22 tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“As part of the outcomes of the technical support, Federal College of Education Technical (FCET) which is located in Gusau, Zamfara state, Nigeria was nominated as one of the beneficiaries of the grant scheme.,’’ she said.
”The letter of award was presented to the institution on Feb. 7. So far, talks are ongoing as regards the identified project for the grant and associated work plan,’ she said.
The official told the media that the support would continue due to the technical support MoU signed to support the college's long-term goals.
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“This support is specific for the college considering all the issues- gender, cultural bias, geographical location; that otherwise make it a very unique institution.”
She, however, expressed optimism that the success achieved so far would be sustained as the College also receives support from the Federal Government.
“This is one sure way of sustaining whatever interventions ASR and its partners may have established in the school.
“On the other hand, ASR believes that by building more visibility around the college, increasing the number of students, and establishing entrepreneurial activities within the college, it will be self-sufficient.
“FCET will be buoyant enough to sustain current academic programs while broadening its offerings with innovative programs that target the needs of the nation and the aspirations of women in Nigeria.’’
In addition, she said at the beginning of the partnership with FCET, ASR Africa had developed a set of indicators that would guide the needed support to the College.
“They included: building visibility for the college, seeking exchange programs for students and secondments for staff, providing enriched educational programs, and attracting economic opportunities within and outside the college.
“Our outing at the UN Commission on Status of Women (CSW) event in March was one avenue of building global visibility for the college.
“ASR Africa remains committed to ensuring that FCET achieves its vision of becoming a world-class all-female college.”
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) is the brainchild of the African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu.
It was set up in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting health, Education, and Social Development within Africa through its annual 100 million dollars Africa Fund for Sustainable Development and Renewal.
