From Ahmed Kaigama Bauchi
The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) Professor Sulaiman Elias Bogoro has disclosed that one hundred million naira (100m) has been earmarked for establishment of entrepreneurship centers in tertiary institutions in the country.
Professor Suleiman Bogoro made the disclosure yesterday at a two days capacity building workshop on entrepreneurship development in public tertiary institutions for lecturers in the North East region, held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Gubi campus.
“It is our belief that these centers when fully operational would provide the needed platform for lectures, students and members of the public to articulate appropriate strategies for growing entrepreneurship skills for national development”.
He said TetFund has approved a five year, 2014 to 2019, vision for the fund to deepen its focus on academic content, quality and excellence.
Bogoro, represented by the north east zonal coordinator, TetFund, Engineer Mustapha Gutalla said that the workshop was designed to further strengthen the delivery of entrepreneurship and training in public tertiary institution.
He said the training will further enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of lecturers in business development skills so that they will impact knowledge on students using train-the trainers approach.
Bogoro, explained that entrepreneurship has become an increasingly important avenue towards accelerating economic growth in any country, and also one of the major factors considered for ranking of universities in the world.
“It has become imperative that TetFund will continue to support the strengthening of entrepreneurship education in tertiary institutions and as you are aware, TetFund has been in the forefront of supporting innovative approaches to teaching and learning over the years in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Chairman Board of Trustees TetFund, Dr. Musa Babayo represented by the Head of procurement TetFund, Mr. Okunlola Kolapo said the theme of the workshop, strengthening the delivery of entrepreneurship education of lecturers will help prepare them for the future of the country in line with the global trend of entrepreneurship as major component of economic growth.
“I want to assure all participants and stakeholders in the sector of the readiness of the TetFund Board of Trustees to continue to come up with, as well as support policies that will further move tertiary education institutions to achieve global competitiveness”.
