The vice chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), Professor Lawal Bilbis, has called on corporate organisations to work with higher institutions in the provision of decent hostel accommodation for their students. Bilbis, who spoke in Port Harcourt shortly after the presentation of the first installment of cheque of N40.8 million for the construction of hostel accommodation to the university management by Belema Oil, said the institutions cannot on its own provide all that is needed for its smooth operation.
He said the university’s management approached the company for assistance, adding that the company, within one month, responded and directed the management to make a request and the request was granted with issuance of first installment bank cheque of N40.8 million for the takeoff of the hostel project.
“We approached Belema Oil for assistance and within one month they responded and we were asked to make a request and we did that,” he said.
He commended the company for its candid gesture and urged other corporate organisations to emulate it.
The managing director of Belema Oil, Engr Mufan Welsh, said the signing of contracts for hostel accommodation for both University of Port Harcourt and Danfodiyo University was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility. He said the company had sponsored 23 students to pursue various degree programmes overseas.
