The Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai disclosed that the Federal Executive Council has approved two billion take off grant for the Nigeria Army University, Biu Borno State. Stating that efforts were put in place to access the approved funds from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
Gen. Buratai stated this recently in Abuja when he visited the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi.
He said that the expected fund would be released as soon as all process were completed to kick off the varsity after getting all the necessary facilities and faculty staff. The Chief of Army Staff said the varsity would serve as a unique solution centre in terms of science and technology as well as in the military capabilities in terms of equipment and innovation.
According to him; “there is an important innovation which we intend to bring about in the Nigerian Army in particular. This day you cannot fight just within the conventional sense, warfare has transformed greatly and it requires more science and intellectual approach than it used to be in those days”.
General Buratai said the Nigerian Army has gone ahead to see to the need for such University that will tailor their specific innovation needs in military science and technology.
He expressed his optimism that the University would be tailored to further enhance the Army’s ability to deal with all challenges of security scientifically and more professionally.
Gen. Buratai commended TETFund for it support, saying that the fund has transformed the landscape of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. He said, “we used have dilapidated infrastructure of laboratory left unattended to, but a lot of change is taking place and Nigeria is moving to greater height in education attachment.”
In his response, the TETFund scribe said having gotten approval for the take-off grants, the fund was poised to issue the allocation letter to the army immediately approval for 2018 intervention budget came into effect.
Dr. Baffa congratulated the Army for getting the approval for the establishment of the Nigerian Army University which he said is long overdue. He further advised that the approved fund should be used for the purpose intended when released.
