By AWAYI KUJE

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has disclosed that the state government is funding the construction of the world’s first University of Public Relations and Leadership entirely from its savings.

Sule made the disclosure on Friday in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area, while performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) University.

The governor attributed the state’s ability to finance the project without borrowing to ongoing economic and fiscal reforms under President Bola Tinubu, which he said had enhanced financial discipline and independence at the sub-national level.

“This used to be a state where if we needed just N5 billion to construct a market, we had to go and take a bond.

“Today, if we have a N40 billion project, we don’t go anywhere to borrow money. We just execute that project,” he said.

Sule explained that the university project was being financed from a special savings fund he had been building quietly for the benefit of a future administration.

He, however, said members of the State Executive Council persuaded him to deploy part of the fund for the establishment of the university.

The governor further disclosed that 50 per cent of the total contract sum had already been paid upfront to the contractor from the savings, adding that the balance would be sourced from the same fund.

In his remarks, Dr Ike Neliaku, President of the NIPR, commended Sule for what he described as his capacity to translate vision into concrete achievements.

He said the project would reposition Nasarawa State on the global map of education and professional training.

“You are sending a powerful message, not only to Nigeria but to the entire world, that Nasarawa State is no longer at the margins of history.

“Nasarawa State has become a centre of history,” Neliaku said.

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the first civilian governor of the state, also congratulated the state government and residents for hosting the pioneering institution.

“When I first heard about this university, I congratulated the people of Nasarawa State for hosting an institution that is first of its kind in Africa, if not the entire world,” Adamu said.

Also speaking, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, the Vice President of the NIPR, described the project as a landmark achievement in higher education and professional development.

He said that the institution would be Nigeria’s first intentionally designed ‘Triple Helix’ university, integrating government, industry and academia.

“Your Excellency, this is the first specialised university in the world dedicated to public relations and leadership.

“It is also Nigeria’s first intentionally designed Triple Helix institution, and the NUC is excited about it,” Dandaura said.

Earlier, the project consultant, Arc. Shehu Tukur, said the university would be developed on a 100-hectare site, with the first phase covering 16 hectares.

Tukur explained that the initial phase would include the senate building, student hostels, staff lodges and other critical infrastructure.

“We assure you that the contract period will not be exceeded because whatever you are supposed to do with us, you have already done it.

“We are fully committed to delivering the project in line with your vision,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the university project is a collaboration between the Nasarawa State Government, the NIPR and international partners. (NAN)

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