Olowo, PAAU alumnus, flag off construction of multi-billion naira digital library for former accounting department

Rabiu Olowo, an ex -student of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, has flagged off the construction of a multi-billion naira digital library and research centre for his former department of accounting in the Faculty of Management Sciences of the University.

Rabiu Olowo, who graduated from the University in 2006, noted that the project would be completed before the end of the year to mark the 20th anniversary of his graduation from the Ivory Tower.

Performing the ground -breaking ceremony on Monday at the main site of the Department of Accounting, Salish Usman Ogbo, the Vice -Chancellor, pointed out that this project will uplift and create international visibility and international relevance for the University, adding that beyond the physical structure, the project will provide 24-hour electricity supply and 24-hour internet services, research and conference centers for the benefit of the University community.

He said the project has started to impact the economic lives of the artisans and professionals, the food vendors, the cement sellers, and all other chains involved in the construction, noting that when the project is completed, the lecturers from the department of accounting, and by extension members from other faculties, would benefit; the students from other departments, while students from all other universities across the world will have access to carry out their research seamlessly online as a digital library,

He equally pointed out this project, coming from an alumnus, is the first of its kind in the history of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, saying it is of particular interest as the donor is someone not from Kogi State, adding that this edifice reminded him of some of the projects constructed when he visited the University of Ibadan and Nasarawa State University, urging a paradigm shift of mind by the people of Kogi State to embrace ownership of their institutions.

Ogbo noted that the flag-off of the construction of this gigantic project gives him a great sense of joy, excitement, and motivation, as he believed in diversity, which he considered to be his strength.

He declared that he has never localised his thoughts, never localised his relationship, but probably because that is what God saw, and during his time, as a Vice Chancellor of this University, Rabiu Olowo, an alumnus of this institution, who hailed from Kwara, decided to donate this project worth billions of naira.

He said, “It is something that is remarkable. If you are talking about ownership, ownership is about your contributions. To me, this young man, for what he has done, history will be kind to him forever.

“As I have mentioned also, this is his friend, Dr Umar; he is from here, but they are friends. It was his relationship that drew his attention to it. You just imagine that when they were here, the young man was discriminated against; he wouldn’t have thought about coming here. Which means, those who are his friends, Dr Muhammad in particular, they have shown brotherliness; they need to work together. This type of relationship, you don’t know what it will translate to.

“Build a good relationship, beyond your ethnic inclination, beyond your religious domain, beyond your church, beyond your mosque, beyond your clan. Relate freely, because those who will meet you, you don’t know where they will come from. And so, that is what we always preach to our people: think beyond ethnic sentiment, think beyond religious sentiment, relate freely. It was such a relationship that was established; that is the dividend we are enjoying today”.

Ogbo urged members of the academic community to shun politics of primordial consideration and foster unity to make academic excellence a focal point in order to attract alumni to contribute their quota to the development and advancement of this University.

He described. Rabiu Olowo as a rare gem, who came to study here, and he is giving back to the school he left in 2006, which should be a wake-up call for other ex -students.

He lamented that while people like Rabiu Olowo are thinking of what to do for the University, other alumni members were enmeshed in legal battles in order to take control of the resources from the University.

He disclosed that the legal battles led to a garnishee order on the accounts of the University, challenging them that while they are fighting to take hold of the resources of the Alumni Association, an alumnus like them is giving a project worth billions of naira, urging them to return to the path of honour and dignity by contributing to the growth and development of their alma mater.

Speaking also, a friend of the donor, Mohammed Umar, from the Department of Accounting, United Arab Emirates University, said Rabiu Olowo holds 20 as a number and 20 as a special number, explaining that Rabiu Olowo graduated from PAAU 20 years ago, saying the project would be completed before the end of the year to mark his 20th graduation anniversary.

In a remark, the Head of the Department of Accounting spoke glowingly about Mohammed Umar, saying that all of them who studied accounting in Malaysia were received very well by their host Muhammad Umar.

He said ” My vice -chancellor, let me say a little thing about Mohammed. We all met Mohammed in Malaysia. Mohammed received us. Mohammed kept us. Mohammed ensured that we graduated seamlessly from Malaysia. Every one of us, that who read Accounting in Malaysia has one or two books from Mohammed in his library. Mohammed is not a selfish person, knowledge -wise. Your knowledge will continue to expand. We pray that some of us will be able to key into the good thing you are doing, and you will continue to do”.

He called on members of the Alumni Association to sheath their swords and embrace peace for the sake of the University, urging them and well -meaning Nigerians to make it a duty to give back to society for God’s benevolence on them.