PAAU Alumnus , Dr. Olowo, flag off construction of Multi billion naira Digital library for former Accounting Department

An ex student of the Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba , Dr. Rabiu Olowo has flag off the construction of multi billion naira digital library and research center for his former  department of accounting in the faculty of management sciences of the University.

Dr. 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 for the Ivory tower.

While performing the ground breaking ceremony on Monday at the main site  of department of Accounting, the vice Chancellor, professor Salisu Usman Ogbo noted that this project will upload and create international visibility and international relevance for the University.

He said beyond the physical structure , the project will provide  24 hours electricity supply and 24 hours internet services, research and conference centers for the benefit of the University community.

He said , the project has started to impact on the economic lives of the artisans and professionals, the food vendors, the cement sellers and all other chains involved in the construction

He added 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 said , this project coming from an alumnus is the first of kind in the history of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, saying, it is of particular interest as the donor is some one not from kogi state.

He added that this edifice reminded him of some of the projects constructed and when he visited University of Ibadan  and Nasarawa state University,  urging for paradym 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, motivation, as he believed in diversity, which he  considered to be his strength.

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

According to him, 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, 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 dividends we are enjoying today. ” He advised.

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

He described Dr. 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 is thinking of what to do for the University, other alumni members were enmesh in legal battles in order to take control of the resources from the University.

He disclosed that the legal battles led to garnishe order on the accounts of the University, challenging them that while there 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 growth and development of their alma mater.

Meanwhile, a friend of the donor, Dr. Mohammed Umar, from the Department of Accounting, United Arab Emirates University, said Dr. Olowo holds 20 as a number and 20 as a special number, explaining that his Dr. 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 glowing about Mohammed Umar, that all of them that studied accounting in Malaysia were received very well by their host Muhammad Umar.

” My vice-chancellor, let me say a little thing about Mohammed. We all met Mohammed in Malaysia. Mohammed received us. Mohammed kept us. Mohammed ensures that we graduate seamlessly from Malaysia. Every one of us, that  read Accounting from Malaysia, have 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 disclosed

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