By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated a modern fire station, a brand new fire fighting truck, a functional borehole and offices to the management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi and its entire community in Gubi campus.
The fire station also has a modern fire fighting vehicle, offices for staff and a borehole for water refill which is to operate 24 hours.
Commissioning and handing over the facilities to the ATBU Management, the Minister of State, Ministry of Regional Development, Hon Uba Maigari Ahmadu said that Mr. President in his magnanimity has continued to support all of the Development Commissions under the Ministry of Regional Development, which has in turn enabled them to get the magnificent edifice.
“It is my honor and distinguished privilege to, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to hand over this facility for use.”
“Before handing over, I want to most sincerely thank members of the University community and also use the opportunity to implore them to own this project and all other projects undertaken and delivered by the North-East Development Commission as their projects.”
“In doing that, government gets the reassurance that monies are not wasted and the beneficiary community truly appreciates the effort of government and the valuable efforts of the Development Commissions.”
“It is my honor and singular privilege to on behalf of all of us, the Ministry, the Commission, and the house of Representatives Committee on the North-East Development Commission, to in the name of God Almighty and to the service and benefit of humanity commission this edifice in the name of God Almighty and the service of humanity and all of us. Thank you and good afternoon” he said.
Earlier, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on NEDC, commended the Commission for embarking on projects that have direct bearing on the living standards of the people across the subregion.
‘Now, on behalf of the Development Commission, I want to hand over this project that will support the University community in fighting fire outbreak even though we are not praying for such.”
” The project consist of a fire fighting truck, and a borehole, which are being handed over to the State Government through the Honourable Minister of State for Regional Development” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director /CEO of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali Goni, said the the project was necessitated by the need to save life and property in the case of any fire disaster within the University Community.
He urged the Management of the University to own the facilities and maintain them in other to achieve the set objectives of the project.
In his address while receiving the project, the Vice Chancellor, ATBU, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba, stated that, “It is with profound joy and gratitude to Almighty Allah that I stand before you to grace the commissioning of this Fire Service Station, fire fighting vehicle and ether fire fighting equipment graciously constructed and donated by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).”
Represented by the University Librarian, Dr Dauda Adamu Bakum, the VC added that,”This momentous occasion marks not just the unveiling of a building but the forging of a vital shield for our beloved university, the neighboring communities, and the Bauchi State as a whole.”
According to him, “This fire station, with other equipment indeed, stands as a testament to your commitment to safety, resilience, and the sustainable development of our North East region. We are eternally grateful, and may Allah bless you and the entire NEDC family abundantly.’
“To our Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, Kauran Bauchi, we say thank you very much and we owe you our unreserved gratitude”.
“No doubt, this station is more than an infrastructure; it is a beacon of security equipped with modern firefighting tools and a rapid-response vehicle, it will safeguard our laboratories, hostels, lecture halls, and the over 23,000 souls who call ATBU home.”
“In an era of growing risks from industrial accidents in our engineering workshops to natural hazards in our expansive campus, the fire service station ensures that ATBU remains a fortress of knowledge, not vulnerability.”
Ibrahim Garba Hassan reiterated that,”ATBU is committed to integrating this facility into our emergency protocols, training programs, and outreach initiatives, extending its benefits beyond our gates to our neighboring communities.”
He stressed that, “In the words of our forebears, “A tree does not make a forest”, this achievement blooms from collective effort. May it yield fruits of peace, prosperity, and preservation for generations.Thank you, and God bless ATBU, NEDC, Bauchi State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”