By Emeka Ejiorfor
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) under the leadership of Arc. Sonny Echono has emerged as a pivotal force in Nigeria’s educational landscape, making substantial contributions towards uplifting the quality of higher education, especially in the area of infrastructure and fostering innovations.
With its strategic initiatives and investments, TETFUND under the current leadership has been instrumental in addressing crucial challenges in promoting research and driving positive changes across institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.
Established in 2011, TETFUND with the mandate to provide critical interventions in public institutions in Nigeria was created as a response to the deteriorating state of infrastructure, inadequate funding with limited research and developmental activities within the higher education sector in country.
The Executive Secretary of TETFUND, been a seasoned administrator cum procurement expert with experience of over thirty (30) years, upon assumption of duty, brought onboard the zeal, commitment and energy that has turned around the fortunes of tertiary institutions into world-class establishments where beneficiary institutions have continued to witness significance in the area of infrastructure, human development as well as research and innovation.
While some Nigerians have applauded the current leadership of the Fund, for the significant improvement in the sector, some persons out of mischief fail to appreciate the good deeds but are quick to castigate, even when one is doing good beyond expectations. Some of these persons have not only taken to different media platforms to discredit the landmark achievements of Arc. Sonny Echono at TETFUND but also using other strategies to misinform the public when there is a clear difference in the performance of the Fund from what it used to be in the past.
For instance, the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Osodeke in recognition of the transformations at TETFUND, applauded the Echono-led Management of the Fund for it’s determination to deepen research, provide innovation and horning of skills in beneficiary institutions across the country. He said TETFUND under Arc. Sonny Echono has exercised financial prudence in its financial business processes, thereby upholding transparency and accountability. This, he stressed was evidenced in the way and manner the Fund has continued to carry critical stakeholders including Heads of beneficiary institutions, union leaders and other relevant bodies.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, while commending the Fund on the delivery of intervention projects in higher institutions in the State, said such projects under the current leadership of TETFUND will bring robust impact in the State, promising that the State Government will do everything possible to remain in partnership with the Fund.
It therefore behooves on well-meaning Nigerians from all strata of life to rise up at this critical time to support the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to thrive in the educational sector.
Emeka Ejiorfor, a public affairs commentator, writes in from Abuja.
