UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has donated a modern multipurpose hall equipped with computers, to the students of Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma, Edo state. The hall which is equipped with computers, measures 839 square meters with adjoining offices and conveniences. It was donated to the university to help students measure up to today’s standards of education.

Chairman of UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, spoke of his passion to ensure that the youths are provided with all they need to help them succeed in their life’s choices. He added that the project was especially dear to his heart as an alumnus of the great institution which helped to shape his future. ‘When I was a student at Ambrose Ali university, we didn’t have these facilities and it was a struggle. It is a different time today and I am happy to be able to contribute positively to the way that the students experience their educational journey at the university’ said Elumelu.

The multipurpose hall was commissioned and handed over to the school at a ceremony which was well attended by members of the school’s governing council and staff of the prestigious university, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ignatius Onimawo. Speaking at the commissioning, UBA’s Directorate Head, South Bank, Mr. Chris Ofikulu, who represented the UBA group chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu, noted that over the years, UBA, through its Foundation has been involved in various CSR activities aimed at impacting and improving the lives of youths at various levels.

‘As a pan-African bank, UBA is focused on being a socially responsible institution as well as a role model for businesses in Africa. The CSR arm of the bank, UBA Foundation is committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, with particular emphasis on development in the areas of Education, Environment, and Economic Empowerment.

We believe in intervening and building capacity within communities to facilitate projects that will act as catalysts to social and economic development’ he stated “As you may be aware, Tony Elumelu is a product of this great university and is conscious of the need to help other students perform better by setting a good stage for their career paths, and this is what has informed the construction of the modern hall, which is expected to help equip the future leaders of our great nation Nigeria,” he said.

The AAU VC, Prof Ignatius Onimawo, who expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards the gesture by the UBA Foundation, noted that the bank has met one of the pressing needs of the school this new year 2020, and urged other financial institutions to follow suit in order to help build the capacity of the youths who hold the key to a great future. He enjoined the students to make proper use of the facilities provided by the bank, and to ensure that they emerge great leaders and mentors like Elumelu, who has been making the school proud with all his efforts at curbing poverty in Africa. ‘We at Ambrose Ali university are so proud of our son Tony Elumelu and every time we see him doing good across the continent, we feel joy and accomplishment’ said Onimawo.