TETFund pledges support after flooding disrupts UI hostels
TETFund pledges support after flooding disrupts UI hostels
In response to severe flooding that impacted hostels at the University of Ibadan (UI), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has pledged to provide immediate support and resources to address the damages.
A delegation from TETFund, led by Hon. Sunday Adepoju, the Southwest representative on the board on Thursday met with the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, to assess the situation firsthand.
The flooding, which particularly affected Awo Hostel, resulted in significant damage, with approximately 16 rooms on the underground floor completely submerged.
Students’ belongings, including personal items, documents, and foodstuffs, were reported to be floating in the water, causing distress among the affected residents.
During the assessment visit, the TETFund team also inspected other vulnerable areas within the university, such as the Oba Dam, the UI Zoological Garden culvert, the Department of Forestry, and the UI Ajibode extension bridge.
According to the team, goal of the visit was to identify potential risks and develop a proactive plan to mitigate future flooding incidents.
In an interview, Adepoju said, “We have witnessed the impact of the flooding, but it was not as severe as portrayed in some media reports.
“However, we recognize the urgency of the situation and are prepared to take the necessary actions to prevent similar occurrences in the future.”
He emphasised their commitment to supporting educational institutions, particularly in light of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which prioritises education as a critical area for development.
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Adepoju assured the university community that TETFund would mobilise resources to address the immediate needs arising from the flooding.
In his remark, the deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Prof. Peter Olapegba, expressed appreciation to the TETFund team for their visit and support.
He characterised the media coverage of the flooding as exaggerated, clarifying that the incident was an isolated event, highlighting the university’s ongoing efforts to implement measures aimed at reducing the risk of future flooding incidents.
Olapegba called on both the federal government and TETFund for special interventions, specifically in terms of ecological assessments and improved drainage systems.
“We need to enhance our infrastructure to ensure that we can better manage rainfall and avoid such disruptions in the future.”
“The university administration remains committed to the welfare of its students and is working closely with TETFund to secure the necessary resources for recovery and to establish safeguards against future flooding events,” he said. (Vanguard)
