NEAR Foundation Commissions Borehole at Federal University Gashua
By Juliet Vincent
In a significant boost to water access on campus, the NEAR Foundation has commissioned a newly constructed borehole at Federal University, Gashua (FUGA), Yobe State providing students and staff with a reliable source of clean water.
The project commissioning attended by university officials, NEAR Foundation representatives, and local dignitaries, addresses the need for accessible and safe drinking water on campus.
In a statement signed by the institution’s Head of Information and Protocol, Mallam Adamu Saleh said the borehole, located between the male and female hotels, is expected to serve as a crucial infrastructure for the university community.
With an average daily campus population of several thousand, the project will significantly ease challenges related to water scarcity, especially during peak hours when demand is high.
The borehole is equipped with modern pumping systems and storage facilities, ensuring consistent water availability.
In her speech, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Maimuna Waziri, expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support, underscoring the impact the project would have on the well-being and productivity of the university community.
“Water is essential to every part of our daily lives, and this borehole will greatly enhance the experience of our students, staff, and visitors on campus,” she said.
Maimuna added that “We are deeply appreciative of the NEAR Foundation’s commitment to supporting education and improving lives in our community. I will also appealed to the foundation to continue this legacy of giving by considering additional support for our university’s critical needs in the areas of medical outreach programme, construction of additional classrooms to address the demands of our growing students population and the establishment of staff school to provide quality education for the children of our staff.”
She also made a special request for collaboration between the university and the foundation to address the prevalence of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemic in Gashua and environs.
She stressed that the disease has been a subject of serious concern in Northern Yobe state for decades.
A representative of the NEAR Foundation, the foundation’s Project Coordinator, Abdulmalik Mamman Bulakos, stated that the borehole was part of their broader initiative to support educational institutions and foster community development.
“Our goal is to empower communities with the resources they need to thrive. Access to clean water is foundational, and we are proud to partner with Federal University Gashua in bringing this essential service to their doorstep,” the representative noted.
He said the project is dedicated as a charity borehole in memory of late Muhammed Fethullah Gulen.
Students and staff have warmly welcomed the project, noting the convenience and improvement in campus facilities.
The facility will also support hygiene efforts on campus, contributing to better health outcomes.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with a demonstration of the borehole’s functionality, symbolizing a new chapter of improved amenities at Federal University Gashua.
The university and NEAR Foundation officials expressed optimism for continued collaborations to support the institution’s growth and sustainability.
