Advocacy Groups, Students Hail Transparency At TETFund

A coalition of civil society and advocacy groups under the aegis of Coalition for New Nigeria (CNN) and students of higher institutions comprising of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and National Union of Universities Students (NUUS) have commended the level of transparency and accountability being championed by the tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the groups called on other strategic government institutions to take a cue from the leading example being demonstrated by the management of TETFUND.

While addressing journalists and members of the public, convener of the civil society coalition and renowned public affairs consultant, Adams Abonu charged the Architect Sonny Echono-led management of TETFUND to keep to the standards of showing transparency and being accountable to justify the confidence reposed on them by the federal government.

‘’With the recent regime of transparency being observed at TETFUND, the effort deserves public commendation to encourage further giant strides to sustain the mandate of the institution. The resolve of the current executive secretary, Architect Sonny Echono, to refocus on encouraging research and human capital development while also transforming the physical infrastructure of our higher institutions of learning cannot be overemphasized.

‘’Members of the civil society and the general public, particularly students of higher institutions of learning have observed the precedence being set at TETFUND under 100 days of the current executive secretary and we have gathered here to tell Nigerians that we are pleased with the direction of the management and to encourage them to keep up the good works.
We make bold to state unequivocally that President Muhammadu Buhari made an excellent choice in mandating the renowned public servant to meet the core mandate of TETUND,’’ Abonu stated.
The group frowned at recent efforts which it termed as ‘’misguided’’ to distract the management of TETFUND through frivolous petitions by elements that have appeared uncomfortable with the effective strategies of the new helmsman.
Abonu said, ‘’We in the civil society observed with disdain the antics of angry officials affected by the effective policies of the new dispensation at TETFUND and we are encouraging the executive secretary not to be distracted by such misguided antics.
The accusation of contract fraud leveled against the management was just a mere strategy to attract negative attention as the design and costing of projects executed by TETFUND were done by benefitting institutions.

‘’The new reforms at TERTFUND viz-a-viz the focus on curriculum review, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, advancement of information and communication technology and maximizing research and innovative development deserves encouragement and we urge the executive secretary not to be distracted from this direction.”