The Bank of Industry has formally handed over a newly built 30-room medical students’ hostel block at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital College of Health Sciences, Nnewi Campus.
According to a statement released on Friday, the health facility was handed over to the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Professor Stanley Anyaehie, on behalf of the board and management of the institution.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Managing Director of BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, expressed immense pleasure at the eventual realisation of the project, adding that it forms part of the bank’s legacy corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Dr Olusi, who was represented by the bank’s Executive Director of Large Enterprises, Mr Omar Shekarau, explained that the completion of the project reflects strong collaboration and continuity among the university leadership, consultants, contractors and the BOI team, “whose discipline and commitment ensured timely completion.”
He reiterated that the building would support learning, strengthening healthcare services and improving welfare for the students for whom it is intended.
Dr Olusi expressed optimism that “the building will contribute meaningfully to training the next generation of healthcare professionals who will serve our nation.”
He stressed the importance of the hostel in immediately serving the students and medical trainees for whom it was intended.
“At the Bank of Industry, development is not only about financing businesses. It is also about strengthening institutions like this one that train our professionals and sustain essential services. Medical training is demanding. Long hours, emergency calls and night duties require proximity, safety and stability. Adequate accommodation is therefore not a convenience but a necessary condition for effective learning and patient care,” Olusi noted.
According to him, the provision of the 30-room hostel block would provide a secure and dignified living environment.
He noted that the facility will make students to focus fully on their training and responsibilities.
“In a practical way, this project also reflects the broader national priority of improving access to healthcare, education and decent living conditions. When students can learn well and hospitals can function effectively, communities ultimately receive better care,” he stressed.
“This building is an investment not only in infrastructure but also in people. The doctors trained here will serve families across this state and beyond, and the preparation will directly influence the quality of care available to our citizens,” Olusi stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Unizik, Professor Anyaehie, thanked the bank for coming to the university, noting that the project would go a long way in reducing the accommodation needs of the students at the new site.
He expressed the desire of Unizik to partner with the bank in undertaking other infrastructural developments at the institution.
Contributing, the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Professor Joe Ugboaja, represented by Dr Ezejiofor, observed that the building of the medical students’ hostel has not only given a facelift to the infrastructure aesthetics but has also witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of infrastructure developments at the institution, adding that infrastructure precedes human capital development.
He noted that a strong synergy exists between NAU Awka, led by Professor Anyaehie, and NAUTH under Professor Ugboaja, noting that the former admits medical students while the latter undertakes the training of medical students.
A representative of the Akamiri community that donated the hectares of land for the NAUTH permanent site and Director of Nnewi Museum, Chief Caleb Okeke, appreciated the establishment of a laudable and prestigious institution in his community.
Chief Okeke added that the provision of the 30-room accommodation would enable students to find accommodation within the university community at a considerable cost.
