NUGA 2008: Offered To Construct Sports Complex For The Host

University of Nigeria, Nsukka’s drive to raise funds to host the 22nd edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) is yielding positive response from corporate Nigeria.
Already, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. Chairman of Globacom Limited has thrown a lifeline to the foremost university east of the Niger, pledging to build a sports complex worth N600m before the November date for the commencement of the 2008 NUGA sports fiesta.
Professor Ndi Okereke Onyiuke, Director General of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, who also doubles as chairman of the NUGA 2008 Fund Raising Committee, revealed at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday that apart from the gesture from Dr. Adenuga, Renaissance Capital Nigeria Limited has also offered to construct an Olympic size swimming pool towards ensuring the school hosts a successful Games.
“Also we have received another offer from the GTBank to build volleyball courts as well as all the directional signs to help visitors to the university find their ways round the complex,” stressed the Fund Raising Committee boss.
Although Prof. Okereke-Onyiuke admitted that there were other offers in line for the hosting, she called on corporate Nigeria to join hands to help UNN raise the N5 billion it requires to upgrade facilities at the university.
“It is heart warming to note that NUGA has brought about a strategic partnership between the government and the organised private sector whereby the latter regards its support for NUGA as an extension of its Community Social Responsibility (CSR),” observed NSE boss.
While listing some of the benefits open to the Organised Private Sector, who sponsor the 2008 NUGA sports fiesta, Prof. Okereke-Onyiuke revealed that she has secured tax exemption for the value of the sponsorship from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Vice-chancellor of UNN Prof. Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo, who restated the determination of his university to host a very successful event, assured that with the support of the OPS, “UNN will deliver on its promise.”
Apart from universities from the West African sub region who are coming to Nsukka as non scoring participants, over 70 universities in the country are going to be part of the sports fiesta. Over 20,000 students are going to compete for honours in 15 different sports.