The TY Danjuma family has donated a second ultramodern girls’ hostel to the University of Benin and laid the foundation for a boys’ hostel, continuing their significant contributions to the university.
The family of retired Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, former Minister of Defence, has made a significant contribution to the University of Benin (UNIBEN) by donating another ultramodern girls’ hostel. This marks the second such donation in just 15 months.
During the inauguration ceremony held in Benin on Wednesday, the family’s matriarch, Daisy Danjuma, expressed that the family feels a deep sense of gratitude toward the university. Mrs. Danjuma, represented by Andy Ehanire, Managing Director of Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park, praised the university for awarding honorary doctoral degrees to both the former minister and his wife.
In addition to the new girls’ hostel, the Danjuma family has laid the foundation for a boys’ hostel at the university. Reflecting on the first hostel donation, Mrs. Danjuma recalled the heartfelt request made by the UNIBEN Students’ Union President for the family not to overlook the male students. This plea inspired the family to also support the construction of a boys’ hostel, with hopes that both projects could progress simultaneously.
UNIBEN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, praised the Danjuma family’s commitment to the development of the girl-child, as reflected in the new building named after Senator Daisy Danjuma. Salami expressed admiration for Mrs. Danjuma’s generosity, remarking on her continuous efforts to make a positive impact on humanity.
Salami also noted that the university was initially skeptical about the project’s timeline, as the first donation had been completed in just 14 months. The swift delivery of the second hostel exceeded expectations, especially after Mrs. Danjuma made the promise during the first hostel’s inauguration, which was officiated by Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on April 29, 2023.
In celebration of Mrs. Danjuma’s 72nd birthday, the university is once again the beneficiary of her philanthropy, with the promise of a third hostel. Salami humorously speculated that by the time Mrs. Danjuma turns 90, UNIBEN might be filled with hostels bearing her name.
The Vice-Chancellor added that if she were still a student at UNIBEN, she would eagerly reside in one of these hostels, which are equipped with 24-hour solar-powered electricity and consistent water supply from a borehole. Salami concluded by expressing the university’s pride in the Danjuma family, acknowledging their contributions as signature landmarks on campus.
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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, DAILY NIGERIA