As part of the World Bank’s supervision mission to the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) project, a Health Expert from the Association of African Universities (AAU), Dr. Michelle Niescierenko, has paid a visit to the Centre for Reproductive Health and Innovation (CERHI) at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
Welcoming the visitor, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Osasere Orumwense, expressed pleasure at the visit. He informed the team of CERHI’s progress, saying that the Centre had garnered a lot of support from partner-institutions. The Vice-Chancellor appealed for the Bank’s continued support to the Centre and pledged his administration’s commitment to the success of the ACE project in the University.
In her remarks, Dr. Niescierenko thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the warm reception accorded her. She told him that the World Bank was committed to the improvement of reproductive health in Africa and Nigeria, in particular. While commending the Vice-Chancellor for his efforts at developing the University, Dr. Niescierenko urged him to continue to provide an enabling environment for the sustainability of the ACE project.
Centre Leader, CERHI, Professor Okonofua, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his commitment to the Centre. He commended him for the manner in which the University had taken ownership of the Project as well as his efforts to ensure the success of CERHI. Professor Okonofua stated that the aim of the visit by the World Bank was to monitor the progress of the Project and advise the Centre on how to access funds and sustain the project as well as other important issues.
The visit was followed by an inspection of the CERHI Secretariat, which was designed by the University’s Department of Physical Planning and where construction work was still on-going. The ground-breaking/foundation laying ceremony of the CERHI Secretariat had earlier taken place at the site, near the University’s College of Medical Sciences. It was witnessed by the Centre Leader, representing the Vice-Chancellor. Others present were the University’s Director, Physical Planning, Arc. Ikhisemoje; CERHI’s Coordinator, Professor J. U. Onakewhor as well as principal officers of the University and the Centre.