By: Haja Hawa Koroma
The newly constructed Tunde Cole Building was officially launched and commissioned by President Julius Maada Bio at the shores of Fourah Bay College on the 18th July 2022, and was estimated to be worth around 2 million United Dollars.
The said edifice was constructed by Ing. Alhaji Mohamed Babatunde Cole, an Alumni of FBC who saw the constraints some students of the FBC are faced with and decided to build this establishment as a way of not only giving back to his Alma mater but also to help ease students constrains and to ensure they enjoy quality educational pursuit at the FBC.
The two-in-one building has been under construction for the past 18 months and the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio has officially unveiled them.
In his keynote address, the President stated that for over a century Sierra Leone has been called the Athens of West Africa because Sierra Leone provided superior, quality higher education. And Sierra Leone has produced some of the best scholars, researchers, philosophers and public servants all over Africa.
He added that some of these good citizens have been helping in making Sierra Leone a better country in diverse ways. And Ing Cole being one of these people have not only helped in making Sierra Leone a better place by this act but has also shown sign of true patriotism. The President stated that this is what good citizenship is all about, to help build the nation and bring glory to it.
President Bio mentioned that it was an intentional act when his Government chose ‘Human Capital’ as its flagship program. Because education is the only tool that can be used to build a brighter future. He encourages every citizen to follow in the footsteps of people like Ing Tunde who don’t sit around to bash the government, instead asking them what they can do to make it a better place and indeed putting in efforts to make it a better place.
He rendered his sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr Babatunde Cole for his altruistic act in putting out billions of Leones into establishing these Buildings as he has helped students to overcome some of the major hardships and constraints that they are faced with on campus.
Ing. Babatunde Cole said that he decided to put up this construction after hearing the sad stories of the students of the Engineering Department at FBC, pointing out their constraints in having access to classrooms for Lectures and other necessities on the college campus.
He felt sympathetic towards their plight and without thinking of the costs vouched to put up a building that’ll not only solve their problems but will also give them access to quality education worthy of foreign university standards.
He mentioned that these buildings can take up to 720 students and the classrooms are equipped with white boards and projectors. The facilities and gadgets that these buildings are equipped with are programmed to meet the facilities of foreign campuses.
Ing Babatunde Cole stated that the ‘Tunde Cole Buildings’ should serve as an inspiration to other Alumni to give back to the university because that’s how they can help the university to grow and maintain its standards. He encourages the students of the Engineering Department to share the buildings with their colleagues as the FBC thrives on unity and togetherness.
Ing. Tunde Cole extended his thanks and appreciation to God almighty, and his wife and kids for their relentless support throughout the construction. He also extended his thanks and appreciation to all those who took part in the successful completion of the establishment.
The students were filled with excitement and enthusiasm as they demonstrated this with songs and chants of accolades for President Bio and the philanthropist, Ing. Mohamed Babatunde Cole.
