The German government in collaboration with a Germany-based woodwork company, Hecht Electronic AG, is collaborating with the Niger State College of Education in setting up a centre of excellence for the manufacture of high-quality furniture in the institution.
The centre, which will be the first of its kind in Africa when established, will cost both the German government, HECHT Electronic AG and the college the sum of N212.5 million (€618,000).
The German government and the electronic firm will jointly contribute €400,000 (N137.4million) while the college will make available, a counterpart fund of €100,000 (N34.2million) for the first phase of the project, which will cover the construction of a classroom block and workshop for the production of high quality furniture, training of five academic staff of the college in Belarus and in Nigeria after the installation of the machines.
Provost of the college, Professor Farouk Abdulraheed Haruna while receiving a member of the advisory board of HECHT Electronic AG, Mr. Gunter Hecht, who was in the college to inspect the project site said that the centre when established will not only contribute to knowledge, but will serve as a revenue earner for the college as it will undertake commercial furniture production. The Guardian
