Yenagoa — The management of Diamond Bank has promised to provide a loan to the tune of N100 million to staff of the Bayelsa State owned Niger Delta University (NDU) to enable them access the capital market and carry out their jobs effectively.

Also, the bank has promised to establish a resource Centre which would be equipped with 30 computers and a work station in order to boost academic activities in the institution, saying the centre would be ready within four months, pending when authorities of the university would make the site available to them.

Divisional Head, South-East of Diamond Bank, Mr. Obinna Uruakpa disclosed this while handing over the keys of a 32-seater coastal bus to the Vice- Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chris Ikporikpo at Amassoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

Uruakpa explained that the donation of the bus was in fulfilment of the institution's promise to partner with the university, saying the promise was not for publicity, but was borne out of a genuine and well thought out commitment to partner with the school, just as he noted that, " how far that relationship would go will depend on the university."

The divisional head who stated that the bank is poised to do business and partner with the institution to ensure a sound learning environment, further pointed out that the bank would establish a mini- branch in the institution, so as to fully make its presence felt; and impact on the lives of the university community.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Chris Ikporikpo pointed out that the gesture of the bank shows that it is a responsible corporate citizen and thanked management of the bank for their belief in the council, senate, staff and students of the university.

Ikporikpo stated that with emphasis that Diamond Bank was the first of such institution to extend such gesture to ensure that the school develops advising them not to rest on their oars; even as he announced that the university endowment fund and its academic prize award would be managed by the bank, adding that in a fortnight the bank would begin to feel the presence of the university.

The Divisional Head, South-East of the bank, Mr. Obinna Uruakpa was accompanied by Group Head, South, Maureen Ngbor and the Yenagoa branch Manager, Diamond bank, Mr. Nengi Ayerite.