Nico Group gives Luanar girls’ hostel K105m facelift

Nico Holdings plc yesterday handed over Mkunguza Girls Hostel to Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) Bunda Campus whose facelift cost the multi-disciplinary conglomerate K105 million.

Speaking during the handover, Nico Holdings plc managing director Vizenge Kumwenda said it is important that university students should learn, study and sleep in a conducive environment.

He said: “The refurbishment of this hostel is a result of the strategy session we had in May 2022 where a commitment was made to strengthen the relationship between the two institutions.

“Education is the foundation that people base their dreams and aspirations in a conducive environment is good for learning, that’s why we decided to come. We have ensured highest standards, with modern amenities.”

Kumwenda urged the students and the college management to protect and maintain the building with a sense of ownership.

The renovated hostel, which was earlier in a dilapidated state, now wears a new face and has all required amenities such as good lighting and plumbing system as well as showers and modern toilets.

Besides the renovation, Nico Group has also installed two water tanks each with a capacity of 5 000 litres to ensure uninterrupted water supply.

Nico Holdings plc has also installed uninterrupted free Wi-Fi at the 34-room hostel.

In his vote of thanks, Luanar Council chairperson Professor Zachary Kasomekera commended Nico Holdings for the “unwavering commitment to education and dedication in trying to uplift and invest in the future of Malawi”.

He said: “We thank you for your tremendous efforts to move with us to make Luanar a world- class  recognised university. This hostel, like most others here, were built 40 years ago and over time got dilipdated. Such an initiative also encourages social values among the society to take up and give back to society.”

Luanar vice-chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said accommodation is one of the biggest concerns for students and their families, and thanked Nico Holdings for providing a safe environment for the students.

Luanar is one of the country’s five functional public universities. It was created through an Act of Parliament No. 22 of 2011 and started operations on July 1 2012, with the former University of Malawi constituent college Bunda College as the initial institution until Natural Resources College was fully integrated in December 2014.