TUNDE BOLAJI – MINNA
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has tasked graduates to make good use of the knowledge acquired, for the development of society.
The governor stated this at the 42nd Convocation Ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and award of Honorary Degree to four distinguished Nigerians including the former Governor of old Kano State, Col.Sani Bello by the institution.
He commended the resilience of the graduands for enduring the academic rigour and appreciated their families as well as all those who contributed to their success academically.
The Governor showered encomium on the awardees for their philanthropic gesture and selfless service to humanity which have earned them recognition, hoping that the award will spur them to do more.
“For the honorees, it is well deserved, I will like to thank the council and the Senate for the award given to the honorees. It is my prayer that this award will encourage them to do more in terms of philanthropic activities”, he said.
He also applauded the efforts of the management and staff of the university for upholding the standard of the university, urging them not to relent.
The Visitor of the University and President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha acknowledged the achievements recorded by the institution in the last 60 years which is inline with its vision and mission.
The President implored the leadership of Nigerian universities to engage in dialogue more in resolving industrial dispute with the government rather than industrial actions.
He congratulated the students and the awardees on the feat achieved as he pledged government resolve to uplift the education sector.
Also speaking, Former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, while congratulating the graduands and the awardees, called for restructuring of the education sector to give attention to entrepreneurship as white-collar jobs were not enough.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Col Sani Bello appreciated the award and honour done to them, promising to continue to support the institution in their different capacities.
Col Bello congratulated the graduands and enjoined them to be innovative by leveraging on opportunities that abound in the society.
He decried the almajiri syndrome that has become a cankerworm in Northern Nigeria and promised to do anything within his capabilities to support the transformation of the almajiri system to a modern one that will accommodate western education.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kabiru Bala said that out of the 35, 758 that graduated, 8,842 were for higher degrees; 869 doctorate degrees; 6,179 for masters; 60 for master of philosophy; and 1, 734 for postgraduate diplomas.
Prof. Bala congratulated the graduands, adding that those awarded with honorary degrees were based on their support to the varsity and track records of helping humanity.
The Chancellor, Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, in his address, said the strikes in the tertiary institutions are setbacks to students which he believes can be avoided through continuous dialogue.
Other awardees by the prestigious university were the former Bursar of the university, Alh Muhammadu Inuwa Jibo, Katsina-based philanthropist, Hajiya Fatima Lami Usman Kurfi, and the Deputy Secretary of the United Nations, Amina Jane Mohammed who was unavoidably absent.
