By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to improve the quality of education and foster intellectual growth across the country.
The president, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, stated this on Saturday during the 24th Combined Convocation ceremony of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).
He congratulated all the Professor Emiretus and distinguished Nigerians that were honoured by the University for their various contributions and support to humanity and the institution.
He called on wealthy individuals and corporate organizations to continue to support tertiary institutions in the country as government alone can not cater for the responsibilities of education.
He urged students to shun any act that will jeopardize their academic activities in school.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State in his remark, congratulated the distinguished Nigerians honoured, describing them honour as well deserved while appreciating the University management abd governing council for their decision.
He also felicitated with the Chancellor of the university, Professor emireti and graduands of the university for their successful graduation and pledged to continue to support the students and school authority within its limited resources as an alumnus.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba has appealed to the federal government to address the University’s underfunding while appreciating the various interventions of the federal government through TETFund.
He stressed that the institution need more financial support for running cost, pointing out that the present level of support is inadequate which has compelled the University to increase students charges recently.
Professor Shugaba also called on the federal government and governments of the north east region to assist parents and students by providing adequate scholarships support to cover their charges., noting that, investment in the education of the students is the guarantee of their future, development and peace.
He appealed to the federal government to also reconsider its decision of collecting 40% of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the universities as tax, explaining that the IGR in question are largely charges paid by students for specific services.
The Chancellor of the University, who is the Emir of Lafia, HRH, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad was conferred with honorary doctorate, while three professors were also conferred with Professor Emireti and four Nigerians honoured with honorary doctorate degrees of letters, science and art
They are Professor Emiretus Mustapha Abubakar, Professor Emiretus Bamidele Rotimi Badejo and Professor Emiretus Mohammed Yerima Balla.
The University also honoured four distinguished Nigerians, namely,, Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, Shehu of Borno, Alh. Abubakar Garbai Ibn Umar El Kanemi, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman, BUA Group of Companies and Dr. Dahiru Bobbo, the Dan Madamin Adamawa, who is also the second registrar of the university, elder statesman and philanthropist for their various contributions and support to humanity and the institution.
The Vice President also commissioned school multi billion naira projects such as the Abdulsamad Rabiu International Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship which was constructed and donated to the University by the CEO of BUA International Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu.
Dignitaries who attended the event include: SFG, Sen. George Akume, Governors and representatives of Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe, Adamawa and Bauchi states, Alh. Mohammed Indimi, Chairman Oriental Energy Resources, Alh. Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman BUA Group, and Dr. Dahiru Bobbo, who is also the Dan Madamin Adamawa and former Registrar of University of Maiduguri.
Others include Ministers, National Assembly members, BISHA members, SEC, Security Chiefs, Shehu of Borno, His Eminence, Alh. Dr. Abubakar Garbai Ibn Umar El kanemi, Emir of Fika, HRH, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Abali, Emir of Bichi, Alh. Nasiru Ado Bayero, Emir of Nasarawa, Alh. Mohammed Usman Jibrin, Emirs of Shani, Biu as well as Shehu of Dikwa, Shehu of Bama among other personalities.
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