…as Emir Nuhu Sanusi, BUA CEO, Shinkafi bag honorary degrees
By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
WIFE of Kebi state Governor , Hajiya Dr. Zainab Bagudu Shinkafi has announced an education endowment foundation chair of N5 million for the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies of the Sokoto state University.
Dr. Shinkafi disclosed Saturday shortly after receiving a Post Humours Honorary Degree conferred on her late father, a former NSO Boss and pioneer Pro- Chancellor of the University, late Umaru Ali Shinkafi.
She also declared a price of N350,000 each for best students of Arabic, Islamic studies and political science for three years tuning while N250,000 each for those that emerged best in basic sciences and microbiology respectively.
While commenting further, the Kebbi state First Lady said her late father leaved a life of a true believer and a responsive agent of quality education .
She noted that Sokoto state University was fast on the pedestal of standards with a view to advancing excellence in character and learning.
According to her ” education is a vital tool for sustainable development and societal discipline and therefore, no amount is too much to be invested in the sub sector of the economy”, she said.
Also on the roll was the Director General of the Nigeria Automobile Design Company, Mr Jelani Aliyu who announced a price for the best graduating student in physics.
Receiving the honorary award on behalf of the Chairman and CEO of BUA Group of Companies, Abdulsamad Isiyaka Rabiu, the MD BUA Group of Companies, Engr. Yusuf Haliru Binji noted that Sokoto state was one of its host states and the University remain a rallying point to support .
He however , announced to support the building of state of the art ICT faculty .
According to him, if completed, it will go a long way in encouraging young students to become best competing brains in the field.
Meanwhile , the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Dr. Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi’s installation as the Chancellor of the University heralded the main events lined up for the grand ceremony marking the maiden and combined convocation that graduated 1,473 students from three faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Sciences and Education of the institution with 36 excelling at first class division.
Speaking at the epoch making event that attracted dignitaries , Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar who acknowledged the singular foresight of former Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko in realising his dream of establishing the institution aslo appealed to its authorities and management to consider the establishment of a faculty for Sokoto Caliphate studies.
According to him ” the caliphate has over two hundred books and scholarly works of its founder and leaders which will be of great significance to history and modern development studies.
” It will also avail young ones take advantage of the wisdom and indelible legacies as guide for societal orientation and enrich them with knowledge “, he pointed out.
The revered leader also seized the space by urging the university to work hard inorder maintain academic excellence ” with the number of first class graduates from the school within three years, is an indication of commitment of lecturers and seriousness of the students. We are proud of the end results.
” The Univeraity and in deed Sokoto state should count themselves lucky for having hosted the Vice President as Guest Speaker on this epoch making ceremony. It is a rare but historic experience which will go down on record because many institutions could not secure that privilege “, he said as he congratulated the graduands , parents and the university .
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Sank Dangoggo
said the giant strides being recorded by the university was due largely to the facilities, staff and personal commitment to service in addition to the existing functional faculties and library facility.
This has given room for the institution to excel in producing competitive graduates as Sani Salisu Taura of 2017 set and was able to secure scholarship for masters at the prestigious Africa University of Science and Technology, Abuja.
Dangoggo further highlighted the priority given to staff training and retraining by the university in addition to emphasis on Research and Development with no fewer than 63 researches conducted by the university and others that were ongoing across Natural and Physical Sciences.
According to him, the university has a student population of not less than 6617
an indication that the institution is growing.
” We have embraced some strategic approaches to sustainable growth plan for long, short and medium terms benefit to the institution.
” These include the establishment of more undergraduate programmes while awaiting resource visitation tour by the NUC”, he disclosed.
Attendants at the grand combine convocation ceremony included, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state, Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Umar Farouk Bn Muhammad, former Minister, Ahmed Mohammed Gusau, Senator Aliyu Wamakko represented by Ambassador Sahabi Isah Gada, Senator Ila Gada, former Governor Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Representative Ahmed Kalambaina, former Ambassador of Nigeria to South Africa, Shehu Malami among other personalities, politicians and members of the business community.
