By ADAH SUNDAY, Abuja
The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has announced N1 million start-up capital each for 33 overall best graduating students of the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK).
Governor Sule made the donation while presenting his address as the Visitor at the school’s 7th convocation held on its campus in Keffi on Saturday, 27 May, 2023.
“Personally, I want to tell all the 33 students who got first class that every one of you will actually have a starting package of N1 million so that you can continue to go from that direction,” the Governor said.
He hinted of his government’s resolve to further raise the bar of the state’s education standard by employing additional 1,000 teachers, calling on those graduating from the Faculty of Education to show interest as they would be given preference, especially those with first and second class degrees.
“We have just conducted and completed our baseline survey of education and, in addition to the 2500 and the 3000 teachers that we have employed, we’re also looking at employment I know that 1000 teachers to strengthen our education in Nasarawa State University.
“I want on call those from the Faculty of Education to show interest in that, and you will be given a special preference, especially those of you with first class and second class, to be part of the education system and to grow it,” he said, calling also on those from those from the Faculty of Agriculture, Environmental Sciences to take advantage of the employment opportunities presented by the Sugar Plantation to be built on the University campus by the Dangote Group.
He enjoined them “to understand that today we have the Dangote Group that is building the sugar plantation. And in addition, we have the Farrow Africa also that is looking at 20,000 acres, as well as the Azman of flowers. I want you to please show interest in that area because they will be very interested in engaging some of you”.
He said: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is imperative to emphasise that education remains the most enduring legacy we can give to our children in view of the myriad of challenges facing our people. I make bold to say that no amount of investment and sacrifice can be too much to provide quality education, considering is obvious importance in tackling the menace of insecurity and other vices. It is for this reason that we have sustained commitment to education sector since our assumption of all office.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, while commending the efforts of my predecessor for keeping the dream alive, and for nurturing the State University to these enviable height, so as to take his rightful place among the world class universities, not only in Nigeria, but in Africa and the world at large, I need to place on record that our administration shall continue to build on the enviable legacies of our predecessors to sustain the strides so far achieved. It is for this reason that I will to stay with pride that I need to state with pride that since the year 20 20, the budgetary allocation to education in Nasarawa State has consistently been above the UNESCO benchmark. This is in our desire to transform the educational landscape for the good people of our state. Based on this conviction, we have adopted a multi-prung approach to addressing the dounting challenges threatening the development of the education in the state. I wish to categorically state that the university is a priority project for our own commitment.
“This administration within four years of our stewardship has provided so many things as already indicated and I don’t need to repeat both by the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor. I need to add that the development of education is not just in the university. We have also embarked on aggressive construction and upgrading of physical structure of primary and secondary schools in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as well as sustainable development goals. Our modest effort in this direction has created tremendous impact in the welfare and the well being of our teachers, pupils and students.
“In addition, we’re also focusing on capacity building and improvement of the quality of the hard and software that will facilitate the delivery of the set objectives and ICT driven education system. I assure you that within the renewed mandate, we shall more in the years ahead Insha Allah.
“It is pertinent to state that government will continue to take measures towards addressing the daunting challenges facing this university in order to facilitate the attainment of its noble mission and vision.”
He charged the graduating students at the various levels to remain good ambassadors of the University in their future endeavours, urging them to strive towards building communities, the nation, and humanity in general.
“It is my belief that the knowledge and skill which you have acquired during your studies will be necessary tools towards accelerating your career development and adding value to the technological, industrial economic development of our country.
“I charge you to bear in mind that the certificates you have received today is more than mere meal tickets. In other words, you are living in this arena, with letters of credence as ambassadors of our state university to any part of the world in which you may eventually find yourselves, hence it behoves on you to fly the banner of honor and integrity. Of your alma mater.
“As worthy Ambassadors at all times, no matter the circumstances, you must go and build communities, the nation and humanity as a whole. You are expected to give back to the society in equal measure and even much more in return to the society. Despite all the challenges, the society does not expect anything less from you, as it were. The onus is on you to prove your mettle,” the Governor noted.
The Governor while congratulating the just graduated students commended and congratulated the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, the Vice Chancellor (popularly called the Buffalo Soldier) for their ‘selfless’ dedication to the growth and development of the University in leaps and bounds.
He said: “Let me commend the selfless contributions of the Vice Chancellors particularly the comrade Vice Chancellor, professor Adamu Baiki, who’s the first comrade before the current comrade Vice Chancellor, who is now the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council. We must appreciate you for availing your wealth of experience in the academic industry towards the progress and development of the University since its inception. I must say that in spite of your age, you have remained committed in the service of this university. We deeply appreciate you sir and we thank you sincerely.
“I need to also commend the Buffalo Soldier, Vice Chancellor Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, under whose watch the university is towing on the path of accelerated growth and development. It is my hope and expectation that you will continue to bring to bear your wealth of experience in order to make the most of our state university to continue to compete with other high profile universities and this is our dream and we shall achieve it insh Allah.