By Mahdi Waziri Isa
Kano State Governor, Engineer Abbah Kabir Yusuf, has pledged to play a pivotal role in preserving and upgrading the obsolete Infrastructure of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, which symbolises the enduring legacy of its founder – Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto – the first Premier of the northern region.
The Governor who hosted the Vice-chancellor of the Premier University, Professor Adamu Ahmed, recently, in his office in Kano, during a courtesy visit, said as one of those that Almighty Allah chose, out of many, and entrusted them with the responsibility of leadership, it behoves on them to work assiduously, and within their power to develop the north, especially educationally, as envisaged by the late Sardauna.
The Governor stressed that Ahmadu Bello University which is the first University in northern Nigeria that gave birth to almost all Universities in the region, and still training and churning out leaders in all areas of endeavours, spread all over the country, must be supported by all discerning and patriotic stakeholders in the country.
Reacting on the dilapidated state of infrastructure in the University, almost all of which were constructed more than 60 years ago, the governor assured the Vice-chancellor that his administration is determined to upgrade some of these infrastructures to the standard befitting ideal and modern University.
He said this determination is achievable for many reasons including the fact that a good number of his cabinet members are Alumni of the great University which he believes will ensure that his pledge to support the university will be implemented.
Responding, the Vice-chancellor thanked the governor for the reception and for his determination to upgrade the University’s infrastructure.
Professor Adamu described the Governor as a humble man of his words and who the University community believes that his intervention will have a tremendous impact in the University.
The Vice-chancellor who expressed the University’s readiness to partner with the state government in any way the governor felt necessary, solicited for the governor’s support to help the university.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, briefed the governor on the institution’s effort towards securing its landed properties in Kano and other parts of the country.
Prof Ahmed also told Governor Yusuf that the university would celebrate its 63rd anniversary on 4th October, 2025.
ABU, according to him, was determined to work together with key stakeholders with a view to mobilising broader regional support for the university.
He also said the university would love to have its footprints in Kano State being the largest economy in the north.
The Vice-Chancellor, who described Governor Yusuf as a humble leader, sympathised with him and the Kano government over the recent security breach near the Government House.
He commended the governor for his tremendous achievements, especially in the areas of physical planning, education, and health care development.
Prof Ahmed also appreciated the state Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon Abduljabbar Umar Muhammad, for his support to the University