By Samson Yaki
The Provost Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Professor Faruk Rashid Haruna, has been elected the President Committee of Provosts in Nigeria, succeeding Dr. Mike Dio of College of Education, zing,Taraba State who completed the tenure of Dr. Pongry Johnson of College of Education, Hong. Adamawa State.
Professor Haruna, who was the immediate past Vice President of the committee, won the keenly contested election with a wide margin.
Born on October 30th 1963, Professor Haruna hails from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State.
Professor Faruk, whose passion for teaching career was glaringly visible from the unset of his academic pursuit, did not stagger in any way on the path of destiny.
He started climbing the academic ladder at Magagin Rafi Primary School, Sokoto from 1969 to 1975.
He then went to Dogo Teachers College, Dogo between 1976 and 1981, where he began to set his foot on the path of teaching profession.
His desire further catapulted him to College of Education Mina where he obtained his NCE (PHC) in 1985 and later Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained B.Ed (PHE) in 1987.
He later bagged his M.Sc. and PhD in Exercise and Sport Science in 1991 and 1998 respectively.
Professor Faruk Rashid Haruna joined the services of Ahmadu Bello University in 1989 and rose through the ranks to become a professor in 2007.
This Wakilin Makarantun Zazzau Suleja and Majidadin Doko has had a life weaved in service for the country and humanity.
He started as Coaching Assistant (Badminton) Niger State Sports Council, Minna1981-82, then Government Secondary School, Bakin-Kogi (NYSC Class Teacher) 1987-1988.
He was also a Higher Coach (Badminton) Niger State Sports Council, Minna ,1988-89.
In ABU, he was Director of Sports, 1998-2009.
As destiny began to unfold itself to professor Haruna, he was appointed Provost, Niger State College of Education, Minna between 2009-2017,
Vice chancellor, Niger State University of Education, Minna, 2017-2017, and presently Provost, Federal College of Education, Kontagora since 2018.
At different times of his life, professor Haruna has held several appointments.
He was Ambassador for peace, United Nations – Polac, 13th December 2014 and Director for Education for united Nigeria Chaplaincy Institute of Peace Academy, Nigeria 24th September 2016 and many others.
The Professor of Exercise is not left behind in his membership of academic and professional bodies.
He is a Member, Nigerian Association of Physical, Health Education and Recreation (NAPHER), Nigerian Association of Sports Science and Medicine (NASSM) and Executive Member, Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Council (Ex-Officio) 2000.
He also belongs to Badminton Federation of Nigeria where he served as Chairman, Technical Committee between 2000 – 2009.
He served as Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Nigerian University Games Association (JONUGA) 2005 – 2009, as well as Member, International Council for Health, Physical Education Recreation, Sport, and Dance (ICHPER. SD) among others.
Having emerged as the President Committee of Provosts in Nigeria, this embodiment of academics is undoutedly the man fit for the task of the moment-a time that Nigerian education system is on a verge of collapsing, enmeshed in incesant industrial actions.
Though this career Teacher/Educationist is the one that the cap fits at the moment; but then it could be his best of time and worst of time as “uneasy lies the head that wears the crown”.