Gov. Sule Approves N3b TETFUND for NSUK

Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule has approved the sum of N3 billion TETFUND high impact fund aimed at enabling a better learning environment at the Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK).

This was disclosed by the governor while delivering a speech on the occasion of the sixth combined convocation ceremony of the university, in Keffi.

Sule in his speech promised to build on the legacies of his predecessors towards taking NSUK to enviable heights.

Using the opportunity of the event to highlight some of the achievements recorded by his administration.

Sule emphasized that education remains the most enduring legacy that can be given to the children of the state, especially in view of the challenges confronting the nation.

According to him, “No amount of investment and sacrifice can be too much to provide quality education to our people.”

He explained that it was for this reason that his administration has accorded priority attention to education by allocating, not less than 26 and up to 35 percent of the state’s annual budget between 2019 and now.

“It may interest you to note that, in view of our passion, we continue to make personal donations for education.

The Nasarawa State Government has approved the allocation of bail out funds to enable the institution pay staff salaries during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as donated the fertilizer blending plant to the faculty of agriculture of this institution.

“In addition, we facilitated the establishment of the faculty of engineering and college of medicine and health sciences which will commence full academic activities this year,” the Governor stated.

While appreciating the vision and doggedness of the founding fathers of the institution, especially Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, who established the university in 2001, Sule noted that, from its beginnings, NSUK has grown to become one of the most enviable institutions in the country.

“I must also recognise and appreciate the support that the university has continued to enjoy from successive administrations since 2007.

I therefore pledge to build on the enviable legacies of my predecessors, to sustain the strides thus achieved,” he says.

He however pointed out that the success of the university cannot be complete without mentioning the selfless contributions of the former VCs, particularly the pioneer VC, Prof. Adamu Baike, who is presently the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the NSUK governing council.

The Governor further congratulated the graduands, urging them to use their knowledge and skills acquired as potentials for accelerating their career development, as well as add value to the technological, industrial and socioeconomic development of the country.

He equally congratulated the six distinguished Nigerians conferred with the honorary doctorate degrees of the university.

He stressed that the gesture was a manifestation of their enormous contribution to the development of education in the country.

In a goodwill message, special guest of honour at the event, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, commended the university for attaining this feat, twenty years after it was established.

According to the Vice President, NSUK has come a long way, as being demonstrated by the quality of its alumni that have continued to excel in almost every field of human endeavour, which include the immediate past VC of the institution, Prof Mohammed Akaro Mainoma, who is also the current president of the ANAN and Hajiya Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, the current Minister of State for the FCT.

Osinbajo commended Senator Abdullahi Adamu for his bold vision to establish the university, commitment of succeeding administrations, as well as the dedication of the university’s administrative and academic staff.

“Let me also commend the VC, the entire academic and administrative staff, whose hard and sometimes thankless work, has culminated in the momentous celebration of academic excellence and attainment that are here for today,” he said.

He also congratulated both the graduands and six Nigerians conferred with honorary doctorate degrees of the institution, urging the graduands to view their attainment as a portal leading them to their careers that will define the fate of families, of industries, nations and the world at large.

Vice Chancellor of the NSUK, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, in his welcome address says the sixth combined convocation of the institution marks a significant milestone in the history of Nasarawa State university because it coincides with the university’s 20th anniversary.

In a vote of thanks, Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, thanked the management of the institution for finding them worthy of the recognition.

Malami noted that a better society is attainable through quality education, with a better educated society the surest quarantee to overcome the miriads of challenges Nigeria is currently facing.

“Nigeria can attain exponential growth and improved standard of living through functional education,” he stated.

At the event, six distinguished Nigerians received honorary doctorate degrees honori causa from the university. This includes; Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mallam Mele Kyari and Chief Peter Eloka Okocha.