By Hussaini Yero, Gusau
The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian universities to be at the forefront in the fight against corruption, as institutions of learning.
Tinubu made the call at the second combined 3rd and 4th convocation ceremonies of the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS) which was held in Gusau on Saturday.
The President who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Lawal Bilbis said universities as centres of learning and shaping the critical thinking of people, especially the youths need to take the lead in fighting corruption and other social vices.
He said, his administration had increased budgetary allocations to the Education, Defense, Humanitarian and Health sectors because of the importance it attached to them.
He assured the government of commitment to bringing the perpetrators of student abduction and all other criminals to book, and will not relent in its effort to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the country.
The president promises more infrastructure in the public universities to provide a conducive learning environment for students and staff.
He commiserated with the abducted students of the universities, their families and the university community.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gusau (FUGUS) Prof. Muazu Abubakar said, the university had recorded numerous successes during the period under review.
They included; full accreditation of 28 programs in four faculties, execution of nine projects, establishment of post-graduate school and awarding scholarships to 190 staff of the university.
He said despite the achievement he was also confronted with the two major challenges of finding and insecurity. While appealing to security agencies to put more effort toward addressing the crime of banditry and kidnappings for ransom.
The Vice-Chancellor also called on politicians, philanthropists and nongovernmental organizations to assist the university with more funds to enable it to fulfil its mandate of teaching, research and community service.
Also speaking at the event Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara said he is determined to educate the entire children of the state, considering that education was the enabler which provided space and opportunity for easy social mobility in the world.
“We all agree that the bulk of insecurity and other challenges we face are connected with the low level of education among our people.
“To reverse the rot our government has declared a state of emergency on education and we will continue to deploy substantial resources to the sector so that every child in the state is educated”. He said.
“My administration has awarded contracts for the renovation and rehabilitation of the basic and post-basic schools across the state”. Lawal added.
He maintained that the state government with its limited resources would continue to render a helping hand to the university, “our objective is to grow education in the state to create access and space for our younger generation”.
The governor took time to congratulate the university, and all the graduates, their families and friends and looked forward to a brighter future.
