News Editor
By David Odama
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has given reasons why his administration awarded Scholarships to 92 indegenous students of Phoenix University, are first private Institution located in the state.
Governor said at the first matriculation and conferment of a doctorate degree, honoris causa and investiture of the Chancellor, Dr. Muhammadu Indimi in Agwada, Nasarawa State that first indigenous university in Nasarawa State, it was incumbent on him to support successive generations to access education.
“I have several reasons for this scholarships to be awarded:; . Firstly, this is the first Indigenous university that we have in Nasarawa State. So, if the government of Nasarawa State does not support it, no one will, . Therefore, So it incumbent on us to support the institution today and tomorrow to grow and provide a classical education to our people and Nigerians at large.
My second reason is that I also come from a humble background. I did not come from a rich home but I went all the way to the university in America. So, I have no reason whatsoever not to give scholarships. We will continue to support you on that and by the grace of God, you will be successful,” said Sule while congratulating the matriculant on their academic journey.
Governor Sule while recognizing the quality of infrastructure put in place for smooth teaching and learning, called on the students to take full advantage of these structures to advance their pursuits.
“When I visited this university for the first time as the guest of honour, I had the opportunity of being taken to some places we were not taken today. Number is your lab. You have one of the most complicated and sophisticated labs. Being a technical person myself,
“I always look forward to a lab where we can do all our chemical analyses properly both chemistry and physics. We are a state of solid mineral, I see a lab where you have the opportunity to carry out a true analysis and be able to come out with chemical solutions that you will be able to find.
When I went to the ICT depart and I saw all the ideas, initiatives about Artificial Intelligence, AI, I got so excited and I said this is going to go far,” the governor said, advising that the Institution should partner with the existing State and Federal universities in the State.
“I want to call on the benefiting students to be serious. Nasarawa State is not one of the wealthiest states, but for us to give scholarships to 92 students, it showed that you have to be the best that you can be.
On his part, Professor Ibrahim Gambari explained that the young Institution which is dependent on the Visitors, (senator Abdullahi Adamu) for its development, it has already broken new grounds and is scoring first in putting relevant facilities in place to achieve its mandate.
“We are a new university but we are special already, in the sense that we have hit the ground running. You see, some universities, even Federal universities not talk of private universities started with few students, very few facilities for classrooms, but the young Institution is already housing the staff, ICT and library which would have been coming in bits and pieces”
“We hit the ground running, we already had everything in place before admitting our first set of students. I want to thank senator Abdullahi Adamu, the Visitor, for ensuring that the university is brought to a rural area to open up the space for social interactions”
“We are the first university to be this close to the primary functions of a university, Whereas some wait for the gown, we have brought gown to the town,” the former diplomat and chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari declared.
In his response while receiving a doctorate degree, honoris causa, Dr Indimi praised the vision of Dr Abdullahi Adamu in setting the instruction in its location. and pledged to continue to support the institution in its quest to succeed in its objectives.
In his speech, Dr. Abdullahi Adamu expressed appreciation for seeing the university begin academic work. He equalled the feeling to that of a parent partaking in the arrival of a first child.
“Very few things in life please a man than when he witnesses the birth of his first child. As a father and grandfather that I am, I am sufficiently experienced to tell of all the excitement that occupies the first cry of a newborn baby. That is the type of excitement that I feel as I address you today.
“On the occasion of the investiture of the first chancellor and matriculation ceremony of our pioneer students, the establishment of institutions of learning has always been a calling for me. I know the transformative power of education. My lifelong quest has always been to invest in education.
“It is an asset that has enduring value and the knowledge acquired therein can never be taken away from the beneficiary. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdullahi Bala encouraged the students to enmesh themselves in learning, taking advantage of relevant curriculum and qualified teachers”.
“The opportunity of being trained with a dynamic and fit-for-purpose curriculum for the 21st Century delivered by qualified, skilled and experienced faculty. The curriculum is deliberately designed to produce students who are global players and who shall graduate with at least three certificates – one for the course of study, another for entrepreneurship and innovation and the third for professional certification.
Additionally, all the faculty are PhD holders who have the requisite skills and experience for top quality curriculum design and delivery fit for purpose of 21st Century needs.” The academic implored them to devote adequate time to their studies.
