A former President of the Student Union Government, SUG, at the Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Saleh Nurudeen Bashar, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the bill converting the institution into a full-fledged university.
Mr Nurudeen-Bashar, who led the student union during the 2011/2012 session, made the commendation in a statement he sent to DAILY NIGERIAN on Thursday.
According to him, President Buhari deserves the accolade for taking the bold step to uplift the standard of the prestigious citadel of learning.
The former student union leader, therefore, expressed optimism that the gesture will improve and enhance academic excellence and also provide opportunities to the teeming applicants of tertiary education in the country.
He said: “Indeed it has become necessary to lend my voice in appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the bold step he took in approving the conversion of the prestigious citadel of learning Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH YOLA)Yola to a full Conventional university in Nigeria (Modibbo Adama University, Yola).
“This gesture no doubt reiterated his determination to improve and enhance academic excellence and also provide opportunities to the teeming applicants of tertiary education in Nigeria.
“More so, it will provide more opportunities for our teeming graduates and the informal sectors of the economy to be gainfully employed.
“The conversion will see to the establishment of more additional faculties that will offer professional courses such as medicine, law and other science and social sciences courses that are of high demand in the present 21st century.”
While describing the struggle for the actualisation of the university’s conversion as a collective one that received the blessings of well-meaning Nigerians, Mr Nurudeen-Bashar particularly commended Senator Aisha Binani for initiating the Bill.
He said: “The struggle was no doubt a collective one that received the blessings of well-meaning Nigerians that are in support of the growth and development of education in the country.
“However, my appreciation will not be complete without recognizing the efforts of the initiator of the bill, Senator Aisha Binani and the leadership of the National Assembly ably led by Senate President Ahmad Lawan for the expeditious passage of the bill and the onward transmission to the President for his assent.
“This no doubt signifies the resolve of the National Assembly to legislate on bills that will guarantee Nigeria’s sustainable development.”
Mr Nurudeen-Bashar also commended the governing board of the university, including the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Liman Tukur for keeping their hopes alive.
“Also worthy of appreciation is First Lady Aisha Muhammadu Buhari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governor Ahmad Umaru Fintiri; the Lamido of Adamawa, HRH Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha; the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and all other critical stakeholders who lend their support in making this milestone achievement a reality,” he added.
