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By our reporter
Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Bako Lalong was among eminent personalities that were conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees at the 4th combined Convocation ceremony of the Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai (IBBUL)
While Governor Lalong was bestowed with the Doctorate Degree of Administration (Honoris Causa), former Governor of Kano State and elder statesman Col. Sani Bello, Chairman BUA Group, Abdulsamad Isiyaku Rabiu and Chairman Urban Shelter Ibrahim Aliyu also received Doctorate Degrees in various areas.
This was contained in a statement by Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State to Apex News Exclusive.
Speaking at the event, the Governor said it is a humbling experience for him and fellow awardees who have been considered worthy of this rare gesture.
He thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for the awards saying it is a motivation for them to do more in service to humanity.
He commended Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State who as Visitor to the University has done a lot to improve the quality of teaching, research and indeed the fortunes of the University.
He said “As Visitor to the Plateau State University Bokkos in the last 8 years, I understand the challenges associated with managing State universities which are filling a great gap that existed in the search for higher education in the country.
Despite the challenges of funding, State universities have proven to be resilient and capable of competing with their peers around the country and the world at large”.
He said when he came into office, the State University was closed down by the immediate past Governor Jonah Jang. However, he reopened the University and put it back to the path of growth and development.
“Today, we are proud of our achievements having graduated many students and organised 7 Convocations. Recently, the University added 5 new faculties of Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Law, Agriculture and Education. The School of Post Graduate Studies has also taken off while a Teaching Hospital has been earmarked in Shendam and is nearing completion. As we exit in a few days, we are leaving behind a very vibrant University” he said.
While commending IBBUL for the giant strides attained over the years, Lalong said education remains the best way to remove ignorance, fight poverty and uproot barriers to peaceful coexistence.
He challenged Nigerian Universities especially in the North to focus on technology and skill development as the region is full of resources that are yet to be harnessed for the benefit of the people.
He said through the efforts of the Northern Governors Forum, oil and gas exploration has commenced in the region which requires expertise.
Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and Visitor to the University said the University has steadily grown and is making waves in research within and outside the country.
He said his administration has invested a lot of funds in both physical infrastructure and manpower development to ensure that the University sustains its performance and rating as one of the best in the country.
He congratulated the graduands whom he said have done well and persevered to study and graduate with the capacity to contribute to national development.
Chancellor of the University and Emir of Minna Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago said the University has been making efforts in expanding its capacity for teaching and research in areas that are critical to the development of the State and nation at large.
Vice Chancellor of IBBUL Prof. Abdul Kassim said the University has grown not only in student population, but in infrastructure and manpower.
He said over the years, there has been breakthrough research that have put the institution in the limelight and also attracted grants.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated the support of the State Government as well as friends of the University who have done well to assist the school in various ways.
Governor Lalong later commissioned a road in Mai Kunkele Local Government Secretariat in Minna constructed by the administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.
