Validation Lecture: guests, varsity dons/community shower encomiums on Professor Bala Mohammed as his glorious tenure as VC NSUK winds up

By Samuel Torlumun

For making Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) the fastest growing varsity in Sub-Sahara Africa, most cosmopolitan state university in Nigeria, most peaceful state university in Nigeria, most student friendly institution, strict adherence to due process and transparency, infrastructural development, expansion of academic programmes, strategic partnerships among other numerous titivating inroads, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor, NSUK got what he deserved.

The Validation Lecture, held at the university main campus on Friday was an acknowledgement of a record breaking excellent performance of an administration that has only one month to exit. Top government functionaries, vice chancellors of other universities, other heads of higher institutions of learning, university dons, students and entire university community came together to pay tribute to a man who’s extreme hardwork and ingenuity have braced the trail.

For, Commissioner of Education, Nasarawa State, Hon. John Mamman who represented Nasarawa State Government, it is an appreciation for all that the VC has done for the university, and by extension, the people of the state, and indeed Nigerians. According to Mamman, the quantum of development witnessed under Prof. Mohammed’s administration is indelible, adding that the state government and its people are happy because, the administration has lived the dreams of the founding fathers of the university.

“The VC is a straight forward man that is why he has been successful. University community is the most difficult to govern, and if you are not transparent, you will have serious resistance. We will greatly miss him, but that is the reality. As the Bible says, there is time for everything; time to come and time to exit” he said.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion Professor Shehu Abdulrahman, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lafia (FULafia) said Professor Mohammed has proven that he came prepared for the job, and with confidence, competence and ingenuity, he delivered. He pointed out that, despite lack of accountability inherent in many Nigerian universities, the VC’s leadership style has proven otherwise.

Professor Abdulrahman noted that having served in various capacities under the VC, he is not surprised of what he has seen.

In his presentation, Yakubu Ochefu, Professor of Economic History and Development Studies, Benue State University, Makurdi, and the Secretary General CVC noted that because of quality leadership, today, Nasarawa State University is the most cosmopolitan state university in Nigeria, adding that the university has the capacity to deliver value.

Professor Ochefu who captioned his presentation: How Does a Homo Academicus Herd Cat? Leadership Agility and Accountability in Nigerian University in the Era 4.0 reeled what it takes to lead successfully institutions of higher learning in this contemporary generation.

Accordingly, Hassan Liman SAN spoke on behalf of VC school mates. Tracing their school relationship dated back to 1976 in Government Secondary School, the legal luminary thanked God for giving their mate opportunity to go this far and also thanked Nasarawa State Government for giving him the opportunity to serve the people in the capacity of a Vice Chancellor.

“Within five years, he transformed this university to one of the best and fastest growing in the Sub-Sahara Africa. We are proud of this university” he stated.

The impact of Professor Mohammed’s administration has gone beyond the walls of the university. His coming onboard unified heads of tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State. Dr. Musa Yahaya Maikafi, Rector, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia said that the understanding between the university and his institution has helped in the transformation of the college.

Speaking on behalf of Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State, the Rector attested that the VC is instrumental to the unity of purpose among heads of tertiary institution which has brought development to individual institutions. “VC is among leaders who I have been following his steps. There is a lot to be learnt from his leadership style” he stated.

In the area of fight against corruption, the VC fought corruption in the institution to a stand-still, through strict adherence to due process as stated by Professor Inuwa Musa, the Vice Chancellor of ANAN University, Kwali. He noted that through policies like ‘see something, say something,’ the culture of transparency and accountability is enshrined.