By Abdulkareem Haruna
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of science by the Senate of the University of Maiduguri during the university’s 24th combined convocation ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Shettima, a University of Maiduguri alumnus, was among several honorees. The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai Allamin Ibn Elkaneni, received an honorary doctor of science degree. Dahiru Bobo, a former university registrar, was bestowed a doctor of letters degree. Business magnate Abdulsamad Rabiu, a significant benefactor who funded a multi-billion naira innovation and entrepreneurship center, was also awarded an honorary doctor of letters.
The university also appointed Professors Abubakar Mustapha, Muhammed Balla and Badejo as professors emeriti during the convocation.
The new UNIMAID chancellor, His Eminence Emir of Lafiya, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad (rtd), who was inaugurated on Friday, Nov. 17, presented the degrees and promotions.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the recipients, Dahiru Bobo pledged that they would strive to be good ambassadors of the university.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, the chief host of the convocation, praised the graduates and his boss, Vice President Shettima, a fellow university alumnus, for his selfless service to the state and country.
In a speech delivered on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Shettima acknowledged the challenges facing Nigerian universities and assured that the federal government is working tirelessly to address them. He emphasized the need for private sector involvement in education development and urged university alumni to contribute to their alma mater.
Shettima criticized the frequency of strikes in the tertiary education sector and urged the pursuit of constructive dialogue and negotiations over industrial disputes. He encouraged students to avoid social misconduct and to commit to their studies to qualify for graduation.
The Humanitarian Times 