Former Governor of Bauchi State Isa Yuguda has paid glowing tribute to the incumbent Bala Mohammed for ensuring that the State University performed its maiden convocation after 10 years of establishment.
He spoke on Saturday at the combined convocation of 1st, 2nd,3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th sets shortly after five distinguished Nigerians, including the duo, were conferred with Honorary Doctorate degrees by
Others were the Emir of Bauchi who is also the Chancellor of the university, Rilwanu Suleima Adamu, the Emir of Ningi and late Muhammad Saidu Zungur.
Yuguda, whose landmark achievements include the establishment of the multi campus State University, made the remark while speaking on behalf of other recipients at the Gadau campus during the convocation ceremony.
“I wish to behalf of my fellow recipients extend heartfelt appreciation to Professor Sango Abdullahi, the Vice Chancellor Professor Fatima Tahir , distinguished members of the senate and all individuals involved in this decision, especially the Visitor to the University,” he said.
“We thank the governor especially, because without his intervention as the Visitor to the University, we may not be standing here to receive the honorary doctorate degrees”
“We believe in your contributions to society is inspiring and inevitably heartwarming.
“You should continue in that spirit and of course, being a statesman that you are”
The former governor said both of them had rare opportunity of serving humanity at the highest level both in the private and public sector of the country
“I look back with deep sense of humility and sense of gratitude to almighty God for the achievements we recorded while we served at our various levels,” Yuguda said.
He thanked the management of the University and the staff who worked tireless to make the
event success and the host community, Gadau for the hospitality extended to the University since its inception.
He said the achievements recorded by the University since its inception a decade ago were a testimony of the dedication of the Council and management of the university and the community.
“We recognized the exemplary leadership of our revered Professor Ango Abdullahi who served as consultant and adviser when we established the University and later the pioneer Chairman of the Governing Council,” he said.
He also gave credit to the pioneer Vice Chancellor, late Prof. Mukhtar Abdurrahman and his management saying his contributions would forever be remembered.
Yuguda thanked the former Chairman of Education Tertiary Task Fund (TETFUND) Dr Musa Babayo and the former Executive Secretary Professor Suleiman Bogoro who supported and provided infrastructure on the campuses.
He paid tribute to the Commissioner for Education, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Aminu who he said played a vital role in coordinating and midwifing the establishment of the University as well as the project team headed by Engineer Ali Jibril.
We must not forget the contributions made by the late Aminu Sale, the Wambai Katagum who generally donated his farmland for the establishment of the University
“His selflessness will continue to inspire generations to come,” he stated.
“We also pay homage to the late Emir of Ktagum of blessed memory Alhaji Kabir Umar who tireless efforts in advocating for the establishment of the State University in his emirate will forever be remembered”
Yuguda assured the Council of the University of the Commitment to avail their wealth of experience and network to advance the development of the University.
“I am confident that Bauchi State University will continue to grow and achieve even greater heights in the years to come”
Speaking during the event, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Fatimah Tahir, said that the gesture was in recognition of their exceptional commitment and contributions the advancement of humanity at large.
“In recognition of their selfless services, the University Governing Council found them worthy of being conferred with honorary doctorate degrees,” Tahir stated.
She disclosed that a total of 7029 bachelor’s degrees among which, 184 (2.6%) are with first class; 2368 (32.8%) with second class upper, 3593 (51.1%) with second class lower division and others with 3 class and pass degrees were graduated
“As for postgraduates, we are today graduating 484 across various programmes, categorised as follows Postgraduate Diploma 119, Professional Masters 193, Academic Masters 183 and PhD 19,” she said.
“I therefore wish to congratulate all our graduands for this great achievement which did not come without challenges”
“I equally congratulate all the parents; your sacrifice has paid up and today you are proud parents of graduates. You have a cause to celebrate, may the Almighty Allah make it beneficial for them and for the society.