In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the University of Ibadan has decorated the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum as the University’s ambassador n recognition of his pivotal role in the development of the educational sector in Nigeria.
Decorating the governor at the council chambers of the Government House in Maiduguri on Saturday, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Kayode Adebowale, stated that the University of Ibadan turns 75 years this year and there is every reason to roll out the drums and celebrate the excellence that the university symbolizes.
He noted that the management of the university was in Maiduguri to decorate Governor Zulum based on the recommendation of the UI@75 Anniversary Committee, which approved that the Governor be designated as a UI@75 Ambassador.
According to him, the 75th-anniversary planning committee of the university was set up in February 2023, and a date for the celebration will be very soon made known to the public.
“Your Excellency, Sir, it is noteworthy to note that you are a part of that tradition of excellence. To this end,
we are here today to decorate you as the first person to be so decorated”.
“In his first term as governor, he undertook not less than, at least, 556 major projects and completed 70% of them within 4 years. One-third of these capital projects were on education.
“One of his hallmarks is to build mega secondary schools with each having 1,500 students capacity and equipped enough to compare with some universities”.
“Zulum is the governor that steered the ship of Borno through the twin turbulence of COVID-19 and unrelenting insurgency. He has proved himself to be a leader that walks the talk by keeping his promise”.
In response, Governor Zulum expressed gratitude for the recognition bestowed on him by the university.
“Let me first and foremost express my deep appreciation to the Vice Chancellor and the management team for finding me worthy of this decoration as an ambassador of UI’s 75th anniversary,” Zulum said.
The governor also accepted the request by the university to be one of the four guests to deliver lectures at the event.
He emphasized the pivotal role education plays in transforming societies and highlighted the need for collaboration between the University of Ibadan and the Borno State University.
“I want to assure you that we shall continue to partner with you, and we shall continue to collaborate with you with a view to repositioning the education sector. Borno State University is young, it is just four years old. Therefore, we will partner in the areas of staff development”.
