President Jonathan lauds ABU at 50 as the University honours TY Danjuma.

[FMINigeria]

                        President Goodluck Jonathan has commended Ahmadu Bello University for meeting the dreams and aspirations of its founding fathers.

The President made this commendation at the university's convocation ground in Zaria during a special convocation ceremony and launching of N50billion Phase II Development Fund of the University.

President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo said that the University has every cause to celebrate its golden jubilee for in the last 50 years, it has graduated hundreds of thousands of Nigerians and foreigners who occupy various positions in their country.

"I am happy to note that the University has among its alumni, past and present Governors, Ministers, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, Captains of Industry, Technocrats, scientists and the clergy. I cannot fail to mention that my predecessor, the late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua and my Vice, Arc. Namadi Sambo also passed through the four walls of this University.

The president who expressed his delight for being part of the historic occasion of the University's Golden Jubilee stated that 50 years in the life of a university called for stock-taking and self-assessment of its accomplishments in meeting with the vision and mission of its founding fathers who had a vision of a world-class university and a beacon of democratic ideals. "I made bold to say that Ahmadu Bello University has not disappointed its founding fathers", said President Jonathan.

President Jonathan lamented the low absorption capacity of our universities, where barely a quarter of students seeking admission into universities were absorbed. He stated that despite the increase in the number of universities in the country, the demand for university education has continued to soar.

The President further stated that in the quest of his administration to meet world standard in university enrolment, it has established new universities and there was consideration for the establishment of mega universities with high enrolment capacity similar to those of Cairo, Pretoria, Mexico and Argentina with current students' population of 200,000; 250,000; 314,557 and 316,050 respectively.

The President, while acknowledging the daunting challenges facing the University, assured that government would continue to pay special attention to those areas of need in addition to what was being provided now through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. He however, called on the Alumni of the Institution to play key roles in the development of their alma mater.

Also, President Jonathan expressed his delight at this Special Convocation organized to honour General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma whom he described as his hero and mentor.

He congratulated the recipient of the honorary degree. "General T.Y. Danjuma, undoubtedly deserves the honour being bestowed on him as one of the most illustrious sons of our Nation", said President Jonathan.

The University has organized this special convocation to confer General T.Y Danjuma with Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon D.Sc).

High point of the event was the groundbreaking ceremony performed by the representative of the President, Vice President Namado Sambo for the ABU Phase II Development.

Various dignitaries graced the occasion amongst which was the former President Ibrahim Babangida and the Sultan of Sokoto Sa'ad Abubakar, amongst others.

In another development, the Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo was at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Alh Shehu Idris to pay homage.

The Vice President prayed for peace and prosperity of the State and country in general and called on the people of the State to continue to live in peace and harmony with one another for development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria