Gov Aliyu Sokoto Offers Hajj Seat To UDUS Overall Best Graduating Student, Sheriff

*Urges institutions to graduate job creators, not seekers

By; SULEIMAN ADAMU, Sokoto

Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto on Saturday, announced the donation of a Hajj seat to Abdullahi Sheriff, a Microbiology graduate for emerging overall best at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto combined 50th anniversary jubilee and 42nd convocation ceremonies, urging the university to not only prepare students for academic excellence,paw but as job creators not seekers.

” This will help bridge the gap of unemployment and promote economic and financial independence among young Nigerian graduates”, the governor remarked .

Governor Aliyu Sokoto who was in attendance at the August event held at the permanent site of the institution as Special Guest of Honour alongside other dignitaries, including Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar who all gave a standing ovation with photographs with Sheriff who graduated with 4.92 CGPA in Microbiology to make history, was the centre of attraction to admirers and invited guests.

The governor who is also an alumnus, acknowledged that UDUS has profoundly impacted the lives of many both within Nigeria and beyond the shores of Africa, a legacy he said, stands the university out among equals.

” The legacy of this university’s graduates is a story worth sharing and celebrating. Over the past fifty years, our alumni have become key contributors to development in various fields, both in Nigeria and globally”, he said, while reflecting on the unique strides made over the years.

The governor stressed that, “the university is an engine for growth and development. Its impact on the socioeconomic development of Sokoto State and the entire country cannot be overestimated.”

Hitherto, Aliyu Sokoto disclosed that his administration was encouraged by the university’s purposeful records, hence devoted to improving the interaction between the state government and the institution to drive innovation, skills development for the overall progress of the state.

” My administration is prepared to support all initiatives that may catapult socio-economic development of Sokoto State in particular and nation as a whole.”

Accordingly , the governor urged the university to purposefully key in fro robust skills acquisition engagement in partnership with collaborators, adding that ” this partnership can make a significant impact and I encourage the University to expand vocational and technical training courses to equip our youth with the skills needed to combat unemployment and foster entrepreneurship.”

He explained that his government muted the 9-point agenda to deepen educational development among other critical areas to benefit citizens of the state.

” Is a deliberate attempt to ensure that education sector is repositioned for the betterment of our society . Interestingly, I appointed 4 professors from this university to man Basic and Secondary, Science and Technology, female Education as well as higher education sector in the state”.

According to the governor , the state government had always shown commitment to strengthening components that strategically adds to standards , quality and excellence to learning and reaching across all levels of education in the state.

However, the governor commended the President Tinubu led federal government for extending unequalled support to education especially in the areas of infrastructure and facilities making teaching and learning a lot easier.

” His educational policies are strategic and meant to evolve changes that would poster quick turn around of the Socio-economic development of our great nation. Mr President Sir, continue to give education high priority so as to ensure speedy

Federal Government under the leadership of our hardworking president, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the ongoing support to education especially in the areas of infrastructure and facilities aimed at making teaching and learning a lot easier. It is no doubt His Administration policies on education are meant to bring significant changes that would poster quick turn around of the Socio-economic development of our great nation. Mr President Sir, continue to give education high priority so as to ensure speedy socio economic transformation and standard in our public institutions of learning”, the governor urged while reminding the graduands to be symbols of values of integrity , excellence and service they step out into the world.

Meanwhile , the graduands were however, inducted into the university’s alumni by its National President , Nigeria and Diaspora, Dr. Buhari Bello Kware who urged them to be committed to the course of alumni network , activities and initiatives to further deepen the vision of the university community at all times.

However, goodwill messages from sister universities and Colleges of Education from across the country were received in order of congregation.