By Alheri Dogo
Governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has offered scholarships or automatic employment to Solomon John Akoji, a visually impaired graduate and to any first-class graduate of the Federal University Lafia, who are indigenes of the state.
The Governor made the offer during the maiden convocation ceremony of the Federal University Lafia, where he admonished Nasarawa state indigenes to strive and excel in their studies.
Among the benefiting graduates are Williams Yaji overall best student of the school and first class student of Economics, Muazu Ibrahim, Abdulaziz Zakari, and Bashir Eya, all of whom graduated with first Class honours degrees in their chosen fields of study.
He said that the beneficiaries are at liberty to chose, either to continue their studies to doctorate degree levels on Government sponsorship or take up automatic employment in the Nasarawa State civil Service.
Apparently elated Governor urged them to live up to their billings as pioneer graduands, saying, “my dear graduands, as pioneer products, it is my hope and, indeed, expectation that you will all live to your billings as good ambassadors of this ivory tower. As patriotic citizens, society looks up to you as models in our march to the promised land”.
While promising to do everything possible in encouraging the education of Nasarawa state citizens, Governor Almakura further said, “In this connection, I urge you to be steadfast in your support to the present Administration by directing your intellects and energies towards adding value to the nation-building process, as well as maintenance of cherished national ethics”.
“You must remember that whatever you do in the larger society will always be inferred to this University which has become your Alma mater”.
Al – Makura said his administration will continue to accord priority to education and support those who excel in their academic pursuit, stating that, his administration has set up machinery to re-invent the lost glory of the educational system which was the reason the state government declared a state of emergency in the educational sector.
He also called on Nigerian universities administrators to work towards reinventing research methodologies by to redirecting their research works towards entrepreneurial initiatives in order to reverse the trend of mad chase for white collar jobs, saying, “I wish to crave the indulgence of the University to run courses that are relevant to the development needs of the State”.
“I, therefore, urge you to be frontal in inculcating entrepreneurial training and character building that will mould the thinking of our youths towards self-reliability and social reorientation.”
The convocation attracted prominent educationists and scholars across the country, being its maiden edition.
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