From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has described the establishment of Al-Istiqamah University, owned by former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Hon. Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, in Gaya emirate, as a step towards the right direction.
The AUTHORITY reports that the private University situated at Sumaila town, Gaya Emirate, is being spearheaded by Kawu Sumaila, a former lawmaker who represented Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency.
Ganduje declared his support to the proposed University when Kawu Sumaila led teams from the National University Commission (NUC) and Planning and Implementation Committee, for a courtesy visit to Ganduje in his office.
The NUC team was under the leadership of Alhaji Aminu Abba, a Director from the Commission’s Directorate of the Establishment of Private Universities, while the Planning and Implementation Committee was under the leadership of Dr Muhammad Ibn Abdullahi, from Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
In his remarks Ganduje stated that, “Sumaila is bringing good omen to the state, particularly at today’s period of need for belt tightening in the area of education. So that the state could continue to prosper and propel.
“As we are the most populous state in the country, we have highest number of public schools and public students. With our new policy on free and compulsory primary and secondary education, you should then expect how the highest number of students seeking admission into tertiary institutions would look like in time to come.
“No numbers of universities can be much. When you have pupils leaving primary schools, high number of students leaving secondary schools, who then want further their studies. Then you know what you should expect as potential university students.”
He promised that his administration would provide enabling environment for the good take-off of Al-Istiqamah University, adding that, “education is everything. We should therefore strive hard and see to the successful take-off of this good project.”
NUC’s team leader at the visit, Abba, said their mission to Kano was the first visit to the site of the proposed university, explaining that, “this is the practice Your Excellency, whenever we pay a first visit for such purpose, we go and visit the Governor, security agencies, Emir and utility providers among others.
“We are here to solicit for support and encouragement to the Promoter, Hon. Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumail. As you are aware Sir, whoever is bringing education to your state, he is indeed bringing development. So this gentleman is bringing development to Kano, Your Excellency Sir.”
The Chairman of the Planning and Implementation Committee, Dr Ibn-Muhammad, said the intention was to complement government’s effort in the area of education sector, adding that, “Sir, your concern for education also plays a significant role in this gigantic project.”
According to him, parts of the structures put in place at this site of the university are seven Laboratories, e-library, as well as conventional library, some classrooms and lecture theatres,among others.
“Mission and Vision of our university are entrenched in the culture and peculiarities of the host community. As such, we are determined to provide quality education Sir,,” he added.
The famous Professor Salisu Shehu, from BUK, who is also a member of the Implementation Committee, observed that the transition from secondary to tertiary institutions in the state becomes a big challenge, because of the number of students seeking admissions, after secondary school education.
“We are all aware that, the state has two State Universities, federal university, Bayero University, Kano is there, we have Colleges of Education and Polytechnic is there also, but yet only fraction of our students get admitted into tertiary level. So this proposed Al-Istiqamah University comes at the right time,” he added.
