From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has explained why education got the highest allocation in the 2022 budget, insisting that it was in recognition of global acceptance of education as veritable tool for effective development of any nation and humanity in general.
He made the assertion after he was confered with an Honourary Doctorate Degree by the Lagos State University (LASU), at its 25th Convocation ceremony, Convocation Lecture, Congregation for admission to Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) and Conferment of Rank of Emeritus Professors and Honorary Degrees.
According to a Statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Ganduje said that giving the best of education has been one of the utmost priority of his government.
He said with the introduction of Free and Compulsory Basic and Secondary Education Policy, the state is witnessing the highest enrolment figures in history, which makes the sector capital intensive.
Ganduje said the two state owned universities: Unversity of Science and Technology, Wudil and Yusuf Maitama Sule University are being funded adequately, through prompt payment of staff salaries and other peculiar allowances.
“From the time we came in 2015 to date, we have recruited 650 academic staff and 1, 200 non-academic staff for the State University of Science and Technology, Wudil. Also, the institution then had only one professor but can now boast of 78 full-pledged professors in various fields of study,” he said.
The Governor added that also ensured that all courses being offered at the university are 100 per cent accredited, including the new ones introduced to include among others, Building Engineering, Technical and Vocational courses.
This, he said, has significantly boosted the university’s students enrolment figures from 2, 500 to 5500 annually. He further stated that the two universities are also into collaboration with 33 national and international institutions for mutual benefits.
Ganduje pointed out that while similar gesture has been extended to Yusuf Maitama Sule University in terms of recruitment, enrolment and improvement in other academic activities, the two varieties are into collaboration with 33 national and international institutions for mutual benefits.
He accepted the honour and dedicate it to the cause of education and humanity in general.
The Governor was accompanied to Lagos by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba; Vice Chancellor, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Prof Muhammad Atiku Kurawa and Special Adviser to the Governor on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Alhaji Abubakar Sahabu Babawuro.
