Greenfield University as partner in nation-building

The Nigerian landscape is currently dotted with numerous universities both public and private. But the private owned universities are springing up rapidly across all the geopolitical zones in the country.  The government, acknowledging the growing demand of quality education, approved these private universities to complement its efforts in providing quality education to Nigerians. Among these private universities is Greenfield University, the first private university in Kaduna state. The promoters and owners of this versatile university have a credible history spanning over 20 years of delivering quality education. 

The outstanding feature of the university is its location in the North as envisioned by the promoters under the chairmanship of Chief Simon Nwakacha, an engineer of repute who despite his roots of being an easterner patriotically sited the university in the North without prejudice.   

The National Universities Commission (NUC) approved the commencement of establishing the university in December, 2013 after assurance from the promoters of their commitment to develop a unique university that will be a model of excellence and reference for other universities in the country in terms of knowledge and service delivery. Greenfield University commenced its academic activities in June 2019. And more than 10 years after, it has stood boldly and uniquely on its promise despite some challenges.

His Royal Highness the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Nuhu Ahmed Bamalli, who is also the Chancellor of Greenfield University while commissioning the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences of the school rightly recently summed it up when he said.

‘’We’ve four universities in Kaduna and the mother of all, we have ABU in Zaria. I cannot say we have enough, but with the population in Kaduna, it is not enough to cater for demands. With Greenfield in the Kaduna metropolis, more students will gain, from what we have seen; you have most of the required faculties. I believe in a couple of years, we should be seeing the university as a leader of private universities in the North. Our doors are always open, it is a technology-driven university, keep it up’’

Located at Kudenda in a serene environment amidst beautiful greenish setting as its name implies Greenfield University has not shifted its focus on the establishment of a unique university which will be highly sort after and a reference point within tertiary education and a core focus of providing graduates with various internationally recognised qualifications, skills and exposures tailored to the development of humanity. It has within a short term laid a strong foundation that ensures that its staff, students and graduates are well equipped and reputable.  This is not surprising given the fact that the vision of the university was founded on the quest for excellence by producing knowledgeable, talented and enviable graduates who can positively contribute to societal development.

It was in recognition of the excellence provided by the university and its management that spurred the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students to bestow an Award of Excellence on the founder Engineer Simon Nwakacha. The award ‘’ Epitome of Educational Development’’ was in recognition of his laudable contribution to educational development of the country. President of the association, Abdulrahman Ibrahim, in an interview with newsmen, said that it is the tradition of the association to search for those that give to society, especially in education development to award them. 

 In his remarks at the ceremony, Benjamin Danjuma Barde, Yeriman Gbagyi, said that the award was well deserved. “When I received the invitation for this award, I said it was not a mistake. As a representative of the community, we know he has done so much for the community in many regards, as well as scholarship. You are a blessing to the Gbagyi chiefdom. This is just the beginning, more awards will come”.

Reacting to the award, Nwakacha expressed joy and dedicated the award to the students of the institution who lost their lives during an unfortunate kidnapping at the main campus. “This award is dedicated to all those who lost their lives in the struggle, the present students, Imperial students, in fact, the whole world,” he said.

The pro-chancellor while fielding questions from newsmen, said he feels great because the award was presented by students of educational institutions in Nigeria and would spur him to doing more. He called on government to through its intervention agencies support private institutions to ensure that Nigerian students excel in all ramifications. “I am saying that the government itself has been saying that they cannot do it alone, they need people to come and assist them so they should support private universities. 

 Nwakacha also recently awarded scholarships to two best graduating pupils (a male and a female) of Makarfi Central Primary school for their secondary education at Imperial School Kaduna from JSS1 to SSS 3.  He said the gesture was from his family to the two best graduating pupils. The Imperial School also owned by the pro-chancellor is a premier boarding primary and secondary school he founded in 1997 as part of his contribution to the development of education in Northern Nigeria.

Greenfield University has put in place appropriate security measures to ensure the protection of lives and property of its students and staff against incident of banditry. The university management further cautioned the students against posting sensitive information about the school on social media and to be security conscious.

Speaking to the students during the matriculation of the 4th set of the university’s students, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Simon Daniel Katung, told students to be security conscious and avoid late return to the campus hostel. He assured parents presents that Greenfield University is committed to producing graduates that will compete favourably with their peers globally. He warned against cultism among its students.

No doubt, Greenfield University is set to train and bring out the best brains that would be epitome of success to positively contribute to societal development.

Bashir Bello,

Abuja

[email protected]