Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said his administration had committed huge resources in ensuring effective, efficient and smooth running of the state-owned universities.
He made the statement at the combined convocation of Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, held at the university’s convocation arena.
Ganduje said the administration succeeded on the timely completion of the faculty buildings of the university situated at the permanent site and the establishment of medical college to ensure effective take-off of the recently established college of medical sciences in the state.
The governor represented by his deputy, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, maintained that the state had equally awarded a number of scholarships to academic staff of the state-owned universities for PhD in various foreign countries for career upgrade, adding that his administration will always ensure timely release of funds for the smooth running of the universities.
Ganduje said despite the challenges of the education system, the state government was committed to building a learning hub, enhancing literacy and youth empowerment for a better and sustainable future.
“These were made possible through the expansion of infrastructure in schools, integrating Islamiyya, Qur’anic and Tsangaya education, more enrolment of girls in schools, training and retraining of teachers, awarding scholarship and implementation of all-inclusive education policies,” he said.
He reminded the graduands of the battle ahead and urged them to utilise what they had gained in the university, pointing out that the quality of education they received would allow them to compete with their contemporaries.
The chancellor of the university, Emir of Argungu Alhaji Isma’ila Muhammad Mera, hinted that since inception, the institution had moved from one academic landmark to the other while engaging in community service.
“Today’s convocation is for the award of degrees to combined graduands of the year 2016, 2017 and 2018. For this, we thank the foresight of the Kano State Government, the sacrifice of staff and students as well as support of parents and guardians,” he stated.
The vice chancellor of the universiyu, Professor Mustapha Ahmad Isa, explained that with current population of 11,471 students, the university runs 32 degree programmes spread over five faculties, namely Humanities, Education, Science, Social and Management Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences.
“The National Universities Commission (NUC) recently granted us licence to commence the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programmes from the next academic session (2019/2020 ) and that will bring in to existence the sixth faculty, namely the Faculty of Clinical Sciences.”
Among the important personalities that graced the occasion were royal fathers in the state.
