𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐢 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐃𝐒𝐔

 

We can do More Together

By

𝐑𝐭. 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐮 𝐔𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐮 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐢,

The Executive Governor of Adamawa State and Visitor to Adamawa State University. Delivered at the 3rd Combined Convocation Ceremony of Adamawa State University, Mubi13th- March, 2021

Your Excellency, the 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫  of Adamawa State, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐡;

Distinguished 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬  and Honourable 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 form Adamawa State;

The 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐀𝐥𝐡. 𝐌𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝,  the Emir of Pindiga 

Our distinguished 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐚

The 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 and Honourable 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 of the Adamawa State House of Assembly

The Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff,  Hon. Commissioners and other Officers of the Government of Adamawa State,

The Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐮𝐰𝐚𝐥 𝐁. 𝐓𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐫

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 

𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬  of the University, 

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟  and 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬  of Adamawa State University, Mubi

The 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 

Distinguished  𝐋𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 and  𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧  

It gives me a great pleasure to be here today and be part of this historic combined convocation of Adamawa State University, Mubi.

Coming from the backdrop that an event of this magnitude has eluded the Institution for the past 12  years, (since, 2009), it is incumbent upon us to see this event not only as epochal but a landmark event in the annals of the University and the entire State. 

More significantly, it represents a watershed in the lives of most of the graduands who have waited too long for this day.  

Adamawa State University occupies a place of pride in the heart of every patriotic citizen of Adamawa State.

As an administration, my Government is prouder of its growth and development over the years.  

I want to start by acknowledging the visionary foresights of the founding fathers of this Institution; profound among them is my  𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫; 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐚, the Former Governor of Adamawa State, who not only conceptualized the idea of establishing a University for the State but had the courage to make it a reality. Sir, this generation and indeed future generations of this State can’t thank you enough.

Posterity is reckoning with you. The fruits of such reckoning is already manifest. I commend the decision of the Council and the Senate of Adamawa State University for finding you worthy of this year’s prestigious Award of Honorary Doctoral Degree (Honoris causa). There indeed, cannot be any better and worthy choice than you. Congratulations my Elder Brother. 

Let me also congratulate our graduands – the celebrants of the day, for attaining this feat. Having toiled to complete your various courses, you are certified to be the recipients of your respective degrees and certificates, I truly wish you the best of luck and better hunting as  you walk into a bright and fulfilling future. 

I commend the Students, Staff and Management of the University for standing true to the dictates of the vision, mission and philosophical foundation of the University. In spite of the challenging security situation, you have been resolute and made Mubi the first destination of choice for, research, learning and a hatchery of leaders of the next generation.   

I specially applaud the  𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐰𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐚, for providing the right leadership which has succeeded in quenching the tension in the University and stabilizing the system. I assure you of my unflinching support. 

I appreciate the  𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐮𝐛𝐢, 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐡. (𝐃𝐫) 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐬𝐚 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐮, 𝐂𝐅𝐑, for being the father that he has always been. To the entire people of Mubi town and its environs, I acknowledge you for housing the University over the years. This indeed, is our treasure and we must collectively stand firm to nurture and protect it.    

 

Chancellor Sir, Pro-chancellor, Ladies and Gentlemen, universities are not just institutions for awarding degrees but are veritable centres of control in a society. We have seen the dominant roles universities have played over the years. Universities are usually in the forefront of any social change, especially with the power of research focused on areas that will promote human development and solve existential problems.

Research findings aren’t just meant for the promotion of lecturers but are integral part of a society’s knowledge base which are transmitted to students and industries. 

We must then strive to build a university that is an institution for the people; an incubator of knowledge and a problem solver for the society; a centre of excellence positioned to compete favourably at the global level. 

We must create a University that is in sync with the speed of the world; we have to invest the required resources that prepares us to take maximum advantage of such ground breaking and revolutionary innovations as the 5G Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain Technology and Internet of Things, etc. 

These and many others are the guarantors of success and productivity in the jobs of the future. 

As we get committed to this enterprise, we must together create a knowledge driven society. 

We must be angry with the gloomy geometry of the unemployed youths in the society. 

The Government is still the major employer of labour and accounts for over 90% of those in the formal sector. 

Our research and learning institutions, especially the Adamawa State University, must be deliberate in retooling its prospectus and contents to create an outright departure from hatching job seekers to producing entrepreneurs. I am happy to note that, the University already has the Center for Entrepreneurship and Skill Development. This is a strategic move and I encourage you to strengthen the Centre for maximum performance and impact.

Chancellor, Pro-chancellor, Management and Staff of Adamawa State University, as we depart this venue today, I want to leave you with the challenge of solving basically the municipal services problems within your campus. 

My findings reveals that the University is heavily grappling with service problems such as safe water, electricity, and waste disposal.

Instead of spending Millions on diesel to power generators for instance, why can’t the university devote itself to research in alternative and cheap energy in the long run, for the campus? With all the Physics and other related researchers, why must the University be part of the diesel guzzling  community? We need to domesticate excellence on the campus in order to export it into the society.

I am happy with the surge in the number of Professors as a result of the recent promotion exercise in the University, but would definitely have been happier if such promotion were benchmarked on the basis of researches and innovations/inventions that are linked to markets, industries and patents.  

To encourage research and innovation in the provision of ground breaking solutions to societal problems, our administration is endowing this University with a Professorial Chair in Doing More Together: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Solutions (DMT:EIS). 

The traditional mandate of universities globally, is anchored on the tripod of Research, Learning and Community Service. Out of the three, it is research that positions a university to occupy its cutting edge place within the global Community. In the short and medium term, our Government is recommending incentives to encourage the academics of Adamawa State University to research and publish in peer reviewed journals of international repute. 

Part of the incentive is a cash award on papers that qualifies for publication in Q1 and Q2 Journals. For this purpose, I am delighted to announce an  𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲. This grant would be in a dedicated interest earning Account of the University. The grant will be in the Annual Budgets of the State as specific line for the next four years. 

The Award would be conferred on qualified persons upon recommendation by the Senate of the University and approval by the Council. 

We are doing so much to upscale the infrastructure in the Institution. We have constructed new lecture theatres and internal roads in the main Campus and are contructing a hostel complex at the Sahuda Road Campus. 

The next place to face, is the construction of the internal roads and walkways within and provide potable water and other aminities at the Sahuda Road campus. It is my fervent wish that academic activites would commence there soon.

We are committed to changing the narrative in our health sector. We are improving and expanding the facilities in our public hospitals and building 5 brand new Secondary Health Facilities across the State.

Now that the  𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰 has been approved and is to commence academic activities soon,  our strategic plan is to expand  the faculties  by establishing the  𝐅𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 and a  𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 before the end of our term in Office. This will no doubt deepen Health Care Services in the State and make our Health Sector  reforms complete.     

Education occupies a central place on our  𝟏𝟏 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚. Our Administration saw it as a huge challenge that must be frontally confronted in our drive for development. 

We are deploying adequate resources to reform the sector. We are rebuilding our schools and equally rebuilding the confidence of our students to meet up with the challenges of modern learning. 

We have introduced  𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 and 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲  𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 at the basic level and paid examination fees for  𝐖𝐀𝐄𝐂 and 𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐎  which has translated into huge economic relief on the shoulders of the impoverished parents. 

We are recruiting more quality teachers to power our schools. 

We have reintroduced  𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐦𝐞 with improved nutritional rationing in our boarding schools. 

We have restored  𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 awards to indegent students of our tertiary institutions for the 2019/2020 Session and the registration for the 2020/2021 Session is ongoing. The busary forms are free and available for pick-up at the  𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞’𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝. 

We have instituted a  𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 for  𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐩 in 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 and 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 for our high flying students who merit it. 

Today, I bring to you glad tidings from Adamawa State students studying  𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 and 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 on full sponsorship from  𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚. 

We have established merit and subdued mediocrity in our school system. Our reforms though subtle and noiseless is providing the much needed results. 

While carrying on with this surgical reform, we are not unmindful of the burden placed on us by the effect of the insurgency especially in the northern part of the State. The Boko Haram insurgency has not only physically  destroyed our schools but equally destablised a lot of families with school-aged children.

As a response to this seemingly humanitarian situation, we plan to float the  𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬’ 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 (𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐒) to carter for outstanding indigent students who lost their parents to the Boko Haram attacks and mayhem. 

This brings us to the question of unlocking the huge resources, especially the required funding for the task ahead. 

The  𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜 has placed on our shouders the heavy burden of a suffocating economy. It has equally challenged our innovative capabilities. 

As  a Government, we have not only been ingenious in inventing revenue sources but doubly meticulous in cutting the cost of governance and eliminating waste, to ensure accountability and value for money. 

I urge the University to follow the same path. Your Consultancy Unit the  𝐀𝐃𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒 which is the business arm of the University must be retrofitted to attract the right clients for a maximum revenue drive. 

As a Government, I want to give you the assurance of our patronage in planning, services and capacity building. More fundamental is the training of Personnel and Staff of the State and Local Governments. 

The Chancellor Sir, distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are doing much but together, we can do more for Adamawa State. To Adamawa State University, I want to say, there is more work to be done if we must achieve our objective of having a world-class University of the 21st century. The task is a collective one Government, Citizens and the Alumni. 

To my dear Students of Adamawa State University, I urge you to shun all forms of anti-social activities. Make your campus safe; strive for excellence at all times; work hard; work smart. 

Our Government is committed to securing your campus and giving you a serene and conducive environment for learning. Continue to enjoy the Fresh Air.     

     

Let me use this opportunity to publicly congratulate the duo of  𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐀𝐥𝐡. 𝐌𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐀𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚 and 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐰𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐚 for their merited appointments as  𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫 and 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫of the University repectively.Your combined knowledge and loaded experiences as foremost educationists has surely prepared you both for the task of leading and reshaping this great Institution.  

I wish you success as you jointly pilot the affairs of the University to majestic excellence.

Once again, I congratulate our Honorary Awardee,  𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐢 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐚 and all the  𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 of the day. 

I share in the joy of the parents and families of the graduands for celebrating their loved ones. Achieving this feat, is by no means, a mean one. Specifically to the  𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬, as you join the Alumni of  Adamawa State Univerity, Mubi, today, remember to be good  𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬 of the Institution; having been found to be worthy both “in  𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 and in 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠”; to receive their Certificates; you have a responsility to give back. Keep it at the back of your minds that  ”𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐲𝐞”.

Thank you and God bless.