FG sets up N3bn research fund for varsities
President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal
Government has set up a N3 billion National
Research Fund.
Buhari made the disclosure in Sokoto State on
Saturday in a message to the Joint 32nd, 33rd and
34th convocation and 40th anniversary of the
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The president, represented by the Executive
Secretary, National Universities Commission
(NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, said that the fund
was set up to assist the various universities to
undertake meaningful researches.
Buhari explained that such researches were
aimed at solving the myriad of problems facing
Nigeria currently.
The president specifically charged the nation’s
universities to undertake researches in solar and
other renewable energy sources.
“The universities should embrace education to
solve the challenges facing the nation now.
“Universities should also be vanguards in the
diversification of the nation’s revenue sources in
view of the falling prices of crude oil in the world
market.
“Universities should also rack their brains and
come up with alternative sources of sustaining
the nation’s economy,’’ Buhari said.
He further expressed the commitment of the
Federal Government to continue to be alive to its
responsibilities to the education sector.
The president explained that this commitment led
to the increase in the budgetary allocation to the
sector in 2016.
He also promised that universities would continue
to be assisted to function effectively.
The president urged the Organised Private Sector
and other stakeholders to complement the
efforts of the government in funding education at
all levels.
The Chancellor of the University and Oba of
Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, solicited support of
President Buhari in ensuring the success of the
ongoing war against corruption.
Akiolu, who was installed as Chancellor of the
university at the event, further said, `Buhari is a
focussed, patriotic, pious and committed leader
who needs the support of all Nigerians’’.
The University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of
Council, Dr George Egabor, said that although
subventions to the institution had improved, they
were largely inadequate.
“As such, we cannot maintain our infrastructure,
provide essential services, as well as other
services required for the university’s
development,’’ Egabor said.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof.
Abdullahi Zuru, commended Buhari for his
interest and commitment to the progress of the
university.
NAN reports that 11,513 graduates received
various Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates, with
57 first class degrees.
NAN also reports that five eminent Nigerians
were conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees.
They were: the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad
Abubakar III, Oba of Lagos and Chancellor of the
university, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu and former Lagos
State Governor, Sen. Bola Tinubu.
The rest were: former Defence Minister, Retired
Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and the Executive
Director, Public Sector, First Bank Nigeria Ltd.,
Alhaji Dauda Suleiman,
In the same vein, three retired eminent public
officers were conferred with Emeritus
appointments.
They were: Prof. Shehu Galadunchi and Prof.
Mahdi Adamu, first and second Vice Chancellors
of the institution, respectively, who were
appointed as Vice Chancellors Emeritus.
Similarly, Prof. A.T. Suleiman was appointed as
Professor Emeritus.
Tinubu, who responded on behalf of the
receipients commended the University for
bestowing the honour on them.
The former governor promised that the honour
would spur them to do more to sustain peace and
unity of Nigeria, as well as national development.
He said that Nigeria was on the brink in 2015 but
the APC brought the desired change to the nation.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to be patient and
fervently prayerful.
NAN reports that the ceremony was attended by
the Governors of Lagos, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi
and Zamfara and Sokoto Deputy Governor, Alhaji
Ahmed Aliyu.
Similarly, former Governors of Ondo and Cross
River States, Chief Bisi Akande and Mr Donald
Duke witnessed the event.
It was also attended by various Obas, Emirs,
National and State Assemblies’ members and
other dignitaries across Nigeria.
Government has set up a N3 billion National
Research Fund.
Buhari made the disclosure in Sokoto State on
Saturday in a message to the Joint 32nd, 33rd and
34th convocation and 40th anniversary of the
Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
The president, represented by the Executive
Secretary, National Universities Commission
(NUC), Professor Julius Okojie, said that the fund
was set up to assist the various universities to
undertake meaningful researches.
Buhari explained that such researches were
aimed at solving the myriad of problems facing
Nigeria currently.
The president specifically charged the nation’s
universities to undertake researches in solar and
other renewable energy sources.
“The universities should embrace education to
solve the challenges facing the nation now.
“Universities should also be vanguards in the
diversification of the nation’s revenue sources in
view of the falling prices of crude oil in the world
market.
“Universities should also rack their brains and
come up with alternative sources of sustaining
the nation’s economy,’’ Buhari said.
He further expressed the commitment of the
Federal Government to continue to be alive to its
responsibilities to the education sector.
The president explained that this commitment led
to the increase in the budgetary allocation to the
sector in 2016.
He also promised that universities would continue
to be assisted to function effectively.
The president urged the Organised Private Sector
and other stakeholders to complement the
efforts of the government in funding education at
all levels.
The Chancellor of the University and Oba of
Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, solicited support of
President Buhari in ensuring the success of the
ongoing war against corruption.
Akiolu, who was installed as Chancellor of the
university at the event, further said, `Buhari is a
focussed, patriotic, pious and committed leader
who needs the support of all Nigerians’’.
The University’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of
Council, Dr George Egabor, said that although
subventions to the institution had improved, they
were largely inadequate.
“As such, we cannot maintain our infrastructure,
provide essential services, as well as other
services required for the university’s
development,’’ Egabor said.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof.
Abdullahi Zuru, commended Buhari for his
interest and commitment to the progress of the
university.
NAN reports that 11,513 graduates received
various Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates, with
57 first class degrees.
NAN also reports that five eminent Nigerians
were conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degrees.
They were: the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad
Abubakar III, Oba of Lagos and Chancellor of the
university, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu and former Lagos
State Governor, Sen. Bola Tinubu.
The rest were: former Defence Minister, Retired
Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma and the Executive
Director, Public Sector, First Bank Nigeria Ltd.,
Alhaji Dauda Suleiman,
In the same vein, three retired eminent public
officers were conferred with Emeritus
appointments.
They were: Prof. Shehu Galadunchi and Prof.
Mahdi Adamu, first and second Vice Chancellors
of the institution, respectively, who were
appointed as Vice Chancellors Emeritus.
Similarly, Prof. A.T. Suleiman was appointed as
Professor Emeritus.
Tinubu, who responded on behalf of the
receipients commended the University for
bestowing the honour on them.
The former governor promised that the honour
would spur them to do more to sustain peace and
unity of Nigeria, as well as national development.
He said that Nigeria was on the brink in 2015 but
the APC brought the desired change to the nation.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to be patient and
fervently prayerful.
NAN reports that the ceremony was attended by
the Governors of Lagos, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi
and Zamfara and Sokoto Deputy Governor, Alhaji
Ahmed Aliyu.
Similarly, former Governors of Ondo and Cross
River States, Chief Bisi Akande and Mr Donald
Duke witnessed the event.
It was also attended by various Obas, Emirs,
National and State Assemblies’ members and
other dignitaries across Nigeria.
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