Jonyeaku@aol.com Orange, New Jersey, USA

ANNOUNCE THIS ARTICLE TO YOUR FRIENDS

HOW TO DISCUSS A PRESIDENT'S HEALTH

Gov Saraki, point of order

Polscope ...with Eddy Odivwri,email:edwintops2000@yahoo.com 08053069356, 03.05.2010

I  have read the comments of Gov Bukola Saraki on the qualities he wants to see in anyone who will take over from him as Governor of Kwara State by next year. He noted that he would never handover to anyone except the person is “transparent, honest and with a proven ability to manage the economic and political affairs of the state.” He stressed that no matter the lobby by those wanting to succeed him, he would not budge, unless the persons has the stated qualities.

Ordinarily, every sane man will applaud the identified qualities, especially against the backdrop of the deficiencies and bare-faced roguery in governance. But my worry is when Gov Saraki, appropriates to himself, the collective will of the people of Kwara. I probably would have taken the governor’s declaration as a mere expression, but when I match it against what his father, Dr Olusola Saraki, the Olooye himself, has also said, then I am wont to take it a little more serious.

The older Saraki, in dismissing insinuations that his daughter, Senator Gbemi Saraki, will succeed her brother, and that he would clash with his son over the choice of who will replace the governor, said, “People want to see me and my beloved son fight on who succeeds him, just like what happened during Lawal’s period. Bukola has done nothing wrong; he is doing his best for the state and I am proud of him, why should I choose his successor for him when I know that he can do that by himself,” he said.

With that declaration, it becomes clearer that the choice of who succeeds Gov Saraki won’t have much to do with the people of Kwara, which makes it necessary to enquire if this is a democracy or not? How is Bukola or anybody going to choose his successor? Is it the duty of Bukola to determine who his successor will be in the true sense of democracy? How many votes is he going to cast? What father and son have declared is that they have the electoral system within their control and whomever they want to tilt it towards, will be the beneficiary of the electoral effort of the entire Kwara people.

While I am not naןve to believe that the incumbent office holder in Nigeria does not have any role to play in whomever that will succeed him or her, I am disturbed that the declarations of the Sarakis are laced with oracular certainty, as if they are the sole determinants of the will of the people of Kwara.

Having been the political oracle of Kwara, the older Saraki, over three or so decades, has been greatly influential in directing the political current of the state. But I believe it is mere political understanding and influence, not a dictatorial code. I know government is a continuum, and like a stage. Bukola has played his part on the stage for almost seven years now. Wherever he stops next year, will be the take-off point of his successor. His successor will or should be chosen by the people of Kwara, not Gov Bukola, or his father or any one person for that matter.

Bukola stressed that the situation in the state calls for “a well-grounded politician” and that it is to only such a person he will hand over. Your Excellency, I have some questions for this your political sole-proprietorship:  How shall we know when you have found such a person? How can your own judgement suffice for the entire people of the state? What if you never find such a person, will you stay on in office? What if Kwara people in the exercise of their sovereign right, decide that they don’t even care about the qualities you unilaterally outlined, will you over-ride them? And sir, when you took over from late Gov Mohammed Lawal in 2003, how much of “a well-grounded politician” were you?

All said Your Excellency, as the chairman of the Governors’ Forum, you must demonstrate your belief and pursuit of democratic ethos in everything, especially in your utterances and the coming elections. That way, you etch your name as a devout democrat.

Tuesday, March 02, 2010              

The proposed bill on indigene-settler conflict

THE move by the House of Representatives to consider a bill seeking to address the recurrent indigene-settler controversy in the country may not be necessary, as the 1999 Constitution already has taken care of the issues being raised. The indigene-settler problem subsists not because there is no law that addresses it but because states and local government authorities across the country have refused to abide by the law that recognises every Nigerian as a citizen with inalienable rights wherever he or she may reside. The treatment of some Nigerians as if they were non-citizens in their own country is deplorable.

The root of the conflict can be traced to deep-rooted ethnic sentiments and primordial claims in different parts of the country. Tragically, this results in a situation whereby even government institutions brazenly ignore the law and instead draw segregatory lines between indigenes and so-called settlers. Such practices inform the recurrent ethno-religious crisis in the country. The challenge, therefore, is not in enacting a new law but in promoting actions and policies that create the environment that would make Nigerians feel at home wherever they live in the country.

Hon. Sama'ila Mohammed (ANPP, Plateau State) sponsored the "Bill for an Act to provide the right of Nigerians to be indigenes of any local government area or area council in Nigeria". Accordingly, the Bill seeks to ensure that persons whose parents migrated to any local government on or before October 1, 1960, are indigenes of that local government.

Besides, the Bill seeks to restrict the authority for the issuance of indigeneship certificates to the Ministry of Internal Affairs as against the current practice whereby only states and local government councils issue the certificate. Under the extant framework, a person must prove beyond reasonable doubt that he or she is an indigene of a place by, for instance, getting a letter of identification from the traditional ruler or councillor before a local government council or state could issue a certificate of indigeneship (not citizenship).

What this means is that persons who may have lived in an area all their life but who the traditional ruler or councillor does not identify as indigenes are denied basic rights. It is this category of Nigerians that Hon. Mohammed seeks to defend.

But the 1999 Constitution already takes care of this matter in chapters 3 and 4. While Chapter 3 of the Constitution dwells on the issue of citizenship and the different ways by which a person could become a citizen of Nigeria, Chapter 4 spells out fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom from discrimination (section 42). Section 25 thereof clearly states that "every person born in Nigeria before the date of independence" is a citizen of Nigeria by birth, provided either of the parents or grandparents belong or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria.

By virtue of this Constitutional provision, it amounts to a flagrant breach to brand or tag any persons within the purview of Section 25 (1) as a settler in any part of the country as is currently the practice. In virtually every part of the country, so-called non-indigenes are not allowed to contest for political office, acquire property; they are compelled to pay discriminatory fees in schools, and so on. This is illegal, for Section 42 (1) and (2) of the Constitution expressly forbids discrimination against any Nigerian, on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, sex or circumstances of birth. This practice is so pervasive that even in some parts of the country where there is cultural homogeneity, people are still being discriminated against along mundane ethnic lines. This however was not always the case.

In 1951, the elections held in the Eastern Region produced Eyo Ita from Cross River State as leader of government business in the Eastern House of Assembly. Similarly, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe won election in the Western House of Assembly and was made leader of the opposition. There were other Nigerians who occupied positions of influence in different parts of the country without being classified as settlers. The concept of indigeneship has since been introduced as a vehicle of mindless discrimination.

The proposed Bill refers to persons born after independence in 1960. What happens to those born before 1960? Is the Bill saying that such persons are not citizens of Nigeria? There is need to reaffirm citizenship and make it stronger as a uniting force. The country can never be united so long as people are more committed to ethnic and primordial affiliations. A situation whereby persons claim to be indigenes of this or that state with too many persons unprepared to respect citizenship rights underscores the extent of disunity in the country.

• Monday 1st March 2010

  Jonathan to start sweeping changes

EMMANUEL ADDEH in this report writes on preparations for the 2011 governorship election in Kwara State and the emerging issues in the race

As uncertainty mounts over who succeeds the incumbent Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, whose second term expires in 2011 and is therefore not eligible to contest in the governorship elections, indications are that the godfather of Kwara politics and father of the current governor, Olusola, might not have it so easy this time.

This, analysts in the state say, is not in any way connected with the failure of his political machinery, which they admit remains well oiled, but because of the opposition to his choice of a candidate for the 2011 governorship elections and the fact that it is coming from the least expected quarters.

Although the resistance to the rumoured choice of Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who incidentally is the daughter of Dr. Olusola Saraki and a sister to the incumbent governor, has been subtle, sources say that the difference this time is that the opposition is coming from close and unusual quarters.

Olusola who unarguably wields a big influence in the state politics, is believed to have successfully installed, former governors Ibrahim Attah, Alhaji Shaaba Lafiagi, the late Mohammed Lawal and the incumbent, his son.

But this time, the resistance is said to be coming from the very influential muslim community in the state, which is said to be opposed to the prospects of fielding the female senator on religious grounds. The opposition argument is that a woman cannot lead a community of Muslim men, just as they are not favourably disposed to another Saraki mounting the saddle in the state. Also, the incumbent governor is not lending his support to the idea of the family fielding another person on moral grounds.

The development is coming as many other names have been mentioned in the race for the Government House in Ilorin, the state capital. Some of the leading ones include Alhaji AbdulFatai Ahmed, former Commissioner for Finance, now in Economic Planning , Rasaq Atunwa ,the former Commissioner for Works and Transport, now in Finance , the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Isa Bio Ibrahim and Senator Ahmed Mohammed.

But the governor had on various occasions dismissed the issue of 2011 and its attendant politics with a wave of the hand, insisting that he should be left to ‘‘concentrate on governance.‘‘

He said, ‘‘ This administration is determined to ensure that all ongoing projects embarked upon are completed and put to use for the benefit of all and sundry, therefore flagging off any political activities at this period would amount to distracting the government that is focused and determined to serve the people with vigour.‘‘

But even as he puts up this defence, things, some analysts posit, might no longer be at ease between father and son. Baba as the senior Saraki is fondly called has cleverly commenced campaigns for her daughter with the recent lavish showing at the Ilorin Airport where posters bearing Gbemi‘s picture and governorship ambition were displayed.

Although followers of political developments in the state insist that the subtle campaign could not have taken place without the knowledge of Baba, a man who has never hidden his love for “red carpet” politics, having variously said that he won‘t allow someone who had never climbed a red carpet to govern the state, those who are wont to defend the scenario painted at the airport, say that the banners were displayed without the Senator‘s consent.

They argue that the presence of the who is who in the state‘s political space, especially those from Abuja, was just a coincidence, as they met in the aircraft that flew them to Ilorin.

But the governor, who is also said to be fast cutting his teeth in political deftness, had quickly conveyed a meeting of the PDP, prompting the party to issue a statement thereafter. The party noted that it had become necessary to make its position known because some of its members and groups were violating the order not to commence campaigns for 2011.

The party in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Isiaka Danmairomo, said, “The embargo on political activities across the state is still in force and consequently it will sanction anybody disobeying this order, as the party remains supreme and will not condone any distractions from any quarters.”

The party stated that its decision to place the embargo was premised on the need to allow the incumbent government to concentrate on its programmes and policies without distraction.

The party, added that it was yet to endorse any candidate for any position, noting that the state PDP has a structure which is known to all its members.

However, certain sections of the Kwaran society, especially in religious circles already seem set for a showdown with the ruling family. The first to stir the hornet‘s nest recently at a ceremony to mark the 47th birthday celebration of the governor, was an Islamic preacher in the state, Uztas Saanu Shehu, who canvassed a shift in governorship power from the lineage of the prominent politician at the 2011 elections.

He said at the event attended by many dignitaries including the Governor, his Deputy, Chief Joel Ogundeji, National Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, and the then Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayinla Bamigbola, that it was enough for the family having produced a House of Representatives member and a Senator in the person of Gbemisola, and a two-term governor.

He added, ”My advice is that in 2011, let somebody else taste power outside the Saraki family. It is more honourable that way. The family has produced a House of Representatives member for four years, a senator for eight years, and a governor for eight years. So the most ideal thing now is to allow somebody else to do it outside that family.”

The jubilation that heralded the comment apparently showed the desire of the people to have a change of leadership in the conduct of the affairs of the state.

Similarly, the state branch of the Supreme Council for Sharia recently warned the Saraki family not to go on with its attempt at fielding Gbemisola, considering particularly her recent comment on religion.

The female senator was quoted as saying recently that religious practice must be consistent with constitution.

Arising from this, the SCS described her as “a non-believer and an unrepentant ceremonial Muslim,” while likening her to Bhutto of Pakistan.

The SCS also took a swipe at the elder Saraki for supporting what they described as the “morbid ambition” of his daughter.

“We hear that Baba Saraki is supporting Gbemi in this morbid ambition. We do not believe it yet until we see practical steps whether secret or open. How would Baba who told the people of Ilorin that he was fighting Lawal (a former governor of the state) for attacking Alimi house now turn around to support her daughter in destroying the only legacy (Quran) and culture(Islam) left behind by Alimi?” it queried.”

Also, in a veiled reference to speculations that some of his aides might have started lobbying his father for the state‘s number one seat, the governor warned them to desist forthwith, as no pressure would stop him from insisting on merit.

The governor declared that no person seeking to take over the leadership of the state from him by 2011 would assume the office without meeting certain criteria, ”no matter where the person goes to lobby for the position.”

He said, ”Some of you (members of the executive council) going about jostling for positions should ask yourselves , am I ready to make sacrifices and spend the many hours it takes ? Am I the one that would say something in the morning and change it in the afternoon?

”If you don‘t have the qualities, if you like, you can move to Government House, it will not help because the future of Kwara is greater than that. We cannot compromise standards in the next elections”

Perhaps, the senior Saraki has observed the uneasiness in the polity, due to the rumoured disagreement between him and his son, and denied endorsing any candidate for the governorship position.

Saraki , who is also the Chairman of the Northern Union, at his Campaign Hall, Olorunsogo, Ilorin, the other day said his family was not divided over the issue.

He said, ”People want to see me and my beloved son to fight on who succeed him, just like what happened during Lawal‘s period. Bukola has done nothing wrong, he is doing his best for the state and I am proud of him. Why should I choose his successor for him when I know that he can do that himself,” he asked.

He also refuted speculations that he had anointed his daughter to succeed her brother.

The 76-year-old politician said, “Those telling you I have endorsed a Senator or anyone else as Governor are deceiving you. I have told you that I am still waiting for God to tell me who He wants and Gbemi has not told me or anyone that she wants to be governor.”

For now, the clouds are still gathering and the coast looks very unclear concerning who the future of the state would be bequeathed in 2011. But one thing that is obvious, analysts say, is that no matter the intrigues that would eventually throw up the contenders, the two major determinants would be the senior Saraki and his governor-son, and the sooner they settle their subtle altercation, the better for the peace of the State of Harmony.

There also seems to be a nexus of opinions among the people of the state that whatever the political arithmetic that would prompt the emergence of their leader in 2011, the interest of Kwara and her people should be paramount.

Thursday, February 18, 2010              

How 2011 presidential race is shaping up
From Alifa Daniel, Asst. Political Editor, Abuja

THE next President of Nigeria is not due to take over until another 15 months, but the race would seem to be already shaping up in earnest. All shades of politicians are lining up and strategies, calculations and permutations are deft enough to impress even the worst skeptics around.

There remains the unwritten power rotation code of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which the North hopes to have two-term or eight-year kick at the presidency, following the eight years of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, regarded as the southern slot. President Umaru Yar'Adua is presumed to have begun the North's "turn" but faced with the President's ill-health, what happens to the north's assumed claim to the presidency up to 2015 is now one of the critical questions dominating the political terrain at the moment.

Also, everyone seems to agree that whoever emerges depends on which way the sitting Acting President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan wants the pendulum to swing. The Acting President has managed to ignore the issue, but political some pundits are saying every king is usually interested in power and who takes over from him if it comes to that.

The race may not just be a northern affair. Ambitious southerners such as a former Governor of a South-South State is said to be looking up to the Civil Society Organizations to mass behind him, using a former Managing Director of one of Nigeria's foremost but moribund newspapers as his link to prominent pro-democracy groups. His friends however suggest that he may be playing indirectly for the Vice Presidential slot if thrown in his direction.

However, northern gladiators and young Turks are already featuring prominently. Among those who said to be lining up and showing definite interest are former Head of State and Presidential candidate, retired Major-General Mohammadu Buhari and former Vice President and presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who is reputed to have a huge financial arsenal to dig it out with anyone. There is Alhaji Danjuma Goje, the governor of Gombe State, who is said to have proved his mettle in the State by working actively for unity among the Christians and Moslems although many suggest that his less than political ways of resolving conflicts could count against him. His supporters however are upbeat since his methodologies had yielded positive results. Retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, a Head of State who adopted the title of President in the past is being touted again, although he is not known to have played any open card in this direction, more so when he is still mourning the loss of his wife, Maryam who died last year.

With indications that elections may be called later this year, the names of three dramatis personae under the administration of former Obasanjo are surprisingly popping up as likely to step out to run. They are embattled former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, and the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The third is the erstwhile governor of Bauchi, Alhaji Adamu Muazu. Two of these are said to be looking to using the Obama strategy of mobilizing youths en-masse to win votes in 2011. A secretariat is already on ground with a pro-democracy facade to monitor developments and push the agenda of el Rufai and Ribadu.

Speculations on the alleged throwing up of the three men is coming as Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu made desperate efforts to dispel stories making rounds in the media that gave the impression that his Senate Committee on Constitution Review (SCCR) had taken decisions on recommendations made to it by a technical committee. A statement from Ekweremadu's office said Tuesday: "The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (SCRC) has explained that its proposed recommendations to the Senate are yet to be discussed and agreed upon, urging the public not to rely on recent newspaper reports alleging decisions has been reached already on aspects of the constitution.

He said, "We have not agreed on anything. We have not even discussed the recommendations to be presented to the Senate. That is why we are going to Uyo, to discuss these issues and agree on these things. So it is completely misleading some of the things being reported in the media. We promised to make our recommendation public. There is no need to speculate on the issues when the recommendations will be submitted to the Senate for debate. We are committed to our time line, which is to submit the report within the first quarter of the year.

Let me also assure Nigerians that there is a commitment of both Houses of the National Assembly to push the amendment through and avail it to our country for the conduct of the next general elections."

It first emerged last week that some northern political heavyweights had begun moves to ensure that President Yar'Adua resigns or is removed from office so that a northerner can take up the office of Vice President in the interest of the region. A member of the Senate Leadership told The Guardian that a retired general from the North-West had made overtures to Senators to ensure that a new Vice President from the North is named so that the region is not short-changed in the political equation in the country.

"They are saying the presidency is theirs and if their man cannot continue for health reasons, they should be able at least have the second in command post instead of a situation where the South is now enjoying solely what is rightfully theirs," the Senator said. Some lawmakers had begun meeting to push the presidential ambition of a former president from a state capital that is less than two hours from Abuja by road. Another top government official from the North East with vast experience in the civil service is believed to be interested in being the nation's number two. It was gathered in Abuja last week that all the men involved in the fresh push were calculating that "if they get the number two spot, they would be in a better place to the number one position in 2011."

It was gathered that as part of behind-the-scene negotiations for Acting President Jonathan to take over, it was agreed that he would not contest the 2011 election so that the stability of the country could be guaranteed. "In that way, the slot could be left open for the South-South in 2015," an insider to the negotiations said. The Guardian learnt that the new moves, which a lawmaker said "appeared immoral because the man (Yar'Adua) is sick not of his own making," may crystallize if in the next six weeks the President does not return to the country.

"Except they all know something about the President the rest of us don't know, I don't think it is fair what I am hearing some people are planning to do," the lawmaker added. It was learnt Tuesday that the name of Ribadu, el Rufai, and Muazu is part of a strategy to dislodge old hands in the politics of Nigeria.

"Muazu transformed Bauchi State with infrastructure that is unmatched in the entire North. El-Rufai brought about significant reform in the administration of the Federal Capital Territory and also headed the Public Service Reforms. For Nuhu Ribadu, the way he fought the war on corruption gave Nigeria much needed credibility." The Guardian had reported last Sunday that a former President and a former presidential aspirant, both retired Army Generals were amongst those who had begun to lobby federal lawmakers in an intricate plot to ensure early elections.

In some Abuja political circles, there are claims about support from the international community for some of these persons especially those classed as new generation. "Nigeria's most important diplomatic partners are averse to having persons without known pedigrees becoming President," is one such claim.

Amidst suppositions that Acting President Jonathan, was careful not to show interest in the forthcoming election, there were disclosures that the foot soldiers of the three men were consulting with interest groups including the Afenifere Renewal Group, Ohaneze Indigbo and civil society groups. "The other consideration of the young northerners is that the rest of the country has formed the erroneous impression that the north is the problem of Nigeria. They now want to provide outstanding leadership for Nigeria that will reverse this scandal."

THE United States has simplified visa application process for Nigerians and other countries with the introduction of new online form.

The Consular Coordinator for the US Mission in Nigeria, Mr. Richard Walsh, at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, stated that the new online form, DS-160, replaced the previous application forms: DS-156 ‘non-immigrant visa application; DS-157 ‘supplemental non-immigrant visa application; and DS-158 ‘contact information and work history for non-immigrant visa applicants‘.

Walsh, who said that the new online form would take effect from March 1, noted that visa applicants in Abuja and Lagos would now access the Consular Electronic Application Centre website to complete the new application form.

He said, ”DS-160 is an interactive online form that replaces all past application forms. The form will eliminate the need for paper application forms because visa applicants will be required to submit the application electronically.”

He said that with the DS-160, applicants would print just a confirmation sheet to bring to their interviews, noting that currently, applicants would complete their forms online but must print them out before their interviews.

He listed the advantages of the new online form to include one form for every one instead of three to choose from; completely online - nothing to fill out by hand; family and group feature - no need to fill in identical data more than once; save feature - applicant does not need to complete all at once; frequent applicants can save application for re-use and printing of only a single confirmation page.

He reminded applicants that providing accurate and complete information on the DS-160 application before submitting it was essential.

He said that incorrect or missing information would cause a delay in completing one‘s interview, explaining that applicants should save an electronic copy of their DS-160 application in case changes were necessary.

He said that that the US government was introducing the new application worldwide as part of a larger effort to use new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process.

He said, ”Over the past two years, select US embassies have been using the Ds-160 on a test basis. It is now being deployed at US visa sections worldwide, including both Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria.”

He said the requirement to use the DS-160 applied only to non-immigrant visa applicants, stressing that persons applying for immigrant or fiancé visas should continue to use the existing application process.

Walsh emphasised that only the visa form and the way applicants submit it had changed.

He said that eligibility and documentary requirements for all visas remained unchanged and that applicants must still demonstrate that they are qualified for a visa under the US immigration law.

University of Ilorin, School of Preliminary Studies, set to move to site
From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

ABOUT 1, 500 students of the University of Ilorin, School of Preliminary Studies may next week, begin academic activities at the school's permanent campus, Fufu, Ilorin South Local Council Area of Kwara State.

The school, under a tripartite arrangement among the institution, the council and the state government, was primarily designed to take care of the admission needs of qualified applicants into the university.

Besides, the school was aimed at preventing rural-urban drift and by implication boost the socio-economic fortunes of the people of the area.

Already, 27 classrooms, including a modest health centre and a sprawling hall to accommodate 2,000 students at a time have been completed.

To discover sports talents among the students, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, has directed that basic sporting facilities be mounted at strategic locations within the campus.

Two micro-finance banks have equally shown their interests to promptly commence operations at the area. Besides, three major roads equidistant to the school, Idofian/Oke-Oyi/ University of Ilorin have been graded for tarring.

On inspection tour of the site of the school at the weekend, Oloyede said every other facilities would be put in place for both the comfort of the students and teachers.

Already, a hostel accommodation that can conveniently house 150 female students of the school is already in place.

The university, with its sprawling 16 hectares of land supplied the land while the council through its Joint Account funding with the state supplied the facilities.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Harvard donates $11,000 to KWASU

Emmanuel Addeh, Ilorin

The Vice-Chancellor of the Kwara State University Ilorin, Prof. Abdul rasheed Na'Allah on Thursday disclosed that Harvard University had so far supported the developmental programmes of the newly created university with $11,000.

Na'Allah made this disclosure on the floor of the state House of Assembly while briefing the lawmakers on the activities of the institution.

He told the lawmakers that the university was already collaborating with other foreign universities such as Columbus State University and the University of Indiana in the United States.

The don assured that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the university by making the students first class among their contemporaries in the sub-region and the African continent.

The VC noted that the decision of the state government to establish the university was borne out of the need to provide the students access to a world class university education, stressing that this vision was informed by the government's desire to produce well-grounded, God-fearing and business-minded graduates.

Na'Allah explained that students would be trained to be creative, innovative and resourceful so that upon graduation, they could become self-dependent as job creators rather than job seekers.

He noted that this was to ensure that the students were well-equipped for the challenges of accelerated national development, adding that the institution would always strive to embark on academic programmes relevant to the changing and economic needs of the society.

According to him, "This university will assist the society in understanding its past, defining its present and proactively shaping its future, maintain consistent and unbroken linkage with the society such that researching into the problem of society will be one of our greatest pre-occupations."

He appealed to public-spirited individuals, captains of industry, private and corporate organisations to assist by supporting the institution through the provision of funds and facilities, sponsorship of projects, programmes and research and other forms of grants.

He said government alone could not shoulder the responsibilities of educating everybody.

In his response, the Speaker, Mr. Babatunde Mohammed, urged the VC to do everything within his powers to bring the institution to an enviable state and called proper funding of the university.