FUGA Convocates 349 Graduates, Confers Honorary Doctorate on Buni, Others
By Baba Dan’Iya
The Federal University Gashua (FUGA) on Saturday held its maiden combined convocation ceremony where 349 graduates across four faculties were awarded degrees, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s history.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Maimuna Waziri, said the convocation was a celebration of academic excellence, institutional growth and a demonstration of resilience since the establishment of the university on Feb. 18, 2013.
She said the graduating students represent the university’s first, second and third sets, drawn from the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Management and Social Sciences, and Science.
“This ceremony is a testament to years of dedication, perseverance, and academic pursuit.
“On behalf of the Governing Council, Senate and entire staff, I congratulate all our graduating students and their families for this remarkable achievement,” Waziri said.
She commended the Yobe State Government for allocating land for the university’s expansion and recognised the contribution of the Governing Council, staff, students and host community for their support to the institution’s growth.
Prof. Waziri also acknowledged the interventions of key agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Rural Electrification Agency, North-East Development Commission (NEDC), NITDA, NCC, FERMA, and NEMA, among others.
She expressed special appreciation to former Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, for facilitating strategic development projects to the university, and to the Emir of Bade, in whose domain the institution is situated.
Highlighting one of the key traditions of the convocation, the university conferred honorary doctorate degrees on prominent Nigerians who have made outstanding contributions to national development.
Among the recipients were Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs.
Others were Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, President of the 9th Senate; Hon. Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I (rtd), Emir of Lafiya and former Supreme Court Justice; and Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, former Head of the Federal Civil Service.
In his remarks, Governor Buni expressed appreciation for the honorary degree and congratulated the university on hosting a peaceful and successful convocation.
He noted that his administration had declared a state of emergency on education on assumption of office in 2019, leading to massive investments in school reconstruction, teacher recruitment, girl-child education, and establishment of model schools across the state.
“Our administration has reconstructed over 250 schools destroyed by insurgents, built 15 mega and model schools, and employed over 5,000 qualified teachers,” Buni said.
The governor also revealed that 171 graduates sponsored to Indian universities for medical and allied courses had returned and were now deployed to boost the state’s health workforce.
He highlighted the establishment of a Biomedical Research and Training Centre at Yobe State University, which is now partnering with global experts to investigate the high incidence of kidney failure in parts of the state.
Buni called on Nigerian universities to embrace entrepreneurial education as a strategy to create self-reliance and reduce youth unemployment.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to ease access to higher education for Nigerian youths.
Buni congratulated his fellow awardees and urged the new graduates to be good ambassadors of Federal University Gashua.
Our Correspondent reports that the event was attended by dignitaries from across the country, including traditional rulers, public officials, academics and families of the graduates.
