Richest man to visit Botswana

Norris said that Salisu has been very adamant that for Africa to move forward and prosper, “we need intra Africa trade, close collaboration between African countries.

“That has been his theme throughout that is why we always go for trade talks and deals with the west before we talk among ourselves”.

Norris said that Salisu has also been a very close friend of his who bought into his vision that UB should not remain a local college and has supported UB when it began recruiting international students.

“We started at Nigeria, he gave us support by making everything possible, our journey was so smooth and problem free. He told us that he will be very happy if we get Nigerian students to come into the University of Botswana, he assigned, the Head of Chancery, Godwin Okoro to be with us and he took us to all the relevant offices in Nigeria”.

Norris said he felt “mixed emotions” when he learnt that Salisu who has been a “pillar for UB” was leaving because his term of office was coming to an end.

“I called him and asked him to continue supporting this country and the UB and he said indeed he will continue supporting UB and Botswana and encourage investors to come here”.

Salisu was instrumental in bringing the richest man in Africa Aliko Dankote to Botswana. Norris said that when they went to Nigeria it was not only about recruiting students it was about forging collaboration with universities in Nigeria.

Some of you will notice that they recently invited a rapid COVID test kit capable of producing results within 40 minutes. What is also very interesting is that it is mobile and can even be operated by people who are not highly skilled.

“This shows that if we work together

Africa has everything; all we need is to work closely as we have common issues. But when we put our heads together we can solve these common problems,” the VC said.

For his part Salusi thanked the Vice Chancellor for the honour, which he said he did not expect. He said Nigeria is blessed with a lot of intellectuals and has established a Directorate of Technical Education.

“We have a reservoir of researchers,” he said adding that they would be willing to provide such services if Botswana needed them. He promised to be one of the ambassadors for Nigeria, Botswana and UB wherever he goes.

Salisu also promised to engage Aliko Dankote and his brother to come here, saying he will be in the delegation when they finally land in Botswana. “If Dankote does not have something then he knows who has such a thing,” he said about business prospects between Botswana and Africa’s richest man.