Shettima unveils BUA’s N1bn innovation centre donated to UNIMAID

As VP, Shehu, Rabiu bag honorary doctorate degrees

Vice President Kashim Shettima has unveiled the N1billion International Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship donated to the University of Maiduguri by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative.

Unveiling the edifice situated in the heart of the university yesterday, Shettima, who represented Tinubu, described the donation as “service to humanity.”

The centre has 150 auditoriums, artisans and handcraft section, fabrication machine laboratory, training zone, coding and app development laboratory, robotics, drones and mechatronics, laboratory and incubation spaces, among others.

In his remark, the vice chancellor of the university,

Professor Aliyu Shugaba, expressed optimism that the centre would foster a thriving innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages creativity, collaboration and experimentation.

“It will provide a platform for individuals and other stakeholders launch and grow new ventures, creating a social and economic impact in the process. In future, products of the centre will be capable of creating enterprises for self-employment,” he said.

The commissioning of the project heralded line up of programmes that include graduation and presentation of certificates to 33,429 graduates and 1,698 postgraduates who have successfully completed their various courses of study in the university since 2018 to date.

Also, Vice President Shettima, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai, the owner of BUA, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and the former registrar of the university, Dahiru Bobbo, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees.

Among those that graced the occasion were the chancellor of the university; Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, Vice President Shettima; Governor Babagana Umara Zulum; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe; a philanthropist, Alhaji Muhammad Indimi; National Assembly members; traditional rulers, among others.