Al-Makura: Supporting FG’s Educational Programme in Nasarawa
Realising the enormous value the ivory tower adds to the educational development of any society, Governor Tanko Al-Makura’s administration was frontal in ensuring that the Federal University, Lafia started on a good footing and leaps to become one of the
The Federal University, Lafia (FULafia) was established in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State in 2010 by the Goodluck Jonathan administration as one of the 12 new federal universities established in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
The university commenced academic activities in September 2012 with its first set of students trained by the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ekanem Braide. It currently has a second Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Liman, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, after the expiration of Braide’s tenure.
To ensure that the university commences its activities in the state in earnest, Governor Tanko Al-Makura has since the take-off of the institution, continued to provide moral and infrastructural support to it. Accordingly, the governor donated to the institution the old Nasarawa State Government Secretariat to serve as its take-off site. This was in addition to residential accommodation he provided for the vicechancellor and the registrar, including a guest house for the university. Not only has the governor secured a permanent site for the university, he has also constructed a block of female hostel at the institution to relieve the students of unnecessary stress and pressure of accommodation.
Speaking during the inauguration of a twin lecture hall constructed by the management of the institution and named after him ‘Umaru Tanko Al-Makura Lecture Hall’ in recognition of the governor’s support for the institution, Al-Makura said: “It is pertinent to further state that in our strategic resolve to facilitate the establishment of a medical college, this administration has donated a newly constructed comprehensive general hospital in Lafia to serve as the teaching hospital for the institution. It is our expectation that the university is doing the needful to ensure the commencement of programmes in the college.”
The governor, who pointed out that he was impressed by the growth of the university both in academics and infrastructure,
expressed hope that “the doggedness of the governing council, the vice-chancellor and indeed the entire management of the university to ensure professionalism in the affairs of the institution will earn accreditation of courses, as well as the take-off of postgraduate programmes in the university.
“No doubt, this determination vis-à-vis your avowal to entrench the culture of hard work, discipline,
integrity and academic excellence has already given you an edge over your peers. This is how it should be.” Al-Makura told members of the university community that it was gratifying to note that their commitment in that direction is in line with his administration’s determination to revolutionise education in the state.
“It would be recalled that when we first assumed office in May 2011, I made a solemn declaration that education is one of the key sectors we will accord topmost priority. It is in this connection that we embarked on rapid construction, rehabilitation and provision of infrastructural facilities in our primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the state.”
He stated that the inauguration of the lecture hall will no doubt add impetus to his administration’s resolve to bequeath an educational system that will provide a twin goal of quality education that will mould the character the students on the one hand and produce economically viable citizens of Nigeria, adding that a well-educated citizenry is more economically productive.
“In this regard, I make a covenant with you that development of education will be a legacy that Tanko Al-Makura would be remembered for.”
In recognition of the governor’s laudable achievements in the state education sector and his support for the Federal University, Lafia, the federal government has commended Al-Makura for his commitment to the basic and tertiary education sub-sectors in the state. The commendation was sequel to the donation of the state government old secretariat as a temporary take-off site for the university and the allocation and development of hostel accommodation at the permanent site.
During a familiarisation visit to the governor, the then Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Mr. Basharun Arogbofa expressed the federal government’s position. The visit was part of activities leading to the take-off of the permanent site in Lafia.
Also, the governor’s support to the university would remain indelible in the mind of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Liman, who could not conceal his excitement during a thank you visit to the governor. He stated that there is no record of any other state government that has assisted a federal government institution as much as what the government of Al-Makura has done for the institution in the past six years.
He said the efforts demonstrated the governor’s personal commitment to develop the education sector in the state and the country, adding that the governor’s contributions have enabled the institution to function effectively.
The vice-chancellor highlighted the governor’s support to the university to include the donation of the old state government secretariat, registrar’s lodge, electricity transformer, female hostel and donation of the comprehensive general hospital, Lafia to the university to serve as the institution teaching hospital.
Liman said: “The passion for education by the governor, which has translated into concrete achievements, as well as his desire for academic excellence, has made the university to honour him by naming a newly constructed 500-seater lecture hall after him; which would be called Umaru Tanko Al-Makura Lecture Hall.”