42nd Convocation: ABU to honour old Kano military governor, UN Scribe, two others with Honorary Degrees

By Baba Aminu

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria will confer honorary doctorate degrees on four distinguished Nigerians at its 42nd/Diamond Jubilee Convocation scheduled for Saturday, 28th January, 2023.

SOLACEBASE reports that the degree awardees include former military governor of old Kano State Col. Sani Bello (Rtd) and Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Ms. Amina J. Mohammed.

Others are former Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Jibo and Katsina-based philanthropist Hajiya Fatima Lami Usman Kurfi.

A statement issued by Auwalu Umar, Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria , Thursday, said the decision by the institution to confer the honorary degrees on the illustrious Nigerians followed recommendation of the Honorary Degrees Committee to the Senate of the University.

‘’The Senate approved the Committee’s recommendation and made same to the Governing Council of the University which it (Council) finally approved for the conferment of the honorary degrees, ‘’the statement said.

‘’Col. Sani Bello (Rtd), who as a military governor of old Kano State in 1977 established the two famous Science Secondary Schools in Dawakin Kudu and Dawakin Tofa, whose products have continued to make positive impact nationally and globally, is to be conferred with a Doctor of Science Degree (D.Sc.).’’

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According to the statement, the former governor, now a community leader and an educationist in his native town of Kontagora in Niger State, established Mustapha Comprehensive School and Sani Bello Vocational Training Centre as a philanthropic gesture to his community. The centre has provided over 3,000 youths with specialized skills among whom 418 are people with special needs.

‘’And through Sani Bello Foundation the former governor has continued to provide free medical outreach to more than 7,000 beneficiaries and over 5,000 scholarships to indigent students in public universities. ‘’

‘’The University will confer a Doctor of Law Degree (LL.D) on the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group Ms. Amina J. Mohammed.

Amina was a Minister of Environment during which she steered Nigeria’s efforts on climate action and efforts to protect the natural environment. ‘’

‘’When she first joined the United Nations in 2012 as Special Adviser to the then Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon with the responsibility of post 2015 development planning, Amina led the process that resulted in global agreement around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ‘’

‘’The former Bursar of Ahmadu Bello University, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Jibo, is to be honoured with a Doctor of Literature Degree (D.Litt) for being a humanitarian who has demonstrated a track record of honesty above personal gains. ‘’

Jibo’s trajectory of public service in various public and private institutions in Nigeria is remarkable and exemplary. His sincerity and commitment to service earned him the position of the second indigenous person to be appointed Bursar of the University, a job which he served diligently and sincerely.

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Hajiya Fatima Lami Usman Kurfi will be conferred with a Doctor of Education Degree (D.Ed.) for being philanthropist and a dogged advocate for girl child education. Her effort in this regard culminated in her setting up a school in her home town of Kurfi in Katsina State which provides a mixture of Western and Islamic education.

As a septuagenarian, Hajiya Fatima enrolled into Al-Qalam University, Katsina and earned a degree in 2015 at the age of 75. She has worked with several NGOs building schools and providing services in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and her home state of Katsina.

His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, will confer the honorary degrees to the awardees at the upcoming convocation ceremony.