Africa’s richest conglomerate, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group and Chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, ADUSTECH, Wudil, has pledged N15 billion for various capital projects in the university as his contribution. Mr Dangote announced the donation at the university during the 5th combined convocation ceremony held yesterday Saturday in Kano.
According to Dangote, the funds would be spread to support a five-year development plan to upgrade the university to a global standards.
He disclosed that the planned projects would include design and construction of additional student hostels, design and construction of engineering labs and workshops.
Other projects will also include the design and construction of a world-class multipurpose computer laboratory that would have a 24-hour internet access for the school in this modern digital world.
The business mogul added that others will be the design and construction of a befitting Senate building and post-NYSC career opportunities for high-performing students.
Meanwhile, Dangote applauded Gov. Abba Yusuf for displaying commitment to address the issue of out-of-school children in the state.
Accordingly, Dangote has urged wealthy individuals like himself to support the government’s initiatives in enrolling children into school saying that public contributions were critical for the country’s overall development.
Justice Abdu Aboki, Pro-Chancellor of the university, applauded Dangote’s generosity towards the school, promising that such gesture would bring modern development to the university.
He stated that the institution was working hard to produce graduates with expertise in both character and learning.
In his remark, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Musa-Tukur Yakasai, said the convocation ceremony celebrated hard work and resilience, disclosing that over 18,000 students graduated in the seven combined convocations.
He commended the Kano State Government for settling the university’s backlog of over N100 million and completing abandoned projects on campus.
According to the vice-chancellor the selection of recipients of honorary Doctorate Degrees were basically chosen on merit and their contributions to the state and Nigeria.
He reiterated that all the 45 courses being offered by the university were fully accredited by the National University Commission, NUC.
Mr Yakasai, however, commended the state government’s commitment to supporting the university’s development, while adding that the university’s researchers had gained international recognition.
Those conferred with Honourary Doctorate Degrees include; Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Author Eze, Dr Adeniyi Raji (SAN), Ado Mohammad-Mustapha (Amasco),and Sen. Rabiu Musa kwankwaso.
Personalities from different works of life and across the country graced the occasion.
The governor congratulated the institution and the students on successfully completing their studies.
He pledged continued support for the institution’s optimal performance and announced two exciting opportunities for the top nine students.
They were granted automatic employment and foreign scholarships to study at universities of their choice abroad in recognition of their outstanding performances.
More so, the governor also congratulated his god-father, Kwankwaso, the founder of the institution, while reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the institution’s values.
Mr Kwankwaso, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, expressed gratitude for Dangote’s commitment to investing N15 billion in the institution, which would facilitate its development.
Dahiru Mangal also received commendation for his pledge to construct a 500-capacity female hostel.
The awardees vowed to continue supporting the institution’s growth and expressed their commitment to supporting the institution’s optimal performance.NAN