The Niger State Government has again reiterated her commitment to the growth of education as as panacea for development.

 

The State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello stated this at the opening ceremony of Governance meeting of Connected Learning for Teacher Capacity Building in Stem held at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

 

The Governor who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Professor(Engineer)Abubakar Baba Aliyu, said no society will

improve without education, stressing that it is a powerful driver for development and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health and peace.

 

He assured the Reseach Team of an enabling environment as well as ready to sponsor any research work.

 

In his Welcome Address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu explained that the Connected Learning for STEM is being scaled through a global South-South cooperation to develop and upgrade the skills of teachers in science, engineering and mathematics in Nigeria,Tanzania and Bhutan.

 

According to him, IBBUL is a global centre of excellence in research and development, adding that the University is involved in all areas that touches national and global economic development and advancement of human development indices.

 

He said IBBUL has worked through funding from National Raw Materials Research and development Council for development of new technologies for accelerated exploration and production of Nigeria’s mineral resources and production of juice and fertilizer from Shea as a basis for economic diversification, job creation and poverty reduction.

 

Professor Adamu added that IBBUL is researching into the development of Covid-19 remedies, leading research with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation noting that the University was the first to earn a Professorial Chair endowment from the Corporation among other research works.

 

The Vice Chancellor assured that the University would work earnestly with the project team to ensure that the outcome of the studies are embedded in the respective country policy formulation for education and curriculum development.

 

He appreciated the Project funder, Global Partnership for Education and International Development Research Center Canada,Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India (TISS), affirming that the IBBUL is fully supported by the Proprietor of the University, the Executive Governor of Niger State Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and the University Council Members.

 

In their Separate Goodwill messages Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq and the  Commissioner for Education Also represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Abdullahi Iman said the Ministries were ready to collaborate with like minds to develop educational sector in the state.

 

During a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, Etsu Lapai, Alhaji Umar  Bago Tafida III, he affirmed that knowledge is cardinal to every society.

 

The Etsu said as an Emirate which plays host to the University, the collaboration is appreciated, stating that the emirate indeed value the service.

 

Highlight of the opening ceremony included  decoration of the Vice Chancellor with Indian Saris, presentation of gift to the Research partners

from India, Bhutan and Tanzania by the University.

 

The event was  had in attendance some Principals from schools in Niger State.