Nigerian politicians have been called upon to give more priority to nation building than self centeredness.

The Vice Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu made the called at the Nineth National Conference of the Department of History and International Studies held at the University Auditorium.

He urged politicians on to come together irrespective of ethnic and political affiliations to make Nigeria a better place to live.

The Conference is with the theme: “Power, Authority and Governance: Some Critical Challenges in the Post 2023 General Elections.

Professor Abu Kasim Adamu explained that while general elections are over and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed as the winner at the Supreme Court, there is the need for all political stakeholders to come together to finetune ways of moving the country forward.

The Vice Chancellor noted that with Nigeria facing a lot of challenges like general insecurity, poverty, food insecurity, infrastructural decay, education, health and other sectors that needed urgent attention, success will not be achieved without cooperation and contributions from all the relevant stakeholders.

In his welcome remarks the Head of Department of History and International Studies, Dr. Mamman Saba Abdulkadir highlighted the importance of the theme of the conference, saying Nigeria is passing through a challenging period since inception of the present democratic experience, 1999 to 2023 which requires the academia to take stock of milestone and challenges to chart out new ways.

He added that Nigeria is moving very close to a failed state scenario where the country leaders time and again neglect stewardship of public food in favor of zero sum political games and accumulation of personal and family wealth.

He also qouted the premier of Northern Region, late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto who summed up the essence of government as “A government has no business of being a government if it is not built on an acceptable constitution that protect the rights, life and property of it citizens, guaranteed the rule of law and provides greater happiness among the greater numbers of the people”.

In his presentation the Keynote Speaker the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Nasir Maiturare x-rayed the 2023 elections as one of the most competitive presidential elections in the history of Nigeria, adding that power, authority and governance constitute the tripod upon which the destiny of nation rest.

He said that Nigeria faced serious challenges during and after the 2023 general elections, maintaining that the nineth conference of historians and social science scholars would explore the situation with the academic rigour.

Also in his presentation the Lead Speaker, Professor Abubakar Sadeeque Abba, a professor of Political Economy & Development Studies, Conflict Ology and Alternative Paradigms,
Department of Political Science & International Relations, University of Abuja, said the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant, followers cannot be mere consumers of good governance; they must be participants and co-creators.

He added that power Is a means to an end, not an end in itself. That power is a tool for, and an instrument of self glorification, Power, in Nigeria is a road/journey, not a destination.

Professor Abba said Post-election periods can provide opportunities for strengthening democratic institutions, such as electoral commissions, judiciary, and regulatory bodies. However, he said this also poses a challenge as it requires concerted efforts to ensure the independence, transparency, and efficiency of these institutions like Electoral Commission, Judiciary, Media and Citizens, thereby reinforcing the democratic process and upholding the rule of law.

He also said a change in government can create uncertainty in the business and investment sectors, potentially leading to economic challenges such as market fluctuations, decreased investor confidence, and policy paralysis, which can negatively impact on the overall economic stability of the country.

He explained that the Post-election periods often necessitate efforts to promote social cohesion and reconciliation, particularly in situations where the electoral process has exacerbated social divisions which may require initiatives to promote dialogue, understanding, and compromise among different factions within society.

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has confirmed the promotions of fourteen to Professorial cadre.

The announcement for the confirmation was made at the 94th regular meeting of the Senate held in the Senate Chamber, Main Campus, Lapai.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu announced that the State Ministry of Tertiary Education had earlier ratify the promotions in the absence of Council yet to be put in place.

Those promoted to professorial seat are: Dr. Ango Nuhu Aliyu, Professor of Business Administration; Dr. Aidelokai Dennis Idonije, Public Administration;
Dr. John Jiya, Counselling Psychology; Dr. Abubakar Mohammed Mawoli, Business Administration; Dr. Kabir Mohammed Adamu, Biological Science.

Others new professors are, Dr. Bashir Danlami Sarkindaji, Business Administration; Dr. Musa Yahaya Dutsu, Arabic; Dr. Baba John, Micro biology; and Dr. Musa Mohammed, Chemistry respectively.

Those promoted to Readers (Associates Professors) are: Dr. Abdul-Hadi Adeniyi Salahudeen, Arabic; Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Letswa, Political Science; Dr. Abubakar Abdulkadir, Mathematics; Dr. Aliyu Alhaji Zakariyya, Science Education; and Dr. Kudu Dangana Geography.

Congratulating them, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu urged them to continue to work harder and use their new positions for the growth of the University.

He also extended a congratulatory message from the Visitor, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Niger State, Right Honourable Umaru Muhammad Bago and the Honourable Commissioner , Tertiary Education urging them to be more dedicated to teaching and research.

It would be recalled that the University’s Appointment and Promotion Committee had at its 44th sitting recommended the promotion of the  academic staff.

The first batch of teams from the National Universities Commission (NUC) for accreditation of some academic programmes of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai has arrived.

In a welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Hassan Ibrahim, assured the teams of the Management’s maximum cooperation for a hitch-free exercise.

He said that the exercise was very important to the University and enjoined them to be objective in their assessment so as to ensure quality of all academic programmes of the Institution.

Responding, the Leader of the teams, Professor Mubaraq Sanni assured the Management of fair and objective assessments of all the programmes in order to improve the quality and standard of various academic programmes in the University.

He sought for the cooperation of the University to facilitate their assignment.

Programmes available for the accreditation exercise by the first batch are, MSc. Accounting and BSc. Arabic.

The Centre for Arts and Indigenous Studies (CAIS), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai and its Director, Professor Sule Emmanuel Egya have won foreign grants for the University.

A letter signed by Professor Egya informing the University Management stated that while one of the grants is in monetary term worth $36,245, which is about N29 million, the other is fellowship.

He added that the amount is expected to fund a joint project by the Centre and Eloyi Foundation in Nasarawa State.

Professor Egya stated that the monetary grant is sponsored by Modern Endangered Archieve program of the University of California, Los Angeles to work on “Digitalizing and Curating Eloyi Cassette Recordings”.

For the Senior Research Fellowship which is won by the Director himself, Professor Sule Emmanuel Egya, it is sponsored by the College of Social Sciences and Humanities of the University Alliance, Flurd Region, Germany.

The Fellow is expected to stay in the University of Duisburg for six months to undertake research on, “Decolonial Ecology: African Literature, Indigenous Practices and Planetary Balance”.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu had since congratulated Professor Egya and said the two grants would definitely raise the University’s research profile on the global map.

He challenged other researchers in the University to buckle up for more wins.

The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai and the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) are to partner in the production of improved Shea seedlings, training programme and certification to global standard.

The agreement to engage in the partnership came as a result of a meeting between the University Management and the Leadership of the Association.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu hinted that the University was ready to partner with NASPAN, and both partners to come up with a Memorandum of Understanding, expressing the confidence that all interests would be resolved.

He decried the spate of felling of shea trees and the unhealthy export, and observed that Niger State and indeed the nation were being shortchanged, hence the need for the University to salvage the situation.

The Vice Chancellor stressing that there has been a special interest in the University for the production of Shea butter with many research projects going on.

Professor Adamu disclosed that already, some researchers in the University are already running grants of the National Research Fund intervention in shea production.

Speaking earlier, the National President of the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria, Malam Mohammed Ahmed Kontagora said the demand for Shea increases daily with sixty percent coming from Niger State.

He described the situation as worrisome, hence the request to partner with the University to give the sector the desired attention with much training and certification in the application of Shea products.

Malam Ahmed Kontagora noted that with nature endowing the State with Shea trees, it should be made one of the premium non-oil export commodities.

The national President therefore itemized areas of partnership needed with the University to include, Shea Parkland Afforestation and Reforestation (SPARE) Project, Training programmes that will help facilitating effective implementation of the Association’s objectives, and research in improved seedlings.

He said with all these, the University is the best bet to promote Shea products activities, given the much needed fund.

Also, the Coordinating Director of Research and Development, Professor Nuhu Obaje disclosed the University’s research on Shea has reached about seventy percent completion, adding that on the campus alone, a total of two thousand, nine hundred and eighty two Shea trees have been counted, adding that a Shea Management Committee already exist in the University.

Professor Obaje who is the NNPC Basinal Chair Professor, reiterated the need for more partnership in order to promote Shea production.

In their separate submission, Professors Mohammed Aliyu Paiko, Naomi Dadi- Mahmud, Abubakar Sadeeq Ibrahim Gudugi and Alimi Folorunso Lawal the partnership was very apt and timely considering the interest of the Institution in shea production.

The were unanimous on the fact that a Memorandum of Understanding was needed for the two parties study and work with.

A committee which include members of the Association was immediately set up to discuss the modalities of the Memorandum.

 

The accreditation team from the Council of Mining Engineers and Geoscientists (COMEG) who have been in IBBUL for accreditation of Geology courses concluded their assignment successfully.

Receiving the team during, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu expressed delight at the way and manner members conducted themselves in the course of their assignment.

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Hassan Ibrahim, the Vice Chancellor assured the team of the University Management’s willingness to look into all the necessary observations by COMEG with a view to rectifying them.

He also assured that the Management would continue to support the Geology Department and staff, especially in their field trips and regulatory training.

Professor Adamu noted the accreditation being a replica of that of the National Universities Commission (NUC), the University is ready to comply with the team’s assessments.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the team, Professor Sola Ojo from the Federal University, Ado Ekiti told the University Management that the accreditation exercise was carried out successfully.

He said during the exercise, the team discovered that the University was underfunded, hence the dirt of requisite infrastructure on campus.

He promised to ensure that COMEG supports the Department IBBUL at all time, they were around only for peer review.

In a vote of thanks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki expressed delight over the exercise and promised everything humanly possible would be done to ensure that the department Excelled.

Highlight of the exit briefing included presentation of Souvenir to members of the team by the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu has called for paradigm shift in the struggles of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

The Vice Chancellor made the call in his opening remarks during the celebration of ASUU Day which took place in the Auditorium at the main campus, Lapai.

The ASUU Day which had the theme, “ASUU Struggles, the Fate of State Universities”, was hosted by the IBBUL Chapter of the Union.

Professor Adamu called on the ASUU National body to have a paradigm shift by engaging in negotiations, dialogues and plead with government to get what is due to their members, stressing that they otherwise remain in stagnation.

He noted that the zeal, passion and commitment of the Union make members feel a sense of belonging, translating to their welfare.

The Vice Chancellor said the celebration of ASUU Day came at a time when universities from the Federal, State and Private were struggling for survival, saying the topic of presentation would highlight some of the areas that will assist the managers of universities to know where they are now and where they are going to be and how they are going to be there.

Professor Adamu thanked ASUU for their doggedness, passion and relentless struggles to uplift and upgrade the educational system of the country which has yielded so many results.

He cited the TETfund, Needs Assessment and so many, that if not for the struggles of ASUU would not have been how they are today, urging ASUU to keep on with the struggles to see how they can impact on the infrastructural development of universities.

The Lead Paper Presenter, Professor Nasir Isah Fagge, a Professor of Nuclear Physics, with Bayero University, Kano in his presentation, mentioned some cardinal issues that are the basis of ASUU struggles, which include, inadequate funding, conditions of service and university autonomy, Academic freedom; to ensured that universities leave up to their mandate and also effectively compete at the international arena.

Professor Nasir Fagge explained that most Nigerian universities are not between the rank of first one thousand internationally, and in Africa, only few now are moving towards the one hundred within the African community.

He lamented that Nigeria as a giant of Africa does not have any reason for its Universities not to compete locally and internationally, saying that the 21st century is knowledge based economy.

He stressed that countries that are moving and making impact, like China, India, Brazil and even South Africa are countries that started working together with Nigeria in the 80’s, noting that many of those countries were borrowing ideas from Nigeria, which does not make Nigeria to have any reason being lagged behind.

Professor Fagge pointed out that such is the reason that in this year’s ASUU Day celebration, the issues of State Universities and their challenges was extensively discussed viz-a-viz the struggles of ASUU and what needed to be done to ensure that state universities play their roles in terms of developing the human capital that will require to develop Nigeria.

He expressed displeasure over how some Visitors to State Universities claim that ASUU members are only embarking on sympathy strike whenever the Federal Universities are on strike, maintaining that it is those ASUU strike in the past that produced TETfund, Needs Assessment intervention used to address infrastructure deficit created by them.

In his remarks the National President of ASUU, Professor Victor Emmanuel Osodeke said State Universities play vital roles in nation building and therefore ASUU members at the Federal Universities and those of States are all the same.

He discredited the news of him being misinterpreted for saying State Universities are quacks, maintaining that he was referring to Kaduna and Kwara States Universities when during the recent strike, the Vice Chancellors worked with the Visitors to ensure that exams took place.

He wondered how a lecture by a professor would have an examination questions set by a Youth Corps member, hence his reference as quacks, not all State Universities.

Professor Osodeke commended the Management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for taking care of the welfare of its staff seriously, saying the University is among the first three that are not owing its staff salaries and arrears, which is commendable.

In their separate remarks the immediate pass President of ASUU Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, the Provost College of Education, Minna, Professor Muhammad Yakubu Auna and the immediate past IBB University Acting Council Chairman, Professor Mohammed Bashir Nuhu, commended Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for hosting the ASUU Day celebration, saying it is a celebration of victory, glory and achievement, gotten from ASUU’s struggles and also to fine tune on way out on some of its challenges, particularly faced by State Universities.

They also commended the Management of IBBU, Lapai for giving the welfare of its staff priority.

In his vote of thanks, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Abuja, Professor Lawal Salawu, appreciated the Management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for providing enabling grounds for ASUU members and also for supporting them to host the ASUU Day.

Highlights of the event was solidarity songs, presentations of survenirs to ASUU National EXCO members and awards to the heroes of the branch