Kogi govt. grants PAAU full management of its IGR »

…as governor Bello inaugurate projects, bag honorary doctoral degree

Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello has granted Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba the total management of funds generated from its coffers noting that the institution under her current leadership have proven its probity, accountability and judicious use of resources.

The governor made this known on Saturday during his visit to the institution as part of the 6th Convocation ceremony where he inaugurated several projects in the university, including Administrative blocks, office complex, Cashew Processing plant and a well equipped entrepreneurship centre.

The governor was also awarded an honourary doctorate degree in Public Finance by the Senate of the institution.

Kogi governor in his remarks pointed out that his administration often matched words with action adding that his drive for women inclusion in government produced the first Female University Vice Chancellor in the state, Professor Marietu Tenuche, who has proven herself as a perfect representation of women in leadership.

He noted that just in one year of her leadership, she has been able to introduce several infrastructural projects, while also securing a 100% accreditation for the institution and managing the institution effective which showed clearly that she was a perfect choice.

The governor asserted that Kogi state which was created in 1991, was now a star state under his owing to how it has demonstrated unity, security and togetherness despite the challenges faced by the country.

He added that the government inherited a state divided along ethnic, religious, political and several lines of division but now could boast as the safest state in the country despite the few challenges being faced and was now united than it was before.

The governor revealed that the policy trust was that In the state what qualifies anyone for leadership was the quality and value rendered and not their tribe, religion or affiliation adding that the entirety of Kogi state’s resources was used for the citizens of the state.

He urged students of graduating from the institution to learn from his administration’s leadership style and take same into the larger society noting that the older leaders who loved the country should leave the driving seat for younger leaders.

The Governor while inaugurating the Cashew Processing plant expressed delight that the state have a product and processing unit upon which the Raw Material and Research Development commission donated a machine to augment that already existing structures and that Kogi’s model was copied to other higher institutions in the country.

The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro who joined the governor on the inauguration event, commended the university leadership for executing quality infrastructural projects and facilitating creative programmes note worthy of which was the entrepreneurship center and the Cashew Processing plant.

He added that it was such a fantastic idea that the Raw Material and Research Development Commission was partnering with universities across the country but specifically the fact that PAAU’S was exporting its skills to other neigbouring institutions

The Director General, Raw Material and Research Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Hussaini Doko Ibrahim represented noted that the Council has been collaborating with the University since 2009 in the development of Cashew Value chain and together with the institution they establish a cashew nut processing plant.

According to the DG, the products which emerged from the processing including breads, cakes were distributed and well received within the communities and outside the state adding that in furtherance the council took the model to other universities while it also acquired machines for four universities to facilitate processing of liquid substances from cashew nuts to further produce, paints, hydraulic oil, insecticides and other finished products.