Vice President Kashim Shettima has made a powerful declaration, stating that putting resources into education is never a risky bet. He described the sector as a deliberate and lasting commitment to securing Nigeria's future prosperity and stability.
A Convocation of Pioneers in Borno
The Vice President delivered this message on Saturday during the combined convocation ceremonies of Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU) in Maiduguri, Borno State. The historic event saw a total of 2,294 students graduate, spanning the 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025 academic sessions.
Addressing the gathering, Shettima emphasized that education remains the most potent instrument for national development, economic empowerment, and the liberation of society from poverty and strife. "No investment in education is ever a gamble. It is a conscious plan for a better, more secure future," he firmly stated.
Rewarding Excellence and Building Resilience
In a significant move to incentivize academic excellence, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, announced automatic employment for the 81 best graduating students of the university. He also granted them immediate postgraduate scholarships for studies within and outside Nigeria.
"Excellence must be rewarded. These young men and women have earned the confidence of the Borno State Government," Governor Zulum said. He charged all graduates to step into the world as worthy ambassadors and active agents of societal development.
Reflecting on the local context, Vice President Shettima noted that Borno State understands the severe cost of neglecting education, having endured years of disruption caused by the Boko Haram insurgency. "Borno has paid a heavy price for the years education was disrupted. Yet, the people chose resilience over despair and learning over loss," he added, praising the state's unwavering spirit.
Leadership and Legacy at Kashim Ibrahim University
Shettima commended the entire academic and administrative community of KIU for laying a solid foundation for learning in the heart of the North-East. He specifically praised Governor Zulum, whom he described as the visionary leader who transformed the idea of the university into a lasting institution.
The Vice President also applauded the university's Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, for his steadfast commitment to Borno State, especially during the peak of its security challenges. "Alhaji Indimi's wealth has consistently been deployed for the good of society, particularly when Borno needed it most," Shettima noted.
In a practical gesture of support, the Vice President announced the donation of two electric vehicles to enhance the university's campus shuttle services, calling it a modest contribution to ease mobility and support the learning environment.
The convocation also featured the installation of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi II, as the Chancellor of the university. The monarch pledged to work tirelessly for the accelerated growth of the institution. Both the Ooni and Alhaji Indimi were conferred with honorary Doctor of Letters degrees.
Providing an update on the university's development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Babagana Gutti, disclosed that KIU's ultra-modern teaching hospital is nearing completion. He stated that upon completion, it would be the largest and most equipped teaching hospital in Nigeria, serving as a national reference point for medical training and service.
Professor Gutti added that the institution, established during Shettima's own tenure as Governor of Borno, has been ranked as Nigeria's fastest-growing university, with over 50 physical projects completed by the state government.
