The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Adamu Ahmed has treated 100 students of the institution to lunch, urging them to look beyond obtaining a certificate and focus on creating value and solving societal problems.
This was contained in a statement by the Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, ABU, Zaria, on Sunday.
The gesture was at the ‘Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor’ programme at which the Vice-Chancellor interacted with the select group of students and shared with them some of the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities.
The occasion was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Musa Ishiyaku Mohammed.
It was attended by dignitaries, including former president Muhammad Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Malam Garba Shehu.
The Chairman/CEO, Trobell International Nigeria Ltd, Lawal Garba, delivered a keynote lecture at the occasion, while the Director, CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, ABU, Zaria, Prof Auwal Haruna, gave a brief talk on ‘what happened after the classroom’.
Speaking on the programme, the Vice-Chancellor, said the university would sustain the annual event because ” a university is not only its buildings, laboratories, and lecture halls; it is, above all, its people”.
He urged the students to see their time in ABU as more than a period for acquiring a degree, but as an opportunity to discover themselves, develop their talents, build relationships, cultivate character and prepare to contribute meaningfully to society.
“Do not define success merely by graduating with a certificate. Ask yourselves: What value will I create? What problem will I solve? Whose life will I improve? What legacy will I leave?”, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor said the world awaiting the students requires creativity, innovation, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning.
He encouraged them to take advantage of the university’s academic, entrepreneurial, leadership, sporting, cultural and professional opportunities, stressing that the future belongs to those who prepare for it.
Earlier, the Dean of Students gave an overview of the programme, explaining how they were able to draw the list of students selected for participation in the programme.
Students leaders (Students Representatives Council – SRC and Postgraduate Representatives Council -PRC) commended the university management for preparing students for future responsibilities, and urge participants to share the knowledge gained with their fellow students who were not at the event.
The Director, Directorate of Advancement, Prof M I Umar-Buratai, commended the Chairman of the occasion, and the speakers, for supporting the initiative.
He also appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for the initiative to encourage students of the university to develop self-confidence.
He acknowledged with profound appreciation the pledge by the guest speaker, Lawal Garba, to refund the expenses incurred by the university for the customes used by the students at the occasion.
Umar-Buratai further appreciated the guest speaker for the donation of five million Naira (N5 million) for facilitating the journey to Brazil by ABU students who will represent Nigeria at the ENACTUS World Cup in November.
The event also featured friends and relatives of the guest speakers, as well as a delegation from Jam’Iyyar Matan Arewa led by its President, Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa, an alumna of ABU
