...Says GSU Tuition Fees To Remain Affordable
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has tasked Gombe State University to consider introducing new academic programmes tailored towards equipping students with the skills required by the burgeoning industries emerging within the state, especially with the oil exploration at Kolmani and the establishment of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.
He also urged the institution to develop Innovative ways to attract funding through building partnership in order to meet its obligation.
The Governor gave the charge on Saturday, while speaking at the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th combined convocation ceremony of the Gombe State University (GSU) held at the institution’s complex.
Recognizing the industrial evolution of Gombe State as the prominent commercial hub within the northeast sub-region, the governor said: “With the commencement of oil exploration in Kolmani, the industrial transformation of Gombe State through the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, and our investment drive across many areas; there is the need for the university to introduce new programs in order to meet the skill requirements in those emerging sectors” he said.
He however emphasized that his administration is fully aware of the challenges being faced by the University, particularly in terms of funding as it seeks to expand its current infrastructure to accommodate the growing demands for higher education and the introduction of new programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Governor Inuwa, who is also the visitor to the university, assured that his administration will continue to support the GSU into a reference point centre for learning and a source of pride to the people of Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
Speaking on the achievements of his administration in the education sector in the previous tenure, the Governor noted that 1,640 classrooms across 350 primary and secondary schools across the state were constructed/ renovated to provide quality education and enhance enrollment of students.
He said the state government under his leadership has equally upgraded 5 secondary schools into mega schools standard with a provision to accommodate 5,000 students each, bringing it to a total of 25,000 combined.
“We equally employed 1000 teachers among other projects. As a result of that development, Gombe State witnessed rapid increase in the percentage of candidates in our public schools who pass the West Africa School Certificate Examination with five credits and above including Maths and English from 28 percent in 2019 to 73 and 78 percent in 2021 and 2022″
As we continue to place premium on higher education, many institutions of higher learning are increasing tuition fees thus putting higher education beyond the reach of the common man. I will like to assure you that we are going to ensure that Gombe State University tuition fees remain within the affordable limit” , he said.
The Governor however stressed that Government alone cannot continuously provide the financial needs of institutions of higher learning hence it has become imperative for the University to develop innovative ways to attract funding through building partnership in order to improve revenue so as to meet its obligation.
He commended the University’s Chancellor, pro chancellor, and members of the governing council for their valuable inputs in directing the affairs of the University.
The Governor noted that the convocation ceremony was made possible by their dedication and commitment to knowledge and scholarship, expressing the hope that the graduating students will go on to become good Ambassadors of the University.
While congratulating the graduates, the governor urged them to use the knowledge they acquired to contribute meaningfully to the society and the University in order to foster an environment where education thrives and excellent celebrate.
He further noted that the convocation ceremony marks years of determination, perseverance on the part of the graduates and also provides the state with the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the award of honorary doctorate degrees to accomplish individuals who have made indelible marks in the society.
“Let me also congratulate recipients of the honourary degree awards who have examplified excellence and dedication in their respective discipline. The honourary doctorate degrees confered on them today symbolize not just the personal achievements but also the collective acknowledgements of their contributions to the progress of our communities and Nigeria at large” he said.
He expressed hope that the recipients of the honourary doctorate degrees will continue to live by example so as to inspire the future generation.
Earlier in his address, the Chancellor of the University, His Highness, the Emir of Gombe and Chairman of the Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Alh. (Dr) Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, CFR described education as the biggest and the most important investment in the world and critical to societal development as “no nation or society would achieve meaningful progress and development without quality and relevant education”, he said.
The chancellor urged the well-to-do individuals to channel their wealth in the education sector for the general upliftment of society, calling on communities across the state live in peace and harmony.
Also in his address, the Pro- Chancellor of the University, Senator Joshua Lidani (Baraden Kaltungo) congratulated the graduands who were conferred with various degrees, calling on them to live exemplary lives and contribute towards the development of their state and entire nation.
He commended the efforts of Governor Inuwa Yahaya in supporting the growth and development of the Gombe State University through various interventions.
In a related development, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya hosted the recipients of the Honorary doctorate degrees and the first appointed Emiratus Professor, Idris Mohammed, to a special reception in their honor at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House, Gombe.
During the reception programme, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Gida Mustapha, and the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TETfund, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Imam, expressed their gratitude to the governor, the management of the university, and the senate, for the recognition, pledging their resolve to further support the university’s advancement and contribute to the overall progress of Gombe State.