UniAbuja can serve as catalyst for Nigeria’s development — VC

The out-going Vice-Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah says the repositioned institution can serve as catalyst for Nigeria’s greatness and development.

Na’Allah told NEWSVERGE in Abuja at the sidelines of an award ceremony organised by the University’s Sustainable Development Centre (SDC) in honour of him as the “Best Performed” Vice Chancellor of the institution.

The VC who is set to bow out from office in a few days, after five years of impactful tenure said that the institution has been transformed in line with international best practices, to address some of the nation’s problems.

He said the introduction of strategic courses/centres such as the SDC, leadership Centre, Security Centre, aeronautical engineering, nuclear engineering among others has positioned the university as a catalyst to fast track the nation’s development.

“The Sustainable Development Centre (SDC) is one of our great centres established to respond to the need of our world.

“Sustainable development is at the centre of the strategy of the UN to save our world from calamity, so at University of Abuja we have put together this centre as a solution centre for Nigeria and the world.

“This is a centre that was established to look for solutions in every area of the SDG goals, so our PhD and masters students focus on finding solutions to our world,” he said.

Na’Allah thanked the Centre and the out-going PhD students for honouring him, while charging them to continue to contribute to the development of the country, with the knowledge gained from the institution.

Earlier, Sen. Gbenga Daniel, Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, who was the special guest of honor, said he was delighted to be associated with the transformative leadership of Na’Allah at the institution.

He stressed the need to always celebrate excellence, adding that that the SDC could go a long way in preferring solutions to the nation’s current challenges.

Prof. Sule Magaji, Director, SDC in his remarks said the centre was out to champion holistic sustainable development and inspire students for a better tomorrow.

Magaji emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck to achieve the SDG goals and evolve a better society.

Also speaking, Brig- Gen. Adewale Adekoya, Acting Director of the Nigeria Army Heritage and Future Centre expressed optimism that the SDC will give the necessary push in Nigeria achieving the SDGs.

Adekoya who is an out-going PhD student of the SDC, said the Centre thrives on impacting applicable contemporary studies that will help achieve the SDGs and develop the nation.

NEWSVERGE reports that high point of the event was the presentation of ‘sustainable awards’ to various recipients.