Professor Attahiru Jega, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been appointed as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the governing council of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).
Governor Abdullahi Sule, who announced this, said Jega was selected with a view to enhance academic pursuit and further entrench an enduring culture of academic excellence in the institution.
A former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), as well as a one-time vice chancellor of the Bayero University Kano (BUK), Jega was inaugurated alongside other members of the governing council at a ceremony which held at the Government House, Lafia, the state capital.
Sule said since its establishment over two decades ago, the NSUK has recorded tremendous achievements in terms of scholarship, teaching and research, infrastructural development and worthwhile collaborations across borders.
He, however, posited that his administration appointed revered and astute personalities to serve on the governing council which would oversee the affairs of NSUK in order to consolidate on the gains recorded so far.
“Professor Jega has been a consummate academic and indeed, an astute university Don who held several positions including the leadership of ASUU, Vice Chancellor of the reputable BUK and later Chairman of INEC. His stewardship of these great institutions has endeared him to all patriotic Nigerians and indeed others outside of Nigeria.”
“I need to state that the Nasarawa State University Keffi requires the personality of Prof Jega, whose uncommon antecedents would impact on the needed academic prowess towards the realization of the vision and mission of establishing this institution.
“Without any iota of doubt, I need to state that the composition of the governing council will achieve the uplifting of the standard of education in the state and country at large.
“I therefore enjoin the council to settle down and contribute your quota in making the institution more robust professionally and academically sound, befitting the status of a 21st century university that is competitive and result oriented,” Governor Sule added.
He appreciated Professor Jega for accepting to serve as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the governing council of the NSUK.
Responding, on behalf of the appointees, Jega appreciated Governor Sule for finding him worthy of the appointment.
Professor Jega said he was motivated to accept the appointment because of the manifest passion Governor Sule has for public education, as well as the commendable work he is doing to bring development to Nasarawa State.
He assured that the new governing council under his watch, would work assiduously to achieve Governor Sule’s objective and aspirations to turn the NSUK into the best university in Nigeria.