By Ngozi Nwankwo
As University of Abuja clocks 35years of existence, the Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof Abdul- Rasheed Na’ Allah has reassured the management’s determination to make it number one university in Africa and one of the finest in the world before it reaches the golden age.
Though the University is over thirty, its aspirations are matured, and its hopes stronger said Na’Allah.
In his message to mark the University at 35, the Vice Chancellor said, ” Since 1988 when it was established, it has been witnessing a steady rise and growth. We have had our ups and downs, teething problems, like any child passing through the phase of development, but we have never at any time succumbed.
“Though the University is over thirty, its aspirations are matured, and its hopes stronger – that we can be greater than any University, moving forward; after all, the UofA has a destiny, the destiny of location at the same seat of the nation’s President and National Assembly! No Jupiter can stop the progression of the University of Abuja to a world class status! It is its destiny!
“Perhaps more than any time in its history,
the desire for the University to rise is collective. This mindset especially among members of the management, students, staff and the entire university community became even more visible after it clocked thirty years.
“We have realised that more than ever before we can do it, we can lead, and we can change the world. With great things happening in our University today, with our staff engaged in cutting-edge research, attracting about N1 Billion in research grants to the University in 2022 alone, several programmes coming on stream and a swirl of physical infrastructure on campus, including staff and student services, Counseling and Career Services Centre, International Centre, Student Employment and Mentoring Scheme, Indoor Sports Hall, Staff Social Centre, Staff Quarters at the Main Campus, new Student Hostels, and with the new Senate Building and new International Conference Centre underway, the University is set for greater heights!”
The Vice Chancellor said making Abuja University one of the finest required collective effort, hardworking and improved research.
He said, ” But we are not going to achieve that feat by merely hoping, we are going to be working harder than ever before, strengthening our research base, allowing for Performance Standards at all levels of academic cadre including evaluation of full professors every three years with an annual celebration of successful Full Professors as role models on campus, perfecting our character, retraining our staff for the Global ranking, and satisfying our students yearning for global citizenship!
” It is not a mere coincidence that we celebrate our new age on the first day of every new year. The symbolism is not lost on us that we have to make a new resolution or Strengthening our resolve: to never relent but continue to work harder until we become the real number one.”
Na’ Allah said the Management of the University of Abuja appreciated the support the institution has enjoyed from staff, students and their parents and guardians, all branches of the alumni association, government institutions, all through these last years.
“We particularly appreciate the goodwill that the University has enjoyed from the Federal Government, the National Universities Commission (NUC),TETFund, JAMB, professional bodies and partner institutions – locally and internationally- and community leaders from Abuja’s indigenous communities and across Nigeria.
“We shall continue to work together to lead this University to greater heights and to achieving this University’s destiny in due course,” he said.
