By Livinus Ayih, Linus Ngantem, Kehinde Mefolere & Esther Mark
The governing council and management of the University of Jos have been commended for their hard work that culminated into the global ranking of the university as the second best in Nigeria and 42nd in Africa.
President Goodluck Jonathan stated this in a message to the 24th Convocation of the institution noting that this feat was achieved despite the security and other challenges.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Nicolas Damaji he urged the management to continue to pursue the uplifting and projecting of the university on the global intellectual map.
The president, who is also the visitor to the university, commended the level of work going on at the permanent site of the university especially the construction of Senate/Administrative Building and the new Faculty of Environmental Sciences.
He said the administration in an effort to uplift tertiary education in the country, approved the establishment of nine new federal universities covering the different geo-political zones of the country.
He said this was towards meeting the United Nations Policy on Education for All by the Year 2015 adding that the Federal Government also allocated the largest amount so far to education in the 2011 budget.
He, however, called on educational institutions to pay attention to moral conducts of students by providing all-round education to youths to awaken the concept of communal responsibility, respect for human life and peaceful co-existence.
Dr. Jonathan renewed government resolved to get to the root of the recurring violence in Jos and assured the University community of security of lives and property.
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Chairman of Zinox Technologies Ltd. Mr. Leo-Stan Ekeh were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees at the convocation which was attended by dignitaries from various works of life including Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Governor Gabriel Suswam who bagged a PhD degree in Law.
