By Mercy Nwuko
University of Jos has made significant contributions in the area of governance and political leadership by producing governors and deputies, senators and representatives, secretaries to federal and state governments, national public offices, great academics and administrators. The institution has also recorded successes in the area of researches and collaborations with foreign partners.
These were the words of Professor Chinedu Nebo, guest lecturer of the Founders’ Day lecture organized to mark 40 years of the establishment of the institution.
Speaking further in his lecture titled: 100 years of Nigeria: The place education and the contribution/role of University of Jos at 40, the former Minister of Power indicated that at the undergraduate level, the university admits only the best students and has always been among the top ranking universities.
“Unambiguously, the ecumenical nature of the university is seen from the composition of the staff and students. The staff and student population have been drawn from every ethnic group and from every corner of the country so that any ethnic group that is not represented must be very small”. Prof Nebo eulogized.
According to him, education is the bedrock of development and is the most important instrument for the transformation of an individual and the country at large.
The occasion had in attendance dignitaries who are alumni of the university and many top government officials who include, Deputy Governor of Plateau State and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Sonni Tyoden, Former Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, SSG to Nassarawa State, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, ThisDay Newspaper publisher, Mr. Chris Nduka Obiagbena, Barr. Ngozi Ekeoma, CEO, Nepal Oil and Gas, Canon Selchang Miner, and Justice Yargata Nimpar.
Others include former Principal Officers, Registrars, Vice Chancellors and Pro Chancellors of the university were also present.
The celebration also witnessed the presentation of honorary awards to past Vice Chancellors of the university, Librarians, Bursars and other principal officers that have served the university in the past.
Plateau State government pledged to support the institution with the sum of 5 million naira. Other dignitaries who made monetary contributions included the SSG of Nassarawa State, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed who spoke on behalf of Nassarawa state pledging to support the university with the sum of 2million naira. Andoma of Doma, one time SUG President of the university supported the university with N500, 000.
The peak of the event was cutting of the 40th anniversary cake and that of the Deputy Governor of the state who celebrated his 65th birthday.
