February 15, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has urged Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State to intervene in the land dispute between Bayero University, Kano (BUK) and neighbouring communities, towards resolving the matter.
The President made the call on Saturday, at the 39th convocation ceremony of the university.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed, called on the Governor to intervene by issuing the university the title deed it deserves.
He said the government is aware of the challenge of the lack of perimeter fencing faced by the University and had made some funds available to construct a fence around the institution.
The President also called on universities in the country to leverage on research conducted in order to develop alternative sources of power in the face of increasing electricity tariffs.
“The government is aware of the difficulties universities are facing in terms of increasing electricity tariffs, which culminate in huge bills. We are making significant efforts to make sure that the condition stabilises so that our universities can function optimally.
“However, while we are making these conscious efforts, I will like to implore our universities to leverage on the research conducted in order to come up with little solutions in terms of alternative power supply”, he said.
The President also directed University Governing Councils and the Senates to restore the lost academic culture of the universities in order to ensure universities produce quality graduates who can measure up with global standards.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sagir Abbas, lamented the high cost of electricity, which he said is gulping one quarter of revenue generated by the institution and appealed to the government to reduce electricity tariffs for educational institutions.
Sagir also appealed to the government to increase financial support for research and innovations to the institution, noting that investing in innovations is investing in the growth and development of the nation.
He appealed to the Kano State government to expedite action towards the issuance of C-of-O to the institution to put an end to the land dispute and encroachment by unauthorised persons.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
