**Charges varsities to engage in cutting-edge researches for development

President Bola Tinubu has promised to continue to give support to Nigerian Universities for them to be able to achieve the noble roles for which they were established, especially in uplifting the socio-economic life of the country.
Tinubu who acknowledged that universities are bastions of knowledge acquisition, scientific and technological discoveries said they have the mandate to mold character and train the necessary human capital to drive the various development initiatives of government.
Speaking on Saturday in Dutse at the 6th and 7th combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Dutse he promised that his
administration will be alive to its responsibility towards the education sector.
Tinubu who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabiru Bala said,

“We shall continue to give the necessary support to enable our universities achieve the objectives for which they were established, in line with our Renewed Hope Agenda. 

He indicated that removal of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) Platform, increased allocations to the education sector in its appropriation for the year 2024, are pointers to his commitment to ensuring that Universities are strengthened and reinvigorated for the fulfilment of their mandates.
He indicated that universities in turn are expected to always strive to measure up to the required standard to justify the monumental investments in them. 
“I urge our citadels of learning to undertake cutting edge research that is responsive to the changing demands of our modern day world, thereby encouraging impactful education that will bring about sustainable development.
“Our universities should define their roles and carve out a niche for themselves by designing programmes that will assist government in poverty reduction, creating employment opportunities and health promotion application for new technologies in the advancement of knowledge and equality.
Other areas are in protecting the environment, promoting sustainable human development, as well as sustaining democracy and good governance without missing out on the quest towards the attainment of the renewed hope agenda of his administration. 

He charged FUD to provide the leadership needed in research to produce improved varieties of crops, as well as give scientific and extension support to farmers, to enhance their productivity and economic viability since Jigawa State is known for its production of grains and exportable crops such as wheat, rice, sesame, dates, Roselle calyx (zobo) and orchards. .

“Let me emphasize that the task of building our nation, including education is Herculean, and requires commitment and collaboration from all. 
“We must all come together in a spirit of renewed hope to promote this country to its deserving place. I therefore solicit your cooperation and patriotism. 
“The funding of universities cannot be undertaken by government alone, especially at a time when the country is facing economic challenges, with other competing demands from various other sectors.
“However, this administration will always provide the enabling environment within the limit of available resources for Universities to operate, as the flagship of our educational endeavour and the bedrock of our national development. “I also urge all universities find ways of attracting funds for research from across the world and consider more viable options of resource mobilization to improve their IGR. 
He used the ocasion to also re-assure all Nigerians that the fight against insecurity will be won soon
“This administration is fully committed to defeating all acts of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. However, this cannot be achieved without the support and cooperation of all Nigerians.
“Security is a collective responsibility and requires all hands to be on deck. I therefore appeal to all Nigerians to join hands with the government by giving useful information to security agents on suspicious persons, miscreants and their activities. 
“Governing Councils will soon be constituted and inaugurated for tertiary institutions. 
“With the calibre of persons to be appointed into the Councils, it is expected that they will provide new momentum to the governance and administration of our Universities to sustain the overall educational landscape of the country.
“Permit me to congratulate and specially welcome the Chancellor of this institution, His Royal Majesty, King W.S. Joshua, Igbugburu X CON, (JP), the Ebenanawei of Bomo Kingdom and the Pioneer Chairman of Bayelsa State Traditional Council, whose investiture as Chancellor took place earlier this morning.
“It is our hope that your unrelenting fatherly role and wise counsel will no doubt contribute immensely to the progress of this promising institution.”

He also congratulated Federal University Dutse, the graduands, their parents and guardians, as well as the host community on their achievements.

The institution conferred bachelor degree on 2,172 graduands of various disciplines during the 6th and 7th combined convocation.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdulkarim Sabo Muhammad, indicated that the 5th convocation ceremony took place in 2020 before the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
After that, “we had a prolonged ASUU strike which distorted the university calendar and made it difficult to organize the subsequent convocation ceremony”.

Prof. Abdulkarim Sabo explained that 1058 graduates were for the 2019/2020 academic session with 38 first class, 321 second class upper division, 564 second class lower division and 135 with third class lower.

The Vice Chancellor explained further that for the 2020/2021 academic season, a total of 1, 814 were awarded with bachelor’s degree out of which 36 were first class, 515 second class upper division, 946 second class lower division and 317 third class lower.
“We also have two (2) Ph.D, forty-seven (47) M.Sc, three hundred and seventy-six (376) Masters and one hundred and eighty-nine (189) Postgraduate Diploma graduates”.
The school also inaugurated its 2nd Chancellor of the University, His Majesty, King W.S. Joshua, Igbugburu X, (CON), JP, the Ebenanawei of Bomo Kingdom and the Pioneer Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Council.