Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a historic and deeply symbolic decision to immortalise the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua through the renaming of a federal academic institution in Kaduna.
The President approved the re-designation of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, which will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology—a move the senator said restores national focus on a legacy built on sacrifice, patriotism, and democratic commitment.
In a strongly worded statement on Friday, Senator Yar’Adua said the gesture goes far beyond ceremonial recognition, insisting it represents a deliberate national affirmation of a leader whose life shaped both Nigeria’s military history and its democratic transition.
He said the late General Shehu Yar’Adua stood as a symbol of disciplined service and nation-first leadership, consistently advocating a Nigeria where competence, unity, and justice outweighed ethnic or political division.
“By attaching his name to this institution, Nigeria has ensured that future generations will not only remember him, but will be challenged by the ideals he lived for—sacrifice, vision, and nation-building,” the senator said.
He further noted that the institution now carries a heightened responsibility to evolve into a leading centre for energy-focused research and technological innovation, while also serving as a training ground for integrity-driven professionals in the geological and engineering sciences.
Senator Yar’Adua expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Federal Government, describing the decision as a “lasting national acknowledgment” of a figure whose influence extended beyond the military into the foundation of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
Speaking on behalf of the Yar’Adua family and constituents in Katsina Central, he said the honour would continue to inspire young Nigerians toward selfless service and national responsibility.
He also expressed optimism that the newly named university would emerge as a continental hub for excellence in energy education and applied sciences, while preserving the ideals the late General represented.
The senator concluded by praying for national unity and sustained progress, describing the renaming as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s ongoing effort to preserve the memory of those who shaped its destiny.
President Bola Tinubu
