The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has promised to build the Aliko Dangote Sugar Research centre at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK)
This was disclosed by the out-going Chief of Staff to President Muhammdu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the 7th Convocation ceremony of the University on Saturday.
Gambari was conferred with a honorary doctorate degree by the university.
“I have good news, haven spoken with Alhaji Aliko Dangote he has now agreed to build the Aliko Dangote Sugar Research centre here at NSUK,” Gambari said.
The foremost Philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, and an international expert, and director of the Institute of Criminalist and Criminology, Warsaw Management University, Prof. Brunon Holyst, 93, were also conferred with the prestigious degree
Speaking as Chairman of the Convocation lecture on Friday, Dangote promised to look at the demands of the university in its quest to shape the trajectory of human progress and the future of society
The Convocation lecturer, Prof. Brunon Holyst said the responsibility of universities goes beyond impacting knowledge, developing new ideas and fostering innovation and creativity, and hinted on how universities can contribute to tackling issues of crime and criminality within the society
According to Dangote, universities have pivotal role to play in driving positive change through effective partnerships and collaboration, with critical stakeholders in line with NUC’s concept of the Triple Helix in Nigeria
Represented by the GED, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, the exceptional philanthropist, said the ADF would prioritize the demands to foster critical thinking, exploration of new ideas, reaserch/analysis, internet connectivity and more in order to push the frontiers of knowledge.
The Convocation lecture of Nasarawa state University Keffi was chaired by the GED Engr. Mansur Ahmed who represented the Group President/CE, Aliko Dangote at the event
ADF has over the years injected Billions of Naira into the education sector and continues to extend considerable support to various universities to assist Government find solutions to magnitude of problems bedeviling the sector, and society in general
Aliko observed that society is confronted by challenges arising from population growth, accelerating urbanization, worsening environmental degradation, and unstoppable technological-induced change and called on universities to strive towards finding solutions to the problems.
For ADF, “it is currently considering the establishment of a University of Technology which will focus on the provision of new technological skills in key areas like Engineering, Agriculture, Medical and Digital Sciences in the Country
ADF has supported various universities, tertiary institutions and secondary schools for years-the N1.2 billion hostel donated to ABU Zaria, multi-million Naira UniBadan Business School, N1.2Bn BUK Business School and the construction of N500 million dormitories and power supply facilities, award of scholarship to thousands of secondary school students, training and skills acquisitions.