JONATHAN URGES GRADUATES TO EMULATE SARDAUNA

• Goodluck
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the graduates of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to emulate the lifestyle of the founding father of the university, the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, and the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Speaking yesterday through the Minister of Education, Professor Rukkayat Ahmed Rufai at the convocation ceremony of the institution, Jonathan noted that the late leader achieved many things at a younger age for the good of the society.

The President, therefore, called on the graduates as well as all Nigerians to imbibe Ahmadu Bello's virtues in order to move the country to a greater height.

He also restated his administration determination to put in place structures to assist budding entrepreneurs to realize their ambition.

'Sir Ahmadu Bello is a man whose outstanding life is worthy of emulation. The late Sir Ahmadu Bello lived a life characterized by selflessness, religious tolerance and accommodation as well as honesty and hard work.'

'We are here today to observe and celebrate your transformation from students to graduates having successfully completed your programmes of study. As you are being released to the world, you are being entrusted with some level of responsibility not only to manifest, but also to demonstrate the great tradition that has produced you. You have become ambassadors of Ahmadu Bello University.

'I urge you all not to rest on your oars in your quest to excel in your chosen profession in order to contribute your quota to the development of our nation. As you start your match in life, we encourage you not to forget Ahmadu Bello University, the place that nurtured you to become what you are now and what you will become tomorrow.'

'As we grapple with building an economy that can meet the employment challenges of our youths, it is also building institutions such as ABU to create solution to the yearning of the youths, so that we do not lose them to those who will use them for negative purposes. We are ready to listen to your finding and present them.' 'We understand too well the challenges faced by our universities, particularly ABU because of its long history and size. We will provide the resources to address these challenges in due course.

But I must also warn that the Federal Government is incapable of meeting all your funding desire and therefore, universities should explore the possibility of partnering with the private sector to close the gap in their development needs. You need to source for other means of funding without placing undue burden on students and parents. The ABU for instance has lots of expertise in several areas and by working closely with private organizations; it can turn them into revenue generation sources for the university.