Bayelsa: Why We Appointed Shehu Borno Own Varsity Chancellor Tasks North on bridge-building

Bayelsa State government has said it appointed Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi chancellor of Niger Delta University to teach Nigerians lessons on unity

 
The government advised sections of the country fanning the embers of ethnic and religious disunity to do things that would foster unity.

 
The state government made the disclosure at the presentation of the Shehu's letter of appointment today

In Abuja.
 
State governor Seriake Dickson said his administration settled for the Shehu after considering his impressive academic, moral and political profiles.

 
Represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmund Oguru, Dickson recalled the pre-independence political alliance between his South-south region and the north.

 
The governor observed that it was only natural for both regions to continue their symbiotic political relationship.

 
The governor regretted that but for the security situation in the north-east, the ceremony would have held in the comfort of the Shehu's palace.

 
Dickson tasked political and religious leaders in the north on the need to address the security problems in the zone.

 
The Shehu thanked the governor “for the honour”, describing the Niger Delta University as “the university of our future.”

 
he described the appointment as a “responsibility…based on trust,” and expressed optimism that the people of “Bayelsa State and students shall extend their hand of friendship so we can all collectively achieve our vision.”

 
Also speaking, a former Director-General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof. Muhammed Nur Alkali noted that universities were passing through very difficult times.

 
He expressed optimism that the ongoing reforms in education would help universities play bigger roles in nation building.

 
'Our universities must play greater role in building bridges. This is a major role we all have to pursue. It is important we stand in solidarity for the success of the university system,” said Alkali.

 
Present at the occasion were prominent sons of Borno, including minister-designate Hon. Mohammed Wakil, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Muhammed Kumalia, among others.