From right: Gov Zulum, First Lady Oluremi, and Gov. Ozodinma, at the ceremony.
Gov. Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno has been awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree of Technology by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State.
A statement by Dauda Iliya, the Spokesperson to the Governor, said the conferment took place during the institution’s 36th Convocation ceremony on Saturday.
Also conferred with honourary degree is the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, and Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.
Zulum, a distinguished academic and professor of Irrigation Engineering, holds fellowships from several esteemed institutions and is a recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to education and public service.
Expressing his gratitude, Gov. Zulum acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the institution’s Visitor, for the honor bestowed on him.
“On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Borno State, I extend my sincere appreciation to the Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, and the management of this great university for conferring this degree on me,” Zulum said.
The governor commended President Tinubu’s establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), which is providing critical support to students in tertiary institutions.
He assured that state governors across the country would support the initiative to ensure its success.
“This fund is one of the most important initiatives established by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. I assure you that all 36 state governors will support its noble objectives,” Zulum emphasized.
He urged FUTO to introduce job-creating courses tailored to meet the demands of the modern economy, stressing the decline in traditional white-collar job opportunities.
“As an academic, I advise the university to offer courses that prepare graduates for entrepreneurship and self-employment,” he noted.
The governor also announced plans for a partnership between Borno State Government and the Government of Imo State to support FUTO in advancing teaching, learning and research.
He congratulated the graduating students, wishing them success in their future endeavours.
The governor was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan.
Others are the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Ali Dalori, Rep. Bukar Talba, Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, and APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba.
