HRM, Alhaji Aminu Bayero, the Emir of Kano has been installed as the 6th Chancellor of the University of Calabar, coming after his selection by the Buhari-led administration of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Alhaji Bayero was installed during the 35th Convocation ceremony of the University held at the University’s International Conference Center on Thursday in Calabar.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, who conducted the ceremony, addressed him as a “gentleman full of humility and honourâ€.
The statement reads; “I, Prof. Obi, VC of UNICAL, do hereby formally install our worthy and well-beloved Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano, as the 6th Chancellor of the University of Calabar. I humbly pledge to you the loyalty and support of the entire university.
“With your installation as Chancellor, you are now to preside over the 35th and subsequent convocation ceremonies in accordance with section 4 (1) of the University of Calabar Act 1979,†she said.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, presented the instrument of Office to the 6th Chancellor.
He said, “I, President Muhammadu Buhari, hereby in accordance with the powers conferred on me as the visitor to the university, re-affirm the Emir of Kano as the 6th Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
â€I heartily congratulate you on your appointment as 6th Chancellor of the University of Calabar. I trust that you, as Chancellor, will faithfully and diligently carry out the duties of your office in the University of Calabar,â€
Addressing the people after his installation, the Emir said his heart was full of joy to witness the ceremony, thereby thanking Buhari for the selection.
He promised his readiness to work with the management of the university in achieving the desired growth and development.
“With my new gab, I will engage the Federal Government and relevant agencies to look into the accommodation problem of staff and students of the great institution considering the growing population and complexities of a 21st-century modern university such as ours.
“We will explore the possibility of erecting a befitting senate building for the university.
â€Given the parameters, indices, and matrix survival in contemporary Nigeria, we shall be duty-bound to study the welfare scheme of staff in other universities in relation to the take-home pay of our staff.
“Once more, I thank the University of Calabar for the honour done to me today. Let us join hands with the current action-oriented Vice Chancellor to reach the promised land,†the Emir said.
Speaking further, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said that the Emir has all the qualities of a leader.
Ganduje said that the Emir, who grew from a humble royal background, has continued to foster peace and unity in the Kano emirate.
“With this installation, we are sure that the University of Calabar will go higher and higher because the Emir is a “round peg in a round holeâ€.
The event was well attended by some principal officers of the university like; the Pro-Chancellor, retired Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai, and the Cross River Deputy Governor-elect, Mr. Peter Odey.
Others include Mr. Hilary Bisong, Deputy Majority Leader of the Cross River House of Assembly, the Chief Whip of the Assembly, Mr. Okon Ephraim, traditional rulers, as well as staff and students of the university.