ATBU VC’s Tenure ends, calls for inclusion of Academic Staff in Drug ‘toxicology’ test.
Professor Muhammad Ahmad Abdul’azeez, Former Vice Chancellor ATBU Bauchi
By Abubakar Baba Ahmad.
The Outgoing Vice Chancellor Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU Bauchi Professor Muhammad Ahmad Abdul’azeez has called for the extension of drug test to Academic staff to ensure transparency in the process.
Professor Muhammad Abdul’azeez made the call at a Special Senate Valedictory session and handing over after the expiration of his five years tenure as Vice Chancellor of the institution held at Senate Council Chamber, Gubi Campus.
Abdul’azeez said higher institutions are not meant to impart formal education alone but to also mould the character of individuals, hence the need for both staff and students to undergo the drug test for transparency, fairness and integrity in the system.
He used the medium to appreciate Bauchi State government, Traditional Leaders, the university council and community and all stakeholders for the support rendered throughout his five years tenure, and called for same to his successor to enable him build on the successes recorded.
“I will like to thank the Bauchi state government for its leadership role and support to our University; the Bauchi State Council of Traditional Rulers for its fatherly rile, support and encouragement; the parents and guardians of our dear students; the University Alumni Association; the various print, electronic and internet based media and all other professional Unions and associations we have directly or indirectly interacted with in the last five years”, Abdul’azeez appreciates.
The Outgoing Vice Chancellor listed some of the interventions and achievements recorded during his sojourn to include numerous TETFund constructions projects and winning of research grants, NCC and NITDA interventions and the ongoing construction of 1 million cubic litres water facility at Gubi campus.
“The modest achievements we have recorded in the areas of infrastructural development, academic content development and community services could not have been possible without the support if all stakeholders in the system. In this regard, I will like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the Federal Government if Nigeria for the support rendered to the University through the Federal Ministry of Education and its various agencies such as the National Universities Commission and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, without whose support in the last five years, we could not have achieved anything”, He reiterates.
In the area of healthcare, Abdul’azeez noted that a lot has been achieved to include establishment of Molecular Genetics and Infectious Diseases MOGID Research laboratory, Urology laboratory, construction of veterinary medicine complex as well as the ongoing training of Doctors for the commencement of kidney transplant at its teaching hospital.
In his acceptance Speech, the Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Sani Usman Kunya expressed gratitude to Allah, the Senate of the university and the federal government for the honour and promised to ensure good administrative practices and better teaching method in order to fit into the modern academic pursuit of Artificial intelligence.
“We are living in a fast evolving society where Competition is heightened. We cannot afford to lag behind, especially now. The fast development in Artificial Intelligence is about to dominate the global sphere. Universities are the bedrock of these changes. We must strive to keep in pace with this modern trend in order to survive our acquired excellence. With your much needed support, we shall all succeed “, Professor Kunya notes
Elders in the council, Professor Jacob Jatau from Engineering, former VC Professor Saminu Ibrahim and Professor Victor Voncir of Soil Science who urged the acting Vice Chancellor to always work inline with the decision of the Senate, stressed the need for the management to run the affairs of the institution free of premordial sentiments.
The five year tenure of the Outgoing Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Ahmad Abdul’azeez which started on the 27 of April, 2019 ends on Saturday 27 April 2024.
