The Vice-Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, Professor Babagana Gutti, has expressed willingness of the institution to establishing a strong partnership with university owned by the Kebbi State Government to promote academic excellence, research, innovation and educational development for the benefit of both Borno and Kebbi States.
He stated this on Thursday when the Kebbi State Governor’s Media Aides, led by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK, paid an advocacy visit to the University.
The Vice-Chancellor said the proposed partnership would further strengthen the existing relationship between the Borno and Kebbi State Governments, particularly in the education sector.
He explained that the collaboration could take the form of academic, administrative and professional exchanges, joint research initiatives, knowledge sharing, capacity building and other programmes capable of advancing the quality of education in both states.
Prof. Gutti also disclosed that the management of Kashim Ibrahim University would initiate a visit to the Abdullahi Fodio University Aliero in Kebbi State to explore further opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and research partnerships.
Expressing delight over the visit, the Vice-Chancellor recalled the participation of the Kebbi State delegation at the university’s convocation ceremony held last year, describing the occasion as memorable, unique and successful.
Prof. Gutti commended the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for his sustained commitment to the development of the education sector, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare, among other areas.
He particularly highlighted the Governor’s investment in the Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital, describing the project as a major intervention with significant potential to strengthen medical education, healthcare delivery and clinical training in the state.
According to him, partnerships between Kebbi State-owned universities and institutions in Borno State would create valuable opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, expertise, research, academic programmes and best administrative practices, while promoting innovation and sustainable development.
Earlier, the Commissioner said the purpose of the visit was to explore areas of collaboration between the Kebbi and Borno State Governments, particularly in the education sector.
He highlighted some of the achievements of the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, in the education sector, noting that the administration had empowered and upgraded schools across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Commissioner noted that the Governor had supported various tertiary institutions, including Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero; the School of Nursing Sciences, Birnin Kebbi; Kauran Gwandu School of Nursing; and the School of Health and Technology, Jega, among others.
Ahmed BK further disclosed that the Kebbi State Government had approved a new salary structure, procured buses and facilitated training programmes for lecturers, among other interventions aimed at improving the welfare of staff and the quality of education across the state’s tertiary institutions.
He expressed optimism that the proposed partnership would strengthen collaboration, promote knowledge sharing and create opportunities for mutual development between institutions in Kebbi and Borno States.
“I am impressed with what we have seen, and by the grace of God, we will convey the outcome of this visit to the Governor to ensure the implementation of the proposed areas of collaboration,” the Commissioner said.
The Kebbi State Governor’s media aides on the visit included the Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Abdullahi Idris Zuru; the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmad Idris; the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation, Ibrahim A Jombali; the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki; and the Special Adviser on New Media, Aliyu Bandado Argungu.
