Musa Na Allah Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has inaugurated an advisory committee on the upgrade of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) to a university status while still retaining the name of the late President Shehu Shagari.
While Inaugurating the committee at Government House, Governor Tambuwal said his policy pronouncement during the 22nd convocation and golden jubilee of the college and it’s subsequent approval by the state executive council meeting of 31st December 2020, informed the committees constitution.
The committee is billed to submit its report in two months and it’s mandated to, develop a well articulated philosophy, mission and vision; and set objectives of establishing the university,
The committee was also expected to determine the current assets of the institution and conduct its present needs assessment in terms of manpower, infrastructure, land and instructional materials, develop a master plan for infrastructure and its development program in accordance with the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Also, the committee guidelines is to prepare an academic brief of the proposed university as well as to liaise with the NUC with a view to assisting the state government in securing approval for the establishment of the university.
The committee will also facilitate issuance of certificate of incorporation and amendment of the college’s law to that of a university and to advise on any other relevant issue that will assist the government in the smooth take-off of the proposed University of Education.
The Governor maintained that staff of the college willing to remain in the university and those who wish to transfer their services to other establishments in the state shall so be identified.
In a press statement made available to newsmen by the special Adviser on media and publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, the committee is headed by Professor Muhammad Zayyan Umar.
Other members the release stated are Professors A. A. Bagudo, Abubakar Umar Dikko, Malami Umar Tambuwal, Nasiru Gatawa, Mansur Ibrahim and Dr Mansur Isa Buhari.
Also, in the committee are, Malam Abubakar Usman, Malam Muhammad Kakale Jabo, Rilwan Muhammad, Malam Sani Sahabi Bodinga, Professor Aminu Abubakar, Dr. Muhammad Wadata Hakimi and the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry for Higher Education.
The committee further has Dr Amamatu Yusuf, Dr Nasiru Daniya, the representatives of the Sultanate Council, the state Ministry of Justice and the Sokoto State House of Assembly (SOHA) committee on Higher Education.
Malam Kabir Umar Imam will serve as the committee Secretary.
The Governor explained that members of the committee were selected based on their experiences and capacities to do the job, as most of them were in the academia either as lecturers, teachers or administrators of higher institutions.
The Governor urged members of the committee to justify the confidence reposed in their integrity and honour.
Governor Tambuwal however expressed hope that, their report would be implementable for the realization of the noble objective.
