14th Convocation of Umaru Musa Yar'Adua University, Katsina

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahamatullah wa barakatuhu

It gives me immense pleasure and a deep sense of honour to stand before you today on this historic occasion of the 14th Convocation Ceremony of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University. This university remains our pride as Katsina State’s only state-owned university and a true centre of learning, character formation, and service to humanity.

Convocation ceremonies such as this are always moments of joy and reflection. They offer us the opportunity to celebrate success, appreciate sacrifice, and renew our collective commitment to excellence. Today, we celebrate the perseverance and achievements of our graduating students, the unwavering support of their parents and guardians, and the dedication of the management, staff, and governing bodies of this great institution.

As Visitor to the University, I wish to reaffirm the commitment of the Katsina State Government to education as a critical pillar for sustainable development. In line with this commitment, my administration has released funds to support accreditation exercises for several academic programmes in the University. This was done deliberately to ensure that the courses offered here meet required national and international standards, and that graduates of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University remain globally competitive.

Alhamdulillah, we have also implemented salary increments for the university staff. This is our way of appreciating the enormous contributions of both academic and non-academic staff, whose dedication sustains the intellectual life of this institution. We will continue to prioritise staff welfare and create an enabling environment where teaching, learning, and research can thrive.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me at this point to formally acknowledge the appointment of Honourable Hadi Sirika as the 4th Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of this University. I am confident that his wealth of experience, leadership capacity, and commitment to public service will greatly enhance the growth and development of this institution. I wish him and the entire Council a fruitful and successful tenure.

I must also take a moment to sincerely commend the immediate past Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari, for his exceptional service and leadership. Despite his additional responsibility as Secretary to the Government of Katsina State, he served this University with remarkable dedication, integrity, and competence. His contributions to the stability and progress of the University will not be forgotten.

Let me also express my profound gratitude to the Governing Council, Senate, and Management of this University for finding me, alongside other distinguished Nigerians, worthy of the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees. I am deeply humbled by this honour, which I share with the Former Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nigeria, His Excellency Ali bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, Ambassador Ahmad Rufa’i, former DG NIA, and our revered leader, Father and elder statesman, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, of blessed memory. We accept this honour with humility and see it as a renewed call to service to education, Katsina State, and our dear country.

To our graduands, today marks the reward of years of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. I congratulate every one of you. You leave this University not only with degrees, but with the responsibility to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and serve society selflessly.

As you move into the next chapter of your lives, I urge you to be worthy ambassadors of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University and Katsina State. Wherever you find yourselves, let your conduct, competence, and contributions reflect the values instilled in you here. Use your knowledge to solve problems, uplift communities, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

In closing, I commend the Vice-Chancellor, Senate, management, staff, parents, and guardians for their tireless efforts in nurturing and sustaining this institution. Together, we will continue to build a university that stands for excellence, discipline, and service.

Once again, I congratulate the graduands, I wish you a future filled with success and impact.

Thank you very much.

God bless Umaru Musa Yar’adua University.

God bless Katsina State.

And God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.