FUGA VC, Prof Haruna, Turbaned As ‘Kaigama Of Akko’
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Lamido of Akko in Gombe State, HRH Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Atiku has turbaned, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gashua (FUGA), Yobe State, Professor Andrew Haruna, as the Kaigama of Akko for his love for humanity and service to people across ethnic and religious divide.
According to a press statement signed by FUGA’s Head of Information and Protocol,
Ignatius Usar, the turbanning ceremony which took place recently in the Palace of the Lamido of Akko in Kumo, Akko LGA, Gombe State, had in attendance prominent Nigerians who praised the monarch for honouring the Vice Chancellor. .
The newly turbaned ‘Kaigama of Akko’ was quoted to have told media representatives at the event that he was “excited and elated in the sense that this is a titled bestowed on me and if you ask me, I will say I don’t deserve it but His Royal Highness saw it fit that I should be given this title and honestly speaking, I lack the word to express my thanks to His Royal Highness and the entire Emirate Council of Akko.”
“Seeing the number of people who turned out for this occasion, not only from Gombe, Yobe or Bauchi States which are from the North East region but across the country, I never realised that I have friends across divides, ethnic or religious.”
“Today I have seen that I have many well-wishers and it has encouraged me more to work for Nigeria and for humanity. My responsibility now is to use my skills and training to do what will improve the quality of life, promote peace, bring prosperity and bring love for one another in the Emirate council and beyond.”
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the Federal University, Gashua, Dr. Muhammad Lawan Yahuza, said he had worked in several places but has never worked with anyone as humble and accommodating as Professor Haruna. He commended the Lamido of Akko for finding the Vice Chancellor worthy of the honour and assured him that, Professor Haruna will not fail in discharging the duties of the office of Kaigama.
Also speaking, the Director General National Population Commission, Dr. Ghaji Ismaila Bello who is from Kumo, said Professor Haruna “is a bridge builder between Christians and Muslims, Fulani and those who are not Fulani, between the educated and the non-educated and in many respects. This is a good thing because we all as Nigerians must remain one indivisible nation. He described Prof Haruna, his friend of over thirty years as a man who stands by the truth at all times.”
Reliving their days at the University of London several years ago, Dr. Gaji said the Vice Chancellor is an upright, humanitarian, educationist, a leader and an achiever who has distinguished himself in the service to humanity.
The traditional title of Kaigama in the history of Borno and other Emirate Council’s means the Chief of Army Staff, and the number one General responsible for the security of the Emir and the Emirate.”
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included royal fathers, the Emir of Wase, the representative of the Emir of Bauchi, the representative of the Mai Tangale, the Mai Tula and several other traditional title holders.
Other dignitaries included the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Lawan Yahuza, Director General, National Population Commission. Dr. Ghaji Ismail Bello, Ambassador Muhammad Jumba, representative of the Honourable Minister of Education. Dr. Abdulrazak Gbodamasi Lawal and Professor Dallah Abdullahi Hamadu who represented of the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University amongst several other guests at the occasion.
