The Nasarawa State University, Keffi under the leadership of the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, who was appointed on the 8th of October, 2018, has seen some major developments in the areas of linkages and collaborations with both local and international institutions to further expose the University’s outreach, and as well benefit from staff and students development.
Within this period, the University also witnessed a handful of Conferences and Workshops organized by professional associations and departments.
LINKAGES/COLLABORATIONS
1. UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE, SCOTLAND
The Chancellor of NSUK HRH Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, led a delegation of the University of Dundee to discuss areas of partnership with Nasarawa State University, Keffi on Friday the 19th of October, 2018.
The Dundee team was led by Prof. Peter MCLeavey, the University’s Academic Lead for Africa and the Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed agreed to partner in areas of students and staff development which will be of mutual benefit to both institutions.
2. NIGERIAN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AGENCY (NGSA)
A Federal Government delegation from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) led by a Consultant from the Agency, Prof. A. A. Adepelumi, on the 5th of November, 2018 visited the Ag. Vice Chancellor to discuss a partnership with Nasarawa State University, Keffi in establishing an earth tremor/earthquake monitoring centre in the University. The Ag. Vice Chancellor gave immediate approval and work has since commenced on the project.
3. SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA FOUNDATION
The Ag. Vice Chancellor on the 15th of November had an audience with a delegation from the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation led by the Director General of the Foundation, Ms. Farris Jacqueline.
The University discussed collaboration with the Foundation on researches in areas of agriculture and food security.
4. GENERAL ELECTRIC
Nasarawa State University, Keffi and General Electric are presently forging a relationship, of which has seen the University benefit 40 sets of laptop computers by General Electric (GE) to help the department set up an E-Learning Centre to further aid research and learning.
The President/CEO of GE Africa, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, led other officials of the company to NSUK on Monday, 17th December, 2018 to make the presentation.
5. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, KEFFI
NSUK and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi have a long standing relationship, collaborating in healthcare delivery for staff and students. The Chief Medical Director of FMC, Keffi Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu, recently visited the Acting Vice Chancellor to further strengthen this partnership.
6. SCHOOL OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY , KEFFI
NSUK under Prof. Suleiman has also held similar discussion on strengthening collaborations with the School of Health Technology, Keffi, January, 31st, 2019.
CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS
1. NIGERIAN ASSOCIATION OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGISTS (NAFP)
The Ag. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed. On the 17th of October, 2018, declared open a Inaugural Conference of the Nigerian Association of Forensic Psychologists (NAFP) held at the Conference Room of the School of Postgraduate Studies, NSUK.
2. NIGERIAN COMMITTEE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WORKING CLASS SOLIDARITY
The Ag. Vice Chancellor on the 5th of November, 2018 declared open a 4-Day Conference on Capitalism, Imperialism and Revolutions in the 21st Century organized by the Nigerian Committee for the Advancement of Working Class Solidarity in conjunction with the Nigerian Political Science Association and the Faculty of Social Sciences, NSUK.
3. NIGERIAN SOCIETY OF MINING ENGINEERS (NSME)
The Ag. Vice Chancellor, on the 22nd of November, 2018 also declared open the Annual General Meeting/International Conference of the Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers held at the Assembly Hall of the University.
4. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Ag. Vice Chancellor on the 20th of November, 2018 was the Chief Host of an International Conference on Public Administration which had the Head of Service of the Federation Mrs. Oyo-Ita as Keynote Speaker. The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura represented by his Deputy, Silas Agara was the Special Guest of Honour.
STAFF WELFARE
The Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed led management has consistently interacted with the leadership of various unions namely, ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT, which has resulted in a very cordial relationship between management and the unions.
Management also sat with the auxiliary staff of the University comprising cleaners and security staff, where issues of concern, especially ensuring cleaner and safer campus.
HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP ON CAMPUS
The Vice Chancellor has through deliberate effort, engaged different religious and tribal groups within the University campus, where he admonished them to eschew rancorous relationship and work towards building a cosmopolitan institution.
The Vice Chancellor also successfully quelled the long standing feud within the student union body through a conflict resolution engagement with their leaders.
SECURITY
Management under Prof. Suleiman in the last 3 months, in the enhancement of the security of the University community, is also consolidating on the existing relationship between NSUK and relevant security agencies.
In November, 2018, the erstwhile DIG of Police (Operations), Habila Joshak, visited the Acting Vice Chancellor where issues bordering on the improvement of the security of lives and property were discussed.
Also in February, 2019, the management staff of the University visited the Commanding Officer of the 177 Guards Battalion, Shittu Alao Barracks, Keffi, Lt. Col. Musa Uba, similarly to solidify corporation between the two institutions.
The safety and free movement of vehicular traffic is also OF paramount concern to the University management hence the visit of the Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Keffi, ACC Joseph J. Ameh, to the Acting Vice Chancellor in February, 2019.
NSUK To Sanction Erring Contractors
Any contractor engaged in any of the University projects who fails to deliver on schedule or delivers a substandard job will see its job revoked and no longer be considered for future engagement within the University.
This stern warning was handed down by the Acting Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, when he made on the spot visit to ongoing TetFund sponsored projects in the University at the Faculty of Agriculture, Lafia Campus of the University on Tuesday, 9th January, 2019.
Prof. Suleiman expressed disappointment at the slow pace of work in most of project sites visted.
He noted that most of the contractors are either incompetent or lack the capacity to handle the projects.
“This project are 70 Million Naira or so projects, and you can’t deliver it within the stipulated period. What will happen if you’re given a project worth of 500 million or more?, he queried.
He said, henceforth, incompetent and unserious contractors will not be given any opportunity of handling any of the University’s projects, insisting that only those who have shown the capacity to deliver quality jobs on scheduled will be engaged.
The Acting Vice Chancellor was accompanied by the Registrar, Bala I. Ahmed II, Bursar, Michael Waki, Director of Works, Engr. Jerry Inji, Director of Physical Planning Unit, Engr. Liman, Head of Information and Protocol Unit, Abraham Ekpo, among others.
NSUK Repositioning Committee Submits Report
…Ag. VC vows to implement recommendations
The Nasarawa State University, Keffi Repositioning Committee on Monday, 28 January, 2019 submitted its report with far reaching recommendations meant to address some of the challenges facing the University, and position it towards becoming a 21st Century citadel of excellence.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Adamu Baikie, while receiving the report from the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. George Kwanashi, said the findings and recommendations will be duly studied and implemented in line with the directives of the Visitor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, during the inauguration of the Governing Council on Tuesday, 11th September, 2018 at Government House, Lafia.
Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University earlier in his remarks, vowed to implement the recommendations of the Committee as soon as the Governing Council ratifies the document.
The Visitor had clearly mandated the Governing Council “to overhaul the entire organogram of the institution to make it more compact, professional and academically sound, befitting of citadel of excellence”.
On Thursday, 29th November, 2018 the Governing Council inaugurated the Repositioning Committee, with specific terms of reference of the Committee which includes:
1. Overhaul the entire organogram of the institution to make it more compact, professional and academically sound, befitting of this great citadel of excellence;
2. Review all improper appointments and promotions of both academic and non-academic staff and where necessary to conduct proper placement of staff;
3. Review the procedure followed in creating new departments, consultancy programmes and determine their suitability in line with the requisite guidelines of the National Universities Commission;
4. Examine the compliance or otherwise of the admission policy of the University with regards to the approved quota system and;
5. To make appropriate recommendations on how to reposition the University.
Members of the Committee include:
1. Professor George Kwanashi, former DVC, ABU Zaria – Chairman
2. Prof. Olu Jegede, former VC, NOUN – Member
3. Alh. Aliyu Abdullahi Agwai (MOE) – Member
4. Barr. Dr. Abdulkarim Kana (Attorney General) – Member
5. Mall. M.B. Modibbo, former Registrar, Univ. of Abuja – Member/Sec.
6. Dr. Idris Jibrin, former Registrar FULafia – Member/Asst. Sec.
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