3
1
By Dr. Alameen Abdulkadir.
This weekend, the China-African Relation Forum honoured the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah with the best VC of the year award.
Over time, I have closely monitored the success stories and achievements of this technocratic giant called Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, not for fun but to learn some goal driven and success oriented skills to equip myself in the sojourn of life.
It started with one of the convocation lecture series
where he was able to woo former Ghanaian President, John Kufuor and United Nations Under Secretary General, then, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari to his base as VC Kwara State University. The two global citizens attested to his classical ingenuity.
My phenomenological research about his personality came to the conclusion that, Professor Na’Allah’s technocratic skill is no doubt an asset to any institution he heads.
His ability to think strategically within, outside and over the box, as well as his innovative drive for positive change is a hallmark of his leadership style.
A pedagogical genius, with experience in managing complex academic institutions without him having genesitic familiarity, has testified to his distinction as a born-technocrat.
As the pioneer Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, starting the citadel from zero level, he elasticized the university’s infrastructure to the marvel point. He also introduced numerous innovative academic activities including the top up/conversion program which many universities followeth today.
Just like the saying, “once you are good, you’re good, home or away”, in another strange environment, he has handed the University of Abuja unprecedented reforms and achievements, in spite of Covid-19 lock down and the eight months ASUU strike that chopped almost half of his tenure. That’s Prof. for you, he never gives nor takes excuse for failure.
The records of his achievements are there, from infrastructure to human capital development to technological innovations among others. Please, take time to find out.
Prof. Na’Allah is a Vice Chancellor known for breaking numerous records. He’s the first Vice-Chancellor to introduce Students Employment Scheme to Nigerian universities, the first to introduce Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering,
the first to introduce Railway Engineering, to be verified by National Universities Commission, the first in the history of UniAbuja to secure NUC’s approval to commence twenty seven (27) new programmes at a go.
The university’s internally generated revenue (IGR) was raised to the bar under his watch without recourse to school fee hike. He jogged from end to end to garner financial support from research driven organizations, philanthropists, alumni and government agencies. His invested time and energy on this impelled resources that were prudently channelled to erection of befitting faculties and lecture theatres, world-class laboratories, international conference centres, renovation and building of new hostels, completion of the old senate building and other abandoned projects; PG school, faculty of engineering, faculty of sciences among others, new staff quarters on campus, staff retreat centre, mini stadium, computer laboratories across the campus, street light on the entire campus and its walk ways, good road network, solar farms, to mention a few.
This laid the foundation for the successful relocation of the university to its permanent site, more than thirty years after its establishment. It equally predicates unprecedented collaboration with different countries from the global south and north.
Presently, the Chinese government through the China-African Forum is on steady support for the University’s Engineering programme. The Chinese people are known for hard work and diligence, if they endorse you, it means you are above board. Their forum having closely monitored this technocratic giant threw weight behind his distinction as Nigeria’s Vice Chancellor of the year.
Humble and humane, respectful and respected, energetic and etheric, Prof. Na’Allah is not just a think-tank for the nation but surely an export commodity and a scholar of international repute.
For those around the presidency, do a fact-check on the successes and success wands of this man called Abdulrasheed, I bet, you will either make him your consultant or pair him a seat in Baba Tinubu’s private cabinet. He’s highly cerebral with a goal getter spirit.
Congratulations, Prof.
Wishing you more successes in life and hereafter.
ameen.abdulkadir@uniabuja.edu.ng, teaches International Relations at the University of Abuja.
