ABU To Honour Uwais, Fika, Chihombori-Quao

Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU) Zaria has approved the award for Honorary Degrees to three deserving personalities at its 43rd Convocation Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 27th January, 2024 as approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, visitor to the university.

The deserving honorees are the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, the late Wazirin Fika, Malam Adamu Mu’azzam Fika, and the former African Union Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao.

Justice Uwais will be conferred with the degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) Honoris Causa, the late Adamu Fika is recommended for posthumous conferment with the degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) Honoris Causa, and Ambassador Chihombori-Quao is to receive the degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa.

ABU’s decision to confer the eminent personalities with the Honorary Degrees is in accordance with Statute 11 of the institution’s Laws.

Justice Uwais, who had an excellent career in the Nigerian judiciary and international judicial organisations from 1964 to 2006, rose through the ranks by dint of hard work and dedication to duty to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1995. Uwais’ career is replete with record-breaking attainments that impacted positively on the Nigerian and international judiciary. For instance, he had the opportunity of delivering more judgments than most of his colleagues who passed through the Supreme Court.

Fika, who was pro-chancellor and chairman of Ahmadu Bello University Governing Council, served as Commissioner of Finance in the defunct North Eastern State in 1972; Permanent Secretary in various Federal Ministries and establishments; Secretary to the Government and Civil Service of the Federation; and chairman of several government and private agencies and organisations.

The services he rendered in these capacities went a long way in enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the public service and educational development.

Chihombori-Quao, former African Union Representative to the United Nations, is an exemplary leader and advocate for African unity, social justice, and economic empowerment, and global issues. Born and grew up in a village of Chivhu in Zimbabwe, and later emigrated to the United States in 1977, Chihombori-Quao tirelessly worked towards strengthening the relationship between Africa and the United States.

Her dedication to fostering partnerships, promoting investment, and advocating for the interest of the African Continent has been exceptional. She has consistently advocated for African unity and the empowerment of African nations on the global stage.

All the three deserving honorees have since accepted the decision of the institution to be conferred with the honorary degrees of the university during the upcoming convocation ceremony, according to the public relations officer, Auwalu Umar.