LUBCON founder and Chairman Alhaji Jani Ibrahim has been honoured with an honorary Doctorate Degree (PhD) by Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State, for his inspiring accomplishments in engineering, scholarships, and public service.
Jani Ibrahim is also the 1st Deputy President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
It was on the occasion of the 20th Convocation ceremony of the institution, which had the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, as its anniversary lecturer.
This is also why the Alumni Association of the National Institute commended his ensuring legacy of service.
In a felicitation message by the President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Ambassador E O Okafor and signed by the Publicity Secretary, Brigadier General SK Usman, on behalf of the National Executive Committee and the members of the association, congratulated Alhaji Jani, who was also a former President, and an outstanding entrepreneur.
The statement reads, in part, „This well-deserved recognition bears eloquent testimony to your exceptional contributions to national development, your commitment to the values of leadership and excellence, and your dedication to uplifting society through engineering, public service, and impactful mentorship.
„As a revered leader within AANI and beyond, your achievements inspire and set a remarkable example for others to emulate. The conferment of this prestigious award by Al-Hikmah University Ilorin further portrays your enduring legacy of service to humanity and accomplishment in various spheres of endeavours.
„Therefore, AANI congratulates you and celebrates this milestone with you, your family, and your well-wishers as we pray for more successes, good health, and greater contributions to our nation and humanity.“
The Vice Chancellor of the fast-growing Islamic University, Professor Noah Yusuf, extolled Jani Ibrahim‘s virtues in business and public service, adding that outstanding men and women of integrity deserve the institution‘s honour.
In his address, Governor Zulum of Borno State charged faith-based institutions to produce graduates trained in spirituality and morality to help Nigeria overcome its current moral decadence and social vices.
Delivering the 20th-anniversary lecture-themed “Two Decades of Excellence: Al-Hikmah University’s Impact on Scholarship and Educational Development in Nigeria,” Governor Zulum urged Nigerian youth to embrace humility and hard work.
Zulum, who recalled being the son of a peasant farmer and a commercial driver plying the Maiduguri-Okene-Ibadan roads, advised the youth to respect their parents, sacrifice for humanity, and love hard work.
According to him, shortcuts to success often end in regret and disaster. He said: “Hard work is good, but humility takes you far in life.”
“Hard work is one thing, but humility is the best. When I finished my Master’s, I went to my village to farm with my parents. I could have remained in Maiduguri wearing a babanriga, but because I had to be obedient to my parents, that is why I am what I am today,” he said.
Also speaking, the former governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, described the founder of Al-Hikmah University, Dr. Abdulraheem Oladimeji, as a great contributor to quality education in Nigeria.
The two-term former governor of Katsina State said that Oladimeji’s efforts to prioritise education in Nigeria have made a meaningful impact on the lives of Nigerian youth.
In his address at the university‘s 20th anniversary dinner/award night, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Noah Yusuf, regretted the university’s most pressing challenge was inadequate funding.
The VC also stated that the funding challenge‘s ripple effect is the university‘s inability to meet some critical needs.
He, therefore, appealed for support from the university’s friends in constructing hostels, building faculty buildings, and jointly constructing classrooms and offices to be endowed after the names of the donors.
He added that scholarship grants for indigent students and research funding for academic staff are among the many problems facing the university.
