The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for approving the upgrade of the Federal College of Education, Kano, to a full-fledged Federal University of Education.
At a ceremony to award scholarships to 1,000 students from Kano North Senatorial District, Senator Barau said President Tinubu’s decision to grant the long-awaited approval demonstrated his love for Kano State, Northern Nigeria and the entire country.
He said, “Mr. President is a leader we are proud of—a president who loves Kano, who loves Northern Nigeria, and who loves Nigeria. For over 10 years, I have fought for the upgrade of this college to a university, and when I presented the request to him, he said, ‘It’s a done deal.’ That is the kind of leader he is,” Barau said.
The senator also thanked Tinubu for approving the renaming of the institution in honour of the late elder statesman and former minister of petroleum, Alhaji Maitaima Sule, Dan Masanin Kano, saying it was a befitting way to immortalise a man who devoted his life to public service.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting education in Kano, noting that human capital remains the most vital resource for national development.
Barau announced that the scholarship scheme, which began with Bayero University and Northwest University, would continue yearly and will soon be extended to Kano Central and South students.
“Education is the bedrock of every society. That is why I am giving scholarships to all students from Kano North without political considerations,” he said.
He urged the beneficiaries to focus on their studies, saying there is no greater path to success than education.
In his remarks, the vice chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Kadage, praised Barau for his pivotal role in establishing and supporting the university, describing him as “the father of the institution” whose commitment continues to transform education in the region.
