‘Varsities must be developed to produce sound leaders’

Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, has called for the development of the nation ‘s universities to produce intellectually sound people who will lead the country.

Usman spoke at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Alumni dinner/ interactive session held in Lagos to bring together former students for the development of the institution and the society at large.

The twin events, which held at the Academy Inn, Lateef Jakande Road, Ikeja, and the Radison Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, had in attendance professionals, businessmen, entrepreneurs and captains of industries.

Usman who is also an alumnus of the university decried the level of distrust the elites have in the nation’s university system saying this is the major cause of decay and the continued dwindling education standard.

“Educate your children in Nigeria. You don’t have to send your child or wards abroad to be able to speak good English or make anything good in life.

Let us all develop our tertiary institutions in Nigeria so we can produce intellectually sound people who will lead the country.

Let us cut down on capital flight and train our children here. I am a product of ABU, the institution made me, ABU is my life and I am proud to be an ABU alumnus.

President of the association, Prof. Ahmed Mora expressed satisfaction over members’ patriotism and zeal, noting that the association has done credibly well especially in the area of educational support and development.

While highlighting some of the association’s achievements in the past years, Mora urged members to initiate and implement programs and projects for the university; while also improving fellowship and networking to ensure that the bond initiated is not broken.