Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced automatic employment for the overall best graduating students of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU) after their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as he was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration by the institution.
The governor made the announcement at the 14th convocation ceremony of UMYU, where he also approved a ₦100,000 cash award for best graduating students across all departments and a brand-new vehicle for the overall best graduand.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda
Governor Radda directed the Head of Service to identify and process the beneficiaries, describing the gesture as a deliberate effort to reward excellence and encourage high academic standards among students.
“I accept this honour with humility and a renewed sense of responsibility to serve the people of Katsina State with dedication and integrity,” the governor said, describing the honorary degree as a call to greater service.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state-owned university, which he described as a centre of learning, character and service, and urged graduating students to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose and serve society selflessly.
In further commitments to the university, Governor Radda announced the release of funds for programme accreditation to meet national and international standards and approved a salary increment for both academic and non-academic staff, in appreciation of their dedication and service.
Chancellor of the University, Senator Ibrahim M. Ida (Wazirin Katsina)
Earlier, the Chancellor of the University, Senator Ibrahim M. Ida (Wazirin Katsina), said the convocation marked a celebration of the graduands’ perseverance and the support of their families, while commending the institution’s progress in academic expansion, research and community engagement.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika, praised the governor’s leadership and reiterated the Council’s commitment to repositioning the university for global competitiveness.
Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Shehu Salihu Muhammad, said UMYU had grown from about 1,000 students to over 20,000, now offering 117 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. He disclosed that all programmes were fully accredited and commended the state government for prompt salary payments and sustained support.
Prof. Muhammad also congratulated the 2,682 graduands, including 31 First Class degree holders.
Speaking on behalf of the honorary doctorate recipients, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i thanked the university and urged the graduands to serve society with honesty, dedication and integrity.
Other recipients of honorary doctorate degrees were Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar, Ambassador Ali bin Ghanem Al-Hijri and the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
The convocation ceremony was attended by top government officials, lawmakers, judicial officers, traditional rulers, heads of tertiary institutions, business leaders and other dignitaries from within and outside Katsina State.
