Sen.Al-Makura’s Confirmation Of Doctor Of Letters By The Federal University Of Lafia,  A Well Deserved Award

Rabiu Omaku

Wise men says no matter how good or bad we are we must reap what we sow whether negative or in positive way, this applicable to the immediate past Governor of Nasarawa state, Senator Dr. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the architect of Modern Nasarawa State as he was amongst other nationalist conferred with doctor of letters “hononary causa by the Federal University of Lafia”,  Al-Makura laid a solid foundation for the smooth take-off of academic activities in the University.

The immediate past Governor has contributed immensely towards the development of the 12 year old Federal University of Lafia established by the former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan without a single structure to commence programmes.

The People’s Democratic Party then Federal Government established University of Lafia alongside with the Federal University Dutse in Jigawa state,Dutsinma in  Katsina, Otueke in Bayelsa state and amongst others was just the nightmare of an expectant mother forgotten the pains of labour with her new born baby.

The location of the Federal institution raised some tension between the late Governors.

Aliyu Akwe Doma, Lafia Emirate Council and the new Governor Al-Makura on assumption of office after May 29th donated “the state of the art State Secretariat” to the University to commence full academic activities at what they now called “take-off site” by so doing it ended the contemplation of the seat of the new University which supposed to be sited in Doma, the country home of the then Governor. Aliyu Akwe according to people close to the former Governor.

The donation and extension of his olive branches continue until the expiration of his second term in office, the history of Federal University of Lafia would not be complete without mentioning the name of the “Doctor of Letters” Senator Dr. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the then state Government also donated the land occupied as the permanent site of the Institution to the pioneer Vice Chancellor Professor Ekanem Braithwaite.

One of the feat of the former Governor in the University is that Al-Makura blocked all leakages of land dispute between the University and the host communities given room to the fast pace of development.

The appellation of “Seeing Is Believing” is real in the Federal University as one of the projects he executed, the building of female hostel  is yet to be completed.

Al-Makura has raised the bar and status of the Federal University of Lafia by constructing road network, an effort worthy of emulation.

To make the school more effective and efficient in medical field, the former Governor, Dr.Umaru Tanko Al-Makura donated a state of the art “Dalhatu Araf Specialists Hospital to the University to kick start a University Teaching Hospital, Lafia.

The holistic measure of Al-Makura was meant to end the acute shortage of doctors in the state, no doubt the development of the twelve years Federal University now Federal University of Lafia from inception serves as a centre for the employment of labour.

Is no longer news that with the contributions of the then Governor to laid a solid foundation for the institution serves as a fertile ground for the employment of over 300 indigenes of the state and host community and its environs.

The award of honorary doctorate degree to Dr.Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and the encomium showered on him speaks volume of his contributions as he said any nation without qualitative education or no education at all is a disaster.

Professor Muhammed Sanusi Liman, Vice Chancellor of the University lauded the contributions of Al-Makura when he held sway as the executive Governor of the state.

Professor Sanusi Liman appreciates the immediate past Governor for taken the University as his own project, the Vice Chancellor confirmed that the support of Dr.Al-Makura to the institution as one of the fastest developing institution while comparing it with the other sister insti

According to the Vice Chancellor, “Senator Al-Makura had raised the bar of delivering democratic dividends to the people of Nasarawa state and the University Community “as he appreciated the contributions ranging from building access road network and the donation of building to commence University Teaching Hospital and amongst other silent contributions.

Also the incumbent Governor of Nasarawa state, Engr.Abdullahi Sule appreciates the immense contributions of Senator Al-Makura whom he confirmed as the Architect of Nasarawa state, the commitment of the doctor of letters may not be unconnected to the automatic employment of three best graduated indigents of Nasarawa state by Azman Oil, Gas and Rice Farm situated Nasarawa state.