Abdulsalami Urges FG to Support Private Institutions

*Ex-Head of State, Wike bag honorary degrees

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has urged the federal government to render support to private universities through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and other agencies of government through the various initiatives currently being enjoyed only by public institutions.

He also called on the state governments to support private institutions in their various states, for improved standard of education of the students.

Abdulsalami made the call yesterday, in his address at the first convocation and fourth founders’ day celebration of PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The former Head of State noted that the success of PUMS is a demonstration of what can be achieved when state governments step in to support the provision of private education in their respective states.

He stressed that the institution was only four years yet, it has blazed the trail among other universities in the country.

The former Head of State said: “In the same vein, the federal government is called upon to render support to private institutions through university education trust funds.
“It is also statutory for state governors to extend a hand of support to private institutions in their respective states. It is important because of the not too pleasant experience in other institutions”.

Abdulsalami commended Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike’s administration for offering a scholarship to students of Rivers extraction studying at PAMO University.
According to him, the governor’s unrivalled contribution to the development of the university would forever be in the annals of her history.

In his remarks, Governor Wike said the government and people of Rivers State are delighted with the establishment of PUMS, and the vast opportunities it has availed youths in the state to become highly educated and skilful medical professionals and practitioners.

He said the state government has maintained and sustained a close, symbiotic, and mutually beneficial relationship with the university from its inception to date, by identifying with and contributing materially to its steady growth and progress.

“Back in 2017, we instituted a special public scholarship, covering tuition, accommodation, and feeding to encourage our indigenous students to take advantage of the university and become graduates and professionals of the areas of interest.

“We have religiously implemented this scholarship programme for four consecutive years with almost 600 beneficiaries as at the last academic session.

“Today, I am very pleased to note that all the graduating students of Rivers State origin are scholars of the Rivers State Government educated and trained with public funds.
“In addition to the scholarship, which now costs well over N2.9 billion to implement annually, we have also made several generous financial donations towards the infrastructural development of the University.”

He commended former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, for establishing the first and only private medical university in the entire South-south geo-political region of Nigeria.
The governor, who attributed his success in life to his faith in God and education, said his political life, just like that of Odili, has been a lesson in devotion, hard work, and passion for success and service.

Governor Wike announced a N500 million grant to PAMO University; a post-graduate scholarship to the overall best graduating student, and a N5million reward for each of the best departmental graduating students.

In his keynote speech, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said private universities have continued to play a vital role in the national development of Nigeria.

He said PAMO University is currently the 19th best private university, and 35th best out of 200 universities in the country.

On his part, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Dr. Peter Odili, said the management of the institution remains unapologetically committed to total compliance to the rules and sanctions for any breaches by staff and students.

He commended Governor Wike for offering a scholarship to over 600 Rivers State students to study medicine and allied medical courses at PAMO University.

Meanwhile, Abdulsalami and Wike were conferred with honorary doctorate by the university.
While Abdulsalami, who is also the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the University was conferred with Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) Honoris Causa, Governor Wike bagged an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa.
The university graduated 21 students from the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Physiology.