The Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has commended the Sokoto State University for the conferment of posthumous honorary degree to late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Ali Shinkafi.
Bagudu made the commendation at the convocation ceremony of Sokoto State University, on Saturday, when the institution graduated no fewer than 1,473 students, out of which 36 had First Class Degrees.
The University held its maiden combined 1st, 2nd and 3rd Convocation Ceremony, on Saturday, for the 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 Academic Sessions.
He said that, the gesture was not in any way misplaced as the late Marafan Sokoto was an epitome of humility, scholarship, piety and patriotism.
“Let me join her excellency on behalf of Marafan Sokoto family in thanking the University and the visitor, the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal for the magnanimous recognition and award of the posthumous degree to late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Ali Shinkafi”, he said.
Responding shortly after receiving the honorary degree on behalf of her late father, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi -Bagudu, the wife of Kebbi State Governor, said the deceased was a firm believer of the desire to fully develop Nigeria.
She announced the endowment of N5million to the Faculty of Arts and Islamic Studies of the University, under the Umaru Shinkafi Education Endowment Foundation.
The Wife of the Kebbi State Governor also announced a N250,000 Prize for the best graduating student in Arabic and Islamic studies, Political Science, as well as N250,000 Prize each for the best female graduating student in Basic Sciences and Microbiology in order to promote girl child education as well as to develop science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM).
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu on behalf of the entire family of late Marafan Sokoto, expressed gratitude to University of Sokoto for the honor bestowed on her late father. “We are humbled and delighted beyond words for the award to late Marafan Sokoto,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal announced the renaming of the Senate Building after the late Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, and the Library after late Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir.
Tambuwal commended the former Governor of the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for his foresight and vision in establishing the University.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, thanked Wamakko for establishing the University, just as he lauded Tambuwal for sustaining it to its present enviable position.
The Sultan also appealed to the Management of the Institution, to among other things, set up the Faculty of Sokoto Caliphate Studies, to broaden the study of the myriad of literature written by the Founders of the Sokoto Caliphate over 200 years ago.
The Chancellor, Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi, Emir of Dutse, said, congratulated Tambuwal for “investing handsome resources in the educational future of your people.”
