President Bola Tinubu has on Saturday called on Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State to wade into the land dispute between the Bayero University, Kano, BUK and neighbouring communities with the intention to resolving the dispute.
The President made the call during the 39th convocation ceremony of Bayero University, Kano.
Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmed called on the Governor to intervene by issuing the University the title deed it deserves.
He said the government is aware of the challenge of the lack of perimeter fencing faced by the University and has made some funds available to construct a fence around the institution.
The President further called on the universities in the country to leverage research conducted in order to develop alternative source of power in the face of increasing electricity tariffs.
“The government is aware of the difficulties Universities are facing in terms of increasing electricity tariffs which culminated to huge bills. We are making significant efforts to make sure that the condition stabilize so that our universities can function optimally.
“However while we are making this conscious effort, I would like to implore our universities to leverage the research conducted to come up with little solutions in terms of alternative power supply,” President Tinubu said.
The President also directed the University Governing Councils and the Senate to restore the lost academic culture of the universities to ensure the universities produce quality graduates who can measure up with global standards.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Sagir Abbas lamented over the high cost of electricity which he said gulped one-quarter of revenue generated by the institution while appealing to the government to reduce the electricity tariff for educational institutions.
He also appeals to the government to increase financial support for research and innovations to the institution noting that investing in innovations is investing in the growth and development of the nation.
Prof. Abbas, however, appealed to the Kano State government to expedite action towards issuance of C-of-O to the institution to put an end to land disputes and encroachment by unauthorized persons.
