Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has said continuity is key to development.

He stated this when the Academic Staff of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kontagora, visited him at the Niger State liaison office, Abuja, to canvass support for the Provost of the College Prof. Faruk Rashid Haruna to become the pioneer Vice Chancellor following the upgrade of the College to a Federal University of Education.

The Farmer Governor who welcomed the idea, described Prof. Rashid Haruna as a true definition of an administrator per excellence.

He said continuity in any organization, would bring about rapid transformation and assured that he would champion the crusade of the Association to achieve the desired result.

The Farmer Governor recalled the good relationship he has maintained with the Provost of the FCE Kontagora, Prof. Faruk Rashid Haruna when the Provost was in the Niger State College of Education (COE) Minna, and he was in the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives.

He further stated how he facilitated many Federal interventions to the COE Minna and FCE Kontagora.

The Farmer Governor noted that the collective resolve of the government to upgrade the FCE to the Federal University of Education was in tandem with the yearnings of the people.

He pointed out that Kontagora as an ancient city, deserves more than a College of Education.

Earlier, the Chairman, Academic Staff Committee, FCE Kontagora, Jibrin Garba Danwake, explained that their visit was to seek the support of the Governor towards ensuring that Prof. Rashid Haruna is returned as the first Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education Kontagora.

He said the decision was the outcome of a series of meetings with various associations in the College.

Garba Danwake highlighted that Prof. Rashid Haruna has performed creditably well in terms of infrastructural development of the FCE, ensuring cordial community-college relationships and the open-door policy with which he has been operating in the College.

He said the take-off period of any institution is critical, hence the need to have a tested and reliable hand, which they have found in the person of Prof. Rashid Haruna.

The Chairman, of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), FCE Kontagora, Dr Attah Henry Attah also attested to the fact that Prof. Rashid Haruna has written his name in gold when it comes to transformation in tertiary institutions.

He said the FCE Provost was able to replicate the giant strides he recorded while at COE Minna, in the FCE Kontagora.

Dr Henry Attah appealed to the Governor to use his good office in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the emergence of the Provost as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the university in preparation for its take-off.

Bologi Ibrahim

Chief Press Secretary

to the Governor of Niger State

29/2/2024.