Asiwaju Moshood Shittu (AMS), a respected political figure and former Deputy National Campaign Secretary of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has applauded the recent conferment of an Honorary Doctorate Degree on Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso by the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil.
The award ceremony, held at the university which Kwankwaso himself established during his first tenure as Governor of Kano State (1999–2003), was a celebration of his monumental contributions to education and nation-building.
Reacting to the honour, AMS described Kwankwaso as a singular force in Nigeria’s educational transformation, particularly for the downtrodden masses.
He asserted that no former governor or politician since 1999 rivals Kwankwaso in terms of establishing educational institutions for the talakawas.
AMS recalled that Kwankwaso established at least 26 tertiary institutions, the majority of which came to life during his second term in office between 2011 and 2015. These included universities, colleges, and specialized institutes covering a wide array of disciplines such as health, agriculture, entrepreneurship, journalism, security, hospitality, and religious studies.
Institutions like the College of Nursing and Midwifery in Madobi, the School of Health Technology in Bebeji, and the College of Arts, Sciences and Remedial Studies in Tudun Wada are part of the legacy that continues to empower Kano’s youth. Others include the Poultry, Livestock, Horticulture, and Irrigation Institutes; Institutes for Quranic Studies and Journalism; as well as the Chinese Bilingual College in Kwankwaso, Madobi.
“You truly cannot love Kano and hate Kwankwaso,” AMS declared.
According to him, Kwankwaso’s commitment to empowering the less privileged through accessible education remains unmatched in modern Nigerian history.
In a Facebook post reflecting on the event, Senator Kwankwaso expressed deep appreciation to the university, noting that while he had undertaken various initiatives for societal advancement, he hoped to be most remembered as the architect behind the establishment of Kano’s two state-owned universities.
He dedicated the award to the people of Kano, the Nigerian public, and everyone passionate about educational advancement.
Also honoured during the convocation were Nigeria’s foremost industrialist and Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and influential businessman, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal. Both were recognised for their exceptional contributions to national development and economic empowerment.
The event was attended by an array of dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf; Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam; Senator Rufa’i Hanga; members of both the National and State Assemblies; the NNPP National Working Committee; traditional rulers; commissioners; special advisers; and several other respected stakeholders.
