The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, has appealed to alumni of the university, particularly serving and former state governor to assist the university towards the celebration of its Golden Jubilee.
Mustapha made the appeal when he led members of the university's management, on a visit to Kaduna State governor, Patrick Yakowa, to intimate him of the university's state of preparations to host the historic event.
Established in 1962, ABU will be 50 on October 4 and a committee has been set up to draw up a befitting anniversary celebration, slated for October 4 to November 24, 2012.
According to a statement, by the media aide to the vice-chancellor, Waziri Gwantu, the vice-chancellor particularly seeks the support of the university's alumni towards projects including rehabilitation of all dilapidated roads in both the academic and residential areas of the two campuses of the university estimated at the cost of N2 billion, dredging of the university dam estimated at the cost of N7 billion, including the cost of the water treatment plant; and the development of the institution's phase II project, which will require the construction of a bridge and other major structures and infrastructure such as road network, electricity and water.
He said the celebration which would be climaxed by a special convocation ceremony, presentation of the 'Sir Ahmadu Bello Golden Award' and wall of fame, was meant to showcase the university's achievements, breakthroughs, honour past heroes and major supporters and to also unveil its plans for the future.
The vice-chancellor urged Yakowa, who doubles both as an alumnus and chief host of the university, to contact and mobilise serving and past governors that passed through the university to come and participate fully in the 50 anniversary by contributing generously for the successful hosting of the event and the execution of vital projects central in the future development of the university.
Mustapha disclosed that an appeal fund was also intended to be launched to generate funds to execute projects in the university, saying alumnus or stakeholders willing to take up projects at the institution were welcome to do so.
