The Chairman, Governing Council of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo has charged the students of the university to learn other foreign languages in addition to the English language saying that every MAAUN student would graduate as bilingual.
Prof. Abubakar Gwarzo gave the charge at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the newly admitted students of the university held at the Ibrahim Usman Yakasai Sports Complex of the institution on Monday.
Over 500 students matriculated at the university's Sports complex on Monday.
He said the call was necessary because bilingual education helps students effectively connect with people of different cultures and backgrounds, increasing their ability to empathize with others and promoting emotional intelligence.
According to him, the future of Nigeria needs French language but unfortunately the country lacks bilingualism.
He enjoined the students to make the best use of the opportunity provided by the university to turn their individual dream into a working reality.
Prof. Abubakar Gwarzo told the inducted students to face their studies with all the seriousness it deserves as anybody who is here to buy a certificate is wasting his time.
Earlier in his address, the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, said the State government would provide maximum security and land to support the operation and expansion of the university in the state.
Gawuna lauded the effort of Prof. Abubakar Gwarzo for making education a priority not only in Nigeria but in the West African sub-region.
He also commended Gwarzo for his kind gesture in giving students scholarships to study both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The Governor charged the inducted students to make proper use of the opportunity for their academic development.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Rasheed, represented by Prof. Ibrahim Usman Yakasai, saluted the University for breaking the record of being the first private university in Nigeria to start with the number of students.
Rasheed added that of the 111 private universities in the country, MAAUN is the first to set this historical milestone attributing the feat to the financial capacity of the Founder as well his commitment to providing quality education.
He expressed his admiration at the rate in which MAAUN was able to, within a short period, meet all the 14 steps of the NUC accreditation requirements as a precondition to establishing a university.
Highlighting the elements of university ranking, Rasheed expressed hope that MAAUN is at the verge of emerging at the top ranking university.
Prominent personalities that attended the maiden matriculation ceremony include Vice Chancellor of Federal University Dutsinma, Prof. Armaya'u Hamisu Bichi, Representative of the Emir of Kano and Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, chairman Board of Trustees of MAAUN.
Others were, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse, Speaker, Jigawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Idris Garba Jahun, Ma'azu Abdulrahman, Comptroller General of Immigration, and President of West African Union of Universities, Benin Republic, among others.
