Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe: Pioneer VC of Borno State University bows out gracefully, by Prof. Matawalli Ajagana Geidam
The profoundly remarkable tenure of Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe as pioneer VC of Borno State University (BOSU) under the patriotic, dynamic, and purposeful leadership of HE Prof BGU Zulum, mni CON, has witnessed phenomenal growth & rapid development.
BOSU, founded by one of the most brilliant, patriotic and visionary governors of all times, and present Vice President of the federal republic of Nigeria, HE Sen Kashim Shettima, GCON, has full accreditation in all (100%) her profoundly remarkable and futuristic modern programs (plant science & biotechnology, animal & environmental biology, biotechnology, and criminology and security studies, among others) making it one of the best and fast growing public universities in Nigeria today.
Prof. U.K. Sandabes’ calm, composed & fair disposition and policies have endered him and his cohesive, brilliant and foresighted management team to all staff of the university. All the academic departments and other units of the university are seamlessly working together for the overall best interest of the students, community, state, nation, and humanity.
The office of the VC is replete with profound experience, academic brilliance and exciting moments. Thanks to the presence of Prof. Fanna Abdulrahim and Prof. Haruna Dlakwa, respectively DVC Admin. and DVC Academic Services. Perfect round pegs in perfect round holes!
The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) Prof Sandabe established, with a highly experienced, brilliant, and workaholic Prof. Yahya Imam as director, and other equally experienced and passionate members, has within a short time propelled the younger upcoming academic staff of the university to be among the best academics in the country, garnering research grants where many have failed.
In the last national research fund (NRF) grant request proposal result, a staff of BOSU was among the few who succeeded.
There are hardly any universities in the country where young academics are exposed to the nitty gritty of initiating, conducting and writing impactful researches, knowing the technicalities involved in extending such findings to industries for mass production, and attracting humonguos research grants like the less than 10 years old BOSU. One day, BOSU may be run with commissions from research commercialisation from patents.
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When a staff member of any institution produces an innovative idea from the university (using laboratories, workshops or even ideas) that attracts funds from interesting body or bodies, a certain percentage legally goes to the coffers of the university where the researcher is a permanent staff. BOSU may soon have so many such researchers.
Recognising, as the visionary leader that he is, and acknowledging the rich history and culture of the state, where his own family is playing pivotal role, with his late great father Waziri of Bama emirate until his sad passing on, he rightly established the centre for Kanuri Ajami and Quranic studies, under an erudite scholar and administrator, Dr. Alh Gana Mustapha, in the university. This centre may soon be the national centre of excellence for Quranic and Islamic studies!
BOSU, this 2023/2024 academic session, under the leadership of Prof. UK Sandabe has already admitted students for seven more programs on approval of the NUC after a resources verification exercise. These courses include medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, radiography, biochemistry, Health Information Management System, and Medical Laboratory Sciences.
These important courses will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the mother University of Maiduguri and others in solving the problem of shortage of medical and allied medical professionals in the state and the country.
There are no scintilla of divisions or toxic camps in the university beyond the normal healthy arguments academics are known for.
He is striving hard within the limited resources at his disposal to make every department fully furnished and functioning without problems. The university environment is clean with the landscape ambiance academic in accordance with global best practices. BOSU is not just partner but offspring of Unimaid, the regional numero uno university in size, history and excellence.
As VC, his doors were open to all on matters progressive to BOSU, staff and students. As he bows out of BOSU as VC gracefully today may Allah continue to guide, bless, elevate, and protect him.
A calm, composed, brilliant and easy going VC, Prof. Umar Kyari Sandabe gracefully, amidst standing ovation, handed over to another extraordinarily calm, brilliant and easy going Acting VC, Prof. Haruna D. Dlakwa.
Prof. Matawalli Ajagana Geidam,
Dept. of Biochemistry
Borno State University, Maiduguri
