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BUK students reject increment of hostel fees, other charges
By Nazifi Dawud
Students of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) have rejected the increment of hostel and administrative fees for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
KANO FOCUS had reported exclusively that the university senate approved the increase in its 378th meeting as announced in the BUK official bulletin.
The Director of Examinations, Admissions and Records of the university, Amina Umar Abdullahi stated that hostel fees for Nigerian postgraduate students has been increased from N12,150 to N25,150.
Mrs Abdullahi said international postgraduate students will pay N80,000 in the 2019/2020 session instead of N60,000.
‘Not consulted’
However in a letter sent to KANO FOCUS on Saturday, the Students Union Government (SUG) and four other student unions dismissed the new charges, saying they were not consulted before the increment was effected.
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“Reference to Bayero University, Kano bulletin XXXVIII No. 51, Friday 6th December 2019, on the approved upward review of students’ accommodation and other administrative charges by the school senate, the above stated bodies were not consulted on the matter before approval. Therefore it is on the above note that we will like to state our stand on the issue thus:
“1. On the issue of hostel fees increment, we hereby reject the increment completely.
“2. On the issue of administrative charges, we also reject it.
“3. On the issue of increments on departmental associations charges, we reject and we also seek clarification for the two hundred naira claimed to be deducted as some departmental associations confirm that they only receive one hundred naira per student as against the claimed two hundred naira.
“In conclusion, we strongly hope our resolution will be fully considered as we await your friendly response from now to Friday December 13, 2019,” read the letter, which was addressed to BUK’s Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello.
The letter was jointly signed by the SUG President Sadi Garba, Amir MSSN BUK, Luqman Usman Aliyu, Speaker SRA-BUK Abubakar Magaji Dawud, President ASOBUK, Fakhrudeen Auwal Taheer and the SUG’s Secretary-General Mahmoud Balarabe Yazid.
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
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