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Aliko Dangote Hails IBB: ‘You’re the Architect of Private Sector in Nigeria’

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

… Donates N8bn to Presidential Library, Pledges N2bn Annually Until Completion

The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has praised former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, for implementing policies that liberated the private sector in Nigeria during his regime.

KANO FOCUS reports that Dangote made this statement on Thusday during the unveiling of the book “A Journey in Service”, the autobiography of the former Head of State. The event also served as a fundraiser for the IBB Presidential Library.

Africa’s wealthiest man donated N8 billion to the IBB Presidential Library, to be paid at a rate of N2 billion annually over the four-year period allocated for the project’s completion. He further pledged that if the project extends beyond this timeframe, he would continue to donate N2 billion annually until it is finished.

Dangote, who is the largest employer of labour after the government, commended Babangida for his transformative policies that encouraged Nigerian investors to play prominent roles in the economy. He particularly highlighted the abolition of import licences, which helped stimulate domestic industries. These reforms, among others, ensured that Nigeria now has more private sector involvement than any other country in Africa. This shift, he said, led to a contribution of 85% of the country’s GDP from the private sector, while the government contributes just 15%.

“Your Excellency, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all you have done for Nigeria. Many may not realise that you were the architect of the private sector in Nigeria. Anyone in the private sector who has achieved prominence today owes it to you, as you provided us with the necessary licences. In the past, we used to struggle to obtain licences through intermediaries, including Indians,” he said.

Dangote recalled how Babangida’s policies facilitated the growth of Nigerian businesses, enabling them to thrive. “Your Excellency, in 1986, you abolished the requirements for import licences, and it was because of that decision that we were able to reach the highest levels of growth. I recall a day when you granted almost 30 of us banking licences. You also instructed five Nigerians to pay N1 million each for oil blocs.

“Your Excellency, I could continue to list all the reforms you introduced that liberated the private sector, which is why Nigeria has more private sector involvement than any other country in Africa. It is only in Nigeria where government contribution to GDP is a mere 15%, with the remainder being driven by the private sector,” he added, while expressing hope that future Nigerian leaders will adopt similar policies for the betterment of the country. “I want to thank you once again, and I am confident that future leaders will continue to follow your example, working closely with the private sector.”

On his contribution to the IBB Presidential Library project, Dangote said, “Your Excellency, based on what I have observed, I believe this project will require at least four years to complete. I would like to contribute N2 billion each year for the next four years, amounting to N8 billion in total. Should the project extend beyond four years, I will continue to contribute N2 billion annually.”

Other prominent Nigerians also pledged contributions to the library’s construction. The Chief Launcher and Founder of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, donated N5 billion, while the co-Chief Launcher and Founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, donated N3 billion.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, remarked that by writing his memoir, Babangida had not only contributed to making history but also to documenting it. However, he cautioned the former military Head of State to expect varied reactions to the book, including good, bad, and ugly ones.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan also praised Babangida for the launch of his memoir and stated that Nigeria’s history would be incomplete without the story of the former Head of State.

During the book’s review, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo quoted Babangida as saying that late Moshood Abiola, who contested the 1993 presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, won the election. However, Babangida described the annulment of the election as the most difficult decision of his life.

“There was no doubt in my mind; MKO Abiola won the election. He satisfied all the requirements,” Babangida was quoted as saying.

The former military leader noted that while the annulment of the election remained a defining moment in his career, he took solace in the fact that former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously honoured Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic title, a recognition reserved for Nigerian presidents.

 

 

 

 

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Dangote donates N15billion to Kano varsity, offers Automatic jobs to best graduating students  

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

Group President of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has announced the donation of a whooping N15billion to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil (ADUSTECH), Kano State. 

 

KANO FOCUS reports that. Alhaji Dangote, who is also the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) was reappointed the Chancellor of the University.

 

In his speech at the 5th convocation ceremony, he said the University must be repositioned to lead the race of producing cutting edge research and highly skilled manpower that meets the requirements of market demands, industries and real problem solvers in the Nigerian society.

He said: “It is in this vein that I wish to use this opportunity to announce the launch of the 5-year Development plan which I envision for this institution.

 

“Over the next 5 years, we will commit the sum of N15 billion to the following projects: the design and construction of additional student hostels; the design and construction of a world class Engineering Lab; the design and construction of a world class multipurpose computer lab -open to all students of the institution which will also be equipped with 24-hour internet access to support academic research and the installation of a mini-solar plant to support access to power on campus.”

 

He added that: “We also undertake to design and construct a befitting Senate building that will house the administration of this institution. Finally, we will also reserve post-NYSC employment slots for the best performing graduates in Engineering and other related courses that form part of our areas of interest at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Plant and Dangote Cement Plants.”

 

Alhaji Dangote said the funding for such an institution places a significant burden on the government, which is why, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, it was able to offset the University’s electricity bill to ease the strain on their finances.

 

“Additionally, to support the infrastructural drive of the University, we built two blocks of Male and Female Hostels with 500 bed spaces each.

“We also ensured the availability of electricity in a specialized University like ours for continuous teaching, learning and research, via the connection of the University to a 33KVA line, and provided a 2.5 MVA transformer and six (6) step-down transformers. This, I believe, has gone a long way in solving the energy needs of the University.”

 

Dangote therefore congratulated the vision of those who dreamt of the institution 25 years ago.

“An institution that began with a student population of 88, today has a population of more than 21,877 students and this combined convocation has a total of about 18,000 graduates. This is indeed a milestone,” he added.

 

In his address, Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf of Kano State commended Alhaji Dangote for contributing financially and morally towards the development of the University, adding that, “all of us will continue to remember you as a visionary and African illustrious industrialist.”

 

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Musa Tukur Yakasa said 18,000 students were being celebrated during the convocation ceremony, having graduated from the university in the last ten years to date.

 

Business mogul Chief Arthur Eze, founder of Max Air and billionaire Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, Senior Advocate Ahmad Adeniyi Raji, and oil magnate and founder of Amasco Oil Al-Mustapha Ado bagged honorary doctorate degrees.

 

The VC said the University has recorded significant strides in its academic journey to greater heights, including program accreditation and a mathematical digital model designed by a university product, Mahmoud Mubarak, for measuring deforestation density.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mangal sponsors Hernia, Hydrocele surgeries for 12,300 vulnerable patients

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Over 12,300 vulnerable patients have benefited from free Hernia and Hydrocele surgeries sponsored by philanthropist Alhaji Dahiru Mangal.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that Malam Husaaini Kabir, a member of the Mangal Foundation Board of Trustees, confirmed this in Katsina during the launch of the second quarter exercise.

 

Kabir explained that the foundation has been conducting free surgeries and treatments every quarter since its establishment in 2013.

 

He stated that between 500 and 600 vulnerable patients benefit from free hernia and hydrocele surgeries in the state each quarter.

 

“This initiative does not only help people in Katsina town; it also supports residents of villages within the state and neighbouring regions.

 

“Our goal is to reduce the financial burden of healthcare for vulnerable individuals who struggle to meet basic needs,” he said.

 

Kabir urged other organisations and philanthropists to support similar initiatives, particularly to assist the government’s health efforts.

 

He stressed the importance of collective action in tackling healthcare challenges in underserved communities.

 

Some beneficiaries praised the initiative and encouraged government, private organisations, and wealthy individuals to follow suit.

 

They stated that they had endured their conditions for years but could not afford the surgeries due to economic hardship.

 

The foundation also provides free eye treatment and surgery for vulnerable patients in the state.

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BUK Achieves 100% Success in 2024 NUC Accreditation: 53 Programmes Fully Approved

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Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has recorded a landmark academic achievement following the release of the results from the 2024 accreditation exercise conducted by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

In what has been described as a resounding endorsement of the University’s academic standards and quality assurance framework, all 53 academic programmes presented for evaluation were granted full accreditation or accredited status.

The accreditation, conducted between October and November 2024, covered undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across key faculties including Administration, Agriculture, Allied Health Sciences, Arts, Computing, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Social Sciences.

According to a statement signed by the University Registrar, Haruna Aliyu, the development affirms BUK’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, curriculum innovation, and sustained infrastructural and faculty development.

“This milestone is a testimony to the quality of education and institutional governance at BUK. It validates our position as one of Nigeria’s premier universities,” the statement said.

Key Highlights:

Administration Faculty recorded full accreditation across 13 programmes including the Master of Accounting and Financial Management, MBA, and Islamic Banking & Finance.

Agriculture, Medicine, Pharmacy, and all Engineering programmes received full accreditation, reinforcing the University’s strength in science-based disciplines.

• The Education Faculty had a sweeping success with 14 programmes earning full accreditation.

• Courses in Arts, Social Sciences, Computing, and Science were all rated “Full” by the NUC.

This success is more than academic—it means that all current and prospective students of these programmes can be assured that their education meets the highest national standards. It also ensures the continued recognition of their certificates for employment, postgraduate studies, and participation in national youth service.

Strengthening Nigeria’s Higher Education Landscape

The Registrar expressed appreciation to the National Universities Commission for its rigorous evaluation process and acknowledged the dedication of BUK’s Deans, Heads of Departments, academic staff, and support personnel who worked tirelessly to meet and surpass the benchmarks.

“This achievement is not an end but a motivation to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge, research, and community engagement. We remain committed to nurturing leaders and innovators who will contribute meaningfully to Nigeria and the world,” he added.

As BUK celebrates this landmark, the University is inviting stakeholders, prospective students, parents, and the global academic community to partner in its journey of growth and excellence.

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