National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Daniel Ayantoye
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor AbdulRasheed Na’Allah has said that Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari CFR is worthy of Mr. President’s choice as the new Chief of Staff, noting that the clear-headedness and global thinking needed to navigate through the country’s present travails make the engagement of the international diplomat an excellent choice by the President.
Prof. Na’Allah said this in a statement made available to CAMPUS FOCUS on Tuesday, 19th May, 2020.
The UNIABUJA VC commended President Muahammadu Buhari on the appointment of the Ilorin Prince ,an acclaimed successful academic and international diplomat who had been a global citizen since 1984 when he was appointed the nation’s External Affairs Minister by Buhari during his first coming as Nigeria’s Head of State, assuring that Prof. Gambari was not a novice in governance and international best practices, and that his appointment would further help in positioning the Buhari administration for better service delivery to Nigeria and Nigerians.
The Vice-Chancellor observed that as the nation grapples with COVID-19 global pandemic and plans for post-COVID economic recovery, the global academic pundit and diplomat would bring to bear his wealth of experience in giving quality advice to Mr. President at this crucial time, assuring that Prof. Gambari would justify the confidence reposed in him by Mr. President in helping to lessen the burden of governance.
The new CoS appointment, he stated, would also help add fillip to Nigeria’s international exposure and linkages that would assist government in recovery plans in the post-COVID world, through his quality advice and support in governance process.
Prof. Na’Allah recalled the appointment of the new CoS as the pioneer Chancellor of Kwara State University in 2013, while he was pioneer Vice-Chancellor at that university and the robust engagements with Prof. Gambari which enabled the university to weather the storm and survived stoppage of subvention for the university over a five-year period.
According to Na’Allah, the new CoS, as the pioneer Chancellor of the Kwara State University, contributed in no small measure to the academic stability achieved by the Institution as he was always there to give his best towards ensuring the attainment of the world-class vision of the University’s founding fathers.
Prof. Na’Allah urged the new CoS not to be distracted, and to give professional and moral loyalty to Mr. President as he commences the arduous task of helping his principal to fulfill his presidential mandate.
Na’Allah therefore, felicitated with Maimartaba, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, and joined him along with the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, all Nigerians and indeed the rest of the world in congratulating the legend and incorruptible leader on his well-deserved appointment, wishing him Allah’s protection and guidance in his new task.
