By Ahmed ‘Lateef
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has identified quality education as the antidote to poverty and security challenges confronting the country.
He stated this in his palace when he played host to Alhaji AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin, the Founder and Chancellor of AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin University (AATU), Oke Ogba, Ganmo.
Sulu-Gambari enjoined the proprietor and the authorities of the newly established institution to be more proactive, innovative, focused and consistent in the task of fast tracking the attainment of the goals of establishing A Private Not-For- Profit University for global citizens.
The Emir expressed optimism that the institution would soon attain global status in view of its world class facilities and calibre of man power it has attracted.
Sulu-Gambari praised the foresight of AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin for establishing the university in his ancestral hometown, which according to him, would increase indigent students’ access to world class university education in their localities.
He explained with delight that AATU founder has played a significant role in ensuring socio-economic wellbeing of the people of Ilorin Emirate and enjoined other affluent people of Ilorin Emirate not to relent in using their endowment for socio-economic emancipation of the people of Ilorin Emirate in particular and Kwara State in general.
The Chancellor of the University, AbdulRasaq Abubakar Toyin, accompanied by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Professor Abdul Rasheed Na’allah; and the acting Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Abdulrauf Ambali, had told the monarch that he was at the palace to seek royal blessings and guidance of the foremost monarch, as the institution, according to him, is about to commence full academic session.
He assured that the pieces of advice of the traditional ruler would be put into effective implementation, to fast track the attainment of the noble aims of establishing the institution.
