Gov. Babangana Zulum of Borno has stressed the need for faith-based institutions in the country to produce graduates with spiritual and moral characters that could bail Nigeria out of its current moral decadence of corruption and social vices.

Zulum stated this on Tuesday while delivering the 20th anniversary lecture of the first Islamic faith based university in Nigeria, the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin with the theme, “Two decades of excellence: Al-Hikmah university’s impact on scholarship and educational development in Nigeria.”

He urged Nigerian youth to imbibe the culture of humility, honesty and hardwork to move the nation forward.

Gov. Zulum, who said he was a son of a peasant farmer and a commercial driver that was plying Maiduguri-Okene-Ibadan roads, advised youth to imbibe culture of respect for parents, sacrifice for humanity and love for hard work.

He added that short cut to anything in life usually ends in regret and disaster, adding that, “hardwork is good but humility takes you far in life”.

“Hard work is one thing. But humility is the best. When I finished my Masters degree, I went to my village to go to farm with my parents.

“I could have remained in Maiduguri wearing babanrigan, but because I have to be obedient to my parents that is why I am what I am today”, he said.

In his address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Noah Yusuf, advised the graduating students of the institution to be good ambassadors of the university.

The Vice-Chancellor advised the graduating students to develop a growth mindset and learn to bounce back from setbacks and failures through resilience.

He tasked the graduands to demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of their life, including their career, relationships and online presence.

He said that the university is presenting the 2, 211 graduands in the 14th convocation, which is the highest in it history with 47 bagging first class.

He congratulated all the graduating students across programmes, their parents and relatives, who were there to celebrate them.

According to him, consider entereneuship as available career option, and take calculated risks to achieve your goals.

“Practice the entrepreneurship skills which you have acquired from the university and remember that the as Al-hikmah University graduates, endeavour to be employer of labour and not job seekers”, the VC said.

Also speaking, the former governor of Katsina state, Alhaji Aminu Masari, described the founder of Al-Hikmah University, Dr. Abdulraeem Oladimeji as a great contributor to quality education in Nigeria.

The two-term former governor said that Oladimeji’s efforts at prioritizing education in Nigeria have contributed meaningful impact in the lives of Nigerian youths.

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