FORMER National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Ahmed Makarfi has dispelled the rumour making the rounds that he shunned the award of Doctorate Degree given to him by the Kaduna State University.
Makarfi who was given a honourary doctorate degree in Management alongside with the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi who was awarded a doctorate degree in Unity and Development and Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Yusuf Buratai who was given a doctorate degree in Peace and leadership said he missed the conferment of the award due to flight delayed.
Speaking at the conferment of the doctorate degree on him on Tuesday, the former governor of Kaduna state noted, ‘I was in Portcourt to attend an occasion and at the time I landed at Kaduna international airport, I was told that the occasion(convocation ceremony) was over. You can see now that it was not intentional that I was not at the convocation. I never shun the award.
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He continued, “I thank the University for recognising my contribution. I have two principles in life that whatever I do, I don’t expect to be rewarded. I never do anything and expect something in return. Whatever I do, I expect it should be done well.
Makarfi also commended the governor Elrufai for allowing the University to award him, saying, ‘ if politics had come to play the governor could have objected for the University to award two former PDP governors.
Going down memory lane, Makarfi remarked that, “When I set up a committee for this university, I was extremely criticised that I was wasting the state meagre resources, that Kaduna do not need state university, since we have Kaduna Polytechnic, Ahmadu Bello University and Nigerian Defence Academy, so they said it was a white elephant project. But at last we projected into the future and we have been vindicated.
“How I wish Professor Mikailu is here, I never even recommended any student for admission when it was taking off. I told them to go out and do things based on merit and get back to me whenever the University is in need of any particular thing.
The PDP chieftain continued, “I allowed them to freely function and set up a university that will stand the test of time. You can see that today some elites who have sent their children abroad have today sent their children to this university because of the record of the University.
“So far I have never had any negative news about KASU. Discipline staff and hardworking students.
Earlier when conferring the award on Makarfi, the Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Mohammed Tanko said when Makarfi’s name was presented to the Senate, no member objected to the award.
“In the same vein, when I presented his name to the visitor of the University who is the governor of the state, he gave his approval instantly. Without any hesitation.
Professor Tanko commended the Makarfi for setting up the University and his contribution to the development of the state and the nation.
and then