The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu on Thursday, 13th August, 2020 commissioned Bayero University, Kano’s new world class Senate Building which was named after the ninth Vice Chancellor and current Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed.
The magnificent new senate building was described by a Professor of Architecture as “a linear expressive modernist structure with traditional inflexions. The compartmentalization is reflective of contemporary tendencies. On the whole it raises a critical dialogue in the content of Nigeria’s contemporary Architecture.”
The Minister, who was represented by the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede congratulated the Council, Senate, Management, staff and students for having one of the most beautiful edifice in the country’s tertiary institutions. He said the secret of BUK’s rise to stardom was the harmonious working relationship among past and present management staff, saying that it has become a model that other universities in the country must follow. “You can’t see a former Vice Chancellor making any derogatory remarks against the incumbent one. It is only in BUK that former vice chancellors will be working in tandem with the present one for the betterment of the system,” he said.
On naming the building after Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, the Minister said it was apt and reasonable owing to his unquantifiable contributions to the transformation of the University.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bello welcomed all members to the new Senate building, saying that the idea to erect the structure started as a dream. He thanked the almighty God for giving him the strength and capacity to complete the project initiated by his predecessor, Professor Rasheed. Prof. Yahuza said that “the University’s secret lies with its collective decision making and harmonious working relationship among all stakeholders including those who worked outside and came back. They are always ready to give their best to the University,” he said. The Vice Chancellor said he thought the project couldn’t be completed in 20 years but God has made it possible to be completed. He said all the offices were furnished. He expressed optimism that the hand over with the new vice chancellor would take place in the new building.
Prof Bello expressed appreciation to all those who contributed in one way or another for the completion of the project, citing the former Vice Chancellor, Prof Rasheed, Aminu Sulaiman Goro, members of University management, UYK Company and the Architecture that designed the project.
Two former Vice Chancellors, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Umar and Professor Sani Zahraddeen showered their encomiums on the new Senate building. They said that the University was put under higher pedestal by the successive administrations, noting that it was known ever since for judiciously utilizing funds allocated to it for meaningful projects. They also commended the management for its decision to name the building after Professor Rasheed.
In his remark, Chairman House Committee on Education and Services, Honourable Aminu Suleiman Goro said the project was a manifestation of Bayero University’s gigantic steps to set the pace in the country, saying that as an alumnus he was proud to be associated with his alma mater. He challenged the new VC to follow the footsteps of the Professor Rasheed and Prof Bello, who modernized the University and sustained it respectively, pledging to continue to support the University in whatever way possible.
In his response, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Rasheed said from 1977 to date, the successive vice chancellors have laid a formidable foundations that has transformed Bayero University and elevated its status in the country. He said they had painted the University with picture of continuity. The ES NUC commended the Vice Chancellor, Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello for completing the project which he had initiated and expressed appreciation that the building was named after him.
According to Prof. Rasheed “BUK is a continuum. Between 1964-1976 and 1977 to 1995 there was clear continuity. In 1995 to 1999 a new chapter was written with the emergence of the late Prof. Musa Abdullahi as the Vice Chancellor,” adding that there was something infectious about BUK, “It defines us, I’m eager to come back to continue to teach. I am honoured. I am greatful to Almighty Allah and to my teachers.” Prof. Rasheed insisted that the honour should be shared by all those who worked with him “especially my small group who worked with me day and night to make all these achievement.” We met over 200 times at weekend and this is why I do not deserve this honour alone.
On the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, the Executive Secretary charged him to do his best and continue with the tradition of setting the University in the right attitude.
Prof Rasheed further commended the Chairman House Committee on Tertiary Education, Honourable Aminu Sulaiman Goro for consistently assisting the University.
Earlier a couple of other buildings were commissioned which included the Mechatronics Department which was commissioned by the Chairman House Committee on Education and Services, Hon. Aminu Suleiman Fagge, the Centre for Economic, Social and Population Research (CESPOR) Research Centre by Prof. Abubakar Rasheed who also laid the foundation of a new female hostel which is donated by a charity foundation owned by a Contractor Usman Yahaya Kansila.