Jonathan lauds ABU ar 50

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended Ahmadu Bello University for meeting the dreams and aspirations of its founding fathers.
Jonathan spoke on Saturday at the university’s convocation ground in Zaria, Kaduna State during a special convocation ceremony and launching of N50 billion Phase II Development Fund of the University.
President Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said that the university has every cause to celebrate its golden jubilee for in the last 50 years it has graduated hundreds of thousands of Nigerians and foreigners who today occupy various positions in the country.
He said: “I am happy to note that the University has among its alumni past and present governors, ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, captains of industry, technocrats, scientists and the clergy.
“I cannot fail to mention that my predecessor, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, and my Vice, Architect Namadi Sambo, also passed through the four walls of this University.”
The President, who expressed his delight for being part of the historic occasion of the university’s golden jubilee, stated that 50 years in the life of a university called for stock-taking and self-assessment of its accomplishments in meeting with the vision and mission of its founding fathers who had a vision of a world-class university and a beacon of democratic ideals.
“I make bold to say that the Ahmadu Bello University has not disappointed its founding fathers.” President Jonathan said.
Jonathan lamented the low absorption capacity of Nigerian universities, where barely a quarter of students seeking admission into universities were absolved.
He stated that despite the increase in the number of universities in the country, the demand for university education has continued to soar.
The President further stated that in his administration’s quest to meet world standard in university enrollment, it has established new universities and there was consideration for the establishment of mega universities with high enrollment capacity similar to those of Cairo, Pretoria, Mexico and Argentina with current students population of 200,000, 250,000, 314,557 and 316,050 respectively.