Sanusi absent at UNIZIK convocation to receive honorary degree

Former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on Thursday failed to attend the 14th convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, where he was billed to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the university.

Sanusi had on Monday been removed as the Emir of Kano by the Kano State government, led by Governor Umaru Ganduje and also barnished to Nasarawa State, to where he was whisked by security agents.

Ironically, on the same day Sanusi was removed as Emir, the Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone was briefing journalists on the choice of Sanusi and two other persons for the conferment of doctorate degrees in various fields.

Esimone while speaking on the choice of Sanusi for the award said, “You do not just choose people for Honorary Doctorate Degree, you have to consider their contribution to education, and particularly to the institution.

“I can tell you that Sanusi has contributed a lot to education in Nigeria and to this institution. It was while he was the governor of the Central Bank that most structures in this institution were erected, through his efforts.”

DAILY POST reports that there were high hopes in the university Thursday morning, that the sacked and exiled former Emir would be at the convocation for the bestowment, just as his picture, and the pictures of two other Honorary award recipients; Mr Innocent Chukwuma and Dr Daniel Chukwudozie adorned every spot in the university.

Mr Innocent Chukwuma, chairman of Innoson Motors, a vehicle manufacturing company and Dr Dozie Chukwudozie, chairman of Dozzy Group were awarded doctor of industrial engineering and doctor of commerce, respectively.

However, there was no representatives for the former Emir and governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi and the proposed honorary doctorate degree to be conferred on him was suspended.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Esimone cleared the air on the absence of Sanusi, saying that the conferment of the honorary degree on Sanusi had been moved to the next convocation ceremony.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Vice Chancellor of the institution for keying into the annual convocation plan of the ministry of education, early in his tenure.

He said, “We congratulate your emergence as the Vice Chancellor, and we promise that we will continue to provide an enabling environment for education to flourish. I reiterate my administration’s resolve to place great premium on education.”

He commended the honorary degree recipients, saying they are men of high standing, who have made great contributions to the economy of the country.

“I call on them to see the honour accorded them as a call for greater service and to seek to work with government to achieve a greater Nigeria.”

READ ALSO: It’s ‘no pay, no work’ -UNILORIN ASUU chairman replies Minister Ngige.