In Togo, MAAUN President Tasks African Private Varsities, Stakeholders on Quality Education in Africa
Musa Abdullahi Sufi, Lome, Togo, Africa.
AREWA AGENDA – The President and Founder of the Association of Private Universities in Africa, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo attended the 8th Convocation of IHEARI University, Lome Togo as a Guest Speaker. He attended the event in company of his entourage from Maryam Abacha American University (MAAUN) Conglomerates, Franco-British University team and delegates from Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation.
While delivering his speech, Gwarzo who is also the president and founder of MAAUN engaged the dignitaries, students and guests during his powerful and inspiring presentation towards improving quality education and development by private universities in Africa.
Professor Gwarzo delivered a speech titled “Impact of Unionism Among African Private Universities.” He revealed the importance of the private universities in Africa in shaping the educational delivery, coordination in ensuring delivery of quality education to Africa for innovation and creativity in promoting and achieving sustainable development. He made the presentation both in French and English.
The Internationalization Guru opened his presentation with a history of founding the Association of Private Universities in Africa with its headquarter in Kano State, Nigeria. According to him, “the Association of Private Universities of Africa was founded by a young Man from Sabon Layin Kara, Gwarzo Local Government of Kano State (that is Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo. And The Association will help us to speak with one voice in addressing the challenges facing the sector across Africa and beyond”.
He gave an example of current challenges faced by Benin republic English Private Universities and the union efforts to address the situation to help improve access to quality education for all.
“I wrote a letter to the president of Benin republic against banning Private Universities due to irregularities and got a response of acceptance to hold the meeting. In the letter, I requested for a high-level engagement and development of strategies to address the issues as Banning institution in UNESCO law is like killing millions of people”.
Professor Gwarzo further advises the IHERIS university “ I am advising the IHERIS university to do more and more in sustaining English programs in Togo. Because university education now has become business as many students and parents are looking for universities where they are selling certificates and this is very dangerous”. He added.
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He gave references to MAAUN’s track record of successes which he said are due to the university leadership and management, sustained innovations, commitments, prudence, consistency, hard work and accountability while doing the very best not to allow irregularities to interfere.
“That is why in West African Private Universities, Maryam Abacha American University is leading in all the ranking that include quality assurances, personalities and in fact in Paris ranking MAAUN is ahead of over 300 universities all related to believing and standing in quality,” the President said.
He further highlighted that, “Private Universities don’t need to sell certificates to get more money, but with quality standards and good learning systems, you will have more students and credibility.
Because it is sad to find out that parents and students also collaborate and buy the certificates in some of the private universities and the end, the students cannot defend the certificates. Although the irregularities found in some of the Private Universities are also found in some public universities. That is why the union will work closely with the government to ensure all challenges are addressed,” he lamented further.
Professor Gwarzo, called on all Private Universities including Togo to be very bold to avoid irregularities in the private university system.
He urged the graduating students to be more creative and innovative for them to be more productive in society. The key speaker Prof Gwarzo gave example about himself to inspire the students.
“I founded MAAUN at the age of 29 years old and the youngest president of a private university in all Sub Saharan Africa. Today Maryam Abacha university has a good reputation because of quality assurance in addition to academic approvals from American and French governments, United Nations etc”.
In his closing speech, the president general of the association wished the university and the students the best of luck.
Other activities that marked the day include the second presentation by Dr. Dauda Lawal Dare on the importance of youth empowerment. The event also featured entertainment, award presentations including honorary degrees, undergraduates and awards.
Earlier, Dr Muhammad Adamu Wakili who is the registrar and Chairman advisory council of the university gave an opening remark followed by other distinguished officials. The event was held on 30th October 2021 in Togo’s national capital, Lome.
Musa Abdullahi Sufi
Wrote from Lome, Togo.
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young writers/journalist from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives
