December 2019 Vol. VII No. 12 A Monthly Publication from the Office of the Vice - C h a n c e l l o r © University of Maiduguri, Nigeria - www.unimaid.edu.ng MISSION STATEMENT The University of Maiduguri shall be an institution dedicated to scholarship and learning in the arts, sciences, humanities and technology, and the development of moral and civic character of all persons who pass through her portals. The University shall facilitate and advance scholarship and learning, especially in the light of her location in the Sahelian environment in the North-Eastern Nigeria, and at the cross-roads of Afri- ca and Middle-Eastern culture. VISION STATEMENT The University of Maiduguri apart from achieving competence in the basic arts and sciences, aims at excel- lence in agriculture, pastoralism, engineering, human and veterinary medicine and information technology as well as in arid zone, trans-Saharan and inter-African peace and strategic studies. The University also aims to promote the development of private and public morality, discipline, accountability and probity, and also international cooperation through participation, research and dissemination of information. All letters should be addressed to: Published by: The Office of the Vice-Chancellor, The Deputy Director, Information Unit, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria Senate Building, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. email: [email protected] email: [email protected] December 2019 Vol. VII No. 12 EDITORIAL DESK In spite of the security challenges that have continued to bedevil the North-east subregion throughout 2019, synergy, collaboration and spirit of partnership with relevant agencies and communities was the life-force that kept University of Maiduguri (Unimaid) on course attracting so many projects that hinge on infrastruc- tural development, scholarships, government appointments and other recognitions by both the local and na- tional communities. During the year under review, Centre for Trans-Saharan Studies was inaugurated as the first Centre for Conservation of Artefact in the whole of northern Nigeria – a feat that continuous to proof the standing of University of Maiduguri as the Centre of Excellence. The year also witnessed the submission of report by the Committee on Funding of Revitalization of Public Universities and research collaboration with UNESCO on Lake Chad, and Rural Electrification Agency on improved electricity supply to the Univer- sity campus respectively. University of Maiduguri witnessed the emergence of yet another visionary leadership that will steer the ad- ministration of the institution for another five years, with the much desired goal-oriented mission and vision that have great potentials of repositioning the institution as a citadel of learning. The symbolic handing over of University of Maiduguri leadership and expressional allegiance of Professor Aliyu Shugaba to vig- orously pursue principles that promote high quality teaching, learning and research were witnessed in a valedictory session of Senate in honour of Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi. The Vice Chancellor Universi- ty of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba, gave a detailed blueprint of “The Unimaid Road Map” in his maiden meeting of Senate in scripts that were loaded with sincere pledges, unwavering determination and promises to serve the University of Maiduguri beyond the call of duty. At long last, the much talked about Borno State University (BOSU) came on board with the appointment of its top key management staff drawn from Unimaid. The year revealed the flag-off and commissioning of projects by His Excellency, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. On a solemn note, we also witnessed the parting of our beloved colleagues, mothers, sisters, brothers and children in the University community within the year. May their souls rest in peace. Professor M. I. Ahmed - Chairman Professor M. L. Mele - Member Dr. Mary Pindar Ndahi - Member Musa Usman - Member Mohammed T. Ahmed - Member Mohammed T. Ahmed - Deputy Director, Information Alh. Suleiman Garba - Chief Photographer Ahmadu Abubakar - Photographer Mohammed M. Lawan - Photographer Bintu Mohammed (Mrs.) - Reporter Rabi U. Yusuf (Mrs.) - Reporter Abdulmumin Kolo Gulani - Reporter Abubakar Mustapha - Reporter Faculty/Directorate Representatives - Reporters Kyari Ali - Circulation Professor M. I. Ahmed - Design, Development & Integration 1 December 2019 Vol. VII No. 12 NEWS he Executive Governor of Borno State, The organisation of the workshop, the Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has said, could not have come at a better time than T observed that the education sector in the now because the government is exploring all ave- State is worst hit during the period of insurgency nues that could lead to engaging the youth right that lasted for almost ten years. from the primary level to secondary as well as tertiary levels to make them abhor the preaching The Governor made the observation during a one- and way of life of the insurgents. He therefore day Project Launch Workshop on “Conflict Based thanked the organizers of the workshop and Programme to Counter Violent Extremism in Borno wished them a successful deliberation. State” held on Wednesday 27th November 2019 at the El-Kanemi Hall of the University. Represented by the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, the Gov- ernor noted that his administration is all out to re- vamp the education sector from the devastating effect it suffered as a result of the insurgency through psychological warfare. This, he further said, will no doubt change the mindset of those who are engaged in this heinous act. The Vice-Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Professor Aliyu Shugaba, highliting the importance of the pro- gramme The Vice-Chancellor University of Maiduguri, Pro- fessor Aliyu Shugaba, in his address at the occa- sion assured international humanitarian agencies that the doors of the University remains open for collaboration and partnership in order to address the challenges of the immediate environment as well as the society at large. The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that the im- The Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, delivering the Borno State Gover- portance of the project launch cannot be overem- nor’s address phasized because insurgency is one of the great- est threats to global peace and (Cont’d on Page 3) 2 December 2019 Vol. VII No. 12 NEWS security in the 21st century, adding that the dreadful (Cont’d from Page 2) activities of Boko Haram insurgents has had devas- tating effect on the population, especially on wom- November and 1st December 2016 with a view to en and children, who are mostly made to become countering violent extremism amongst youths and widows, orphans and displaced. in the society at large. Professor Shugaba, therefore, called for the need The Vice-Chancellor then expressed appreciation to adopt programmes that would counter violent to USAID for approving the grant to fund “Post extremism in our society and vigorously pursue them Conflict Activities to Counter Violent Extremism in as tools for countering the narratives of Boko Ha- Borno State”, a state which he said sadly happens ram and other extremist groups for peace, stability to be the epicenter of Boko Haram insurgency for and progress. over a decade. The Vice-Chancellor recalled that the University of Maiduguri in collaboration with “Search for Com- mon Ground”, a Non-Governmental Organization, The project Coordinator, Professor Adamu Umaru Dzi- vama, delivering his keynote address at the event In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion who is Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio (First also the Chairman Borno State Civil Service Com- row, 3rd from right) flanked on the right by Professor J.D. Amin and Professor M.M. Daura mission, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, noted that con- flicts arise for many reasons, emphasising that ne- glecting core social values is one the major causes with support from the North East Regional Initiative of conflict in the present generation. (NERI) and the United States Agency for Internation- al Development (USAID) organized a Youth Summit on Violent Extremism in the University between 28th (Cont’d on Page 4) 3 December 2019 Vol. VII No. 12 NEWS (Cont’d from Page 3) He added that many parents have abdicated their responsibilities leaving their under-age chil- dren in the hands of other people thereby East region. Borno State, which is the epicenter of the insurgency, he said, necessitated the partner- exposing them to social ills which in the long run ship between the University of Maiduguri in Borno make them vulnerable. Dr. Gubio therefore ad- vised parents to return to the past glory of im- parting core social values in their children in order State and USAID, emphasizing the fact that the to checkmate negative societal influences on them University of Maiduguri saw the need for it to par- and expressed optimism that the workshop will go ticipate in post conflict activities in the state to help a long way in enlightening and positively influenc- rebuild trust and confidence to counter violent ex- ing the participants. tremism. In a goodwill message, the USAID Mission Director Professor Dzivama then noted that the project has to Nigeria, Mr. Stephen Haykin, who was repre- two broad objectives: Firstly, to counter violent sented by Mrs Denise O’ Toole via Skype from extremism through teaching of Conflict Based Pro- Abuja, commended the University of Maiduguri grams (CBP) at lower basic, intermediate and ad- for hosting the crucial workshop and stated that vanced levels of education with the overall goal of violent extremism is a dangerous trend across the infusing such syllabus in the formal school system, globe which can be combated through promoting and secondly, to assess the effectiveness of teach- education. ing in the most common language of the environ- Mrs O’Toole noted that the USAID mission will al- ment on the learning of children at lower basic ways be a willing collaborating partner to the levels, before mainstreaming them for learning in University in promoting a responsive society for English language from primary four in formal the betterment of all.