By Murtala Muhammad
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to increase support for the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), Bauchi State, to enable it to fulfil its mandate as a specialised institution.
The President gave the directive at the university’s Maiden Convocation Ceremony in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, where 50 pioneer students graduated.
President Tinubu said increased investment in the institution would strengthen its infrastructure, research and academic development to enable it to produce competent healthcare professionals capable of competing globally and saving lives.
The President, who served as the Visitor to the university, congratulated the pioneer graduates and urged them to apply their knowledge and skills towards improving the health and well-being of Nigerians.
Represented by the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, President Tinubu charged the graduates to uphold professionalism, integrity and high ethical standards wherever they find themselves.
He said his administration recognised that financial difficulties prevented many Nigerians from accessing tertiary education, hence the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to improve access to higher education.
In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, acknowledged the Federal Government’s investments in education and healthcare in the state, despite political differences between his administration and the Federal Government.
Governor Mohammed pledged his administration’s continued support for federal investments in the state, saying he would complement such efforts to strengthen development and improve competitiveness.
The Vice-Chancellor of FUHSA, Professor Bala Mohammed Audu, announced the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on former Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, and the university’s Chancellor, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mohammed Mera, in recognition of their contributions to the institution.
Established in 2021, the university began operations with five academic programmes and has expanded its offerings, while its workforce has grown from 239 at inception to more than 800.
Radio Nigeria reports that three female graduates obtained First Class honours among the 50 pioneer graduands, prompting Governor Bala Mohammed to announce a postgraduate scholarship up to PhD level for the outstanding graduate, Sa’adatu Mustapha Beli.