By Ebele Orakpo

Former Vice-President and Founder, American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, has said that Federal Government should regulate, not own schools.

Speaking on the lingering ASUU strike at the 2013 Homecoming at the AUN in Yola recently, Atiku said “I don’t think the Federal Government should own schools; they should only regulate. I’ve tried to push for more government funding and we need more teachers’ training and better infrastructure. My blueprint for education in Nigeria was given to every state. Someone with the vision, courage, and insight needs to fix education in Nigeria.”

At the occasion, Abubakar was inducted into AUN Alumni Association, thus joining other renowned personalities, including Nobel prize-winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African President, Jacob Zuma, former European Union Ambassador, David MacRae, and celebrated journalist, Charlayne Hunter-Gault in the membership of the association. He also told the alumni how they can use their AUN education to benefit the nation and world.

Reflecting on AUN’s beginnings, Atiku said “When it started, AUN was like something that would never happen. We started with the North campus, and now we have the main campus. The experience and education you all have gained here is the best you can get anywhere. It can take you places.”

Urging the youths to be focused, Atiku said “When I was young, I created a plan for my life. I wanted to be at a certain place by the time I reached 40. I stuck to that plan and almost made it- if not for politics. The most important thing is knowing what you want to do. You need to plan your life.

“The truth is 25 to 40 per cent of Nigeria’s population is between the ages of 25 and 40. You all should be working with these young people to collaborate on projects. Find people with experience and bring the ideas to the table.”

AUN President Ensign, also speaking to the alums, encouraged them to make their contribution to their communities and country and discussed the possibility of establishing business incubators at AUN.

A 2011 AUN graduate, Okechukwu Anyanwu, spoke of a leadership curriculum which he and some partners are developing for use in Nigerian schools.

The Coordinator of AUN Alumni Relations, Abubakar Radda, said that he hoped the interactive session would be the first of many more to come. He advised the alums to ask as many questions as possible and make suggestions that will lead to improving the university and the nation.