By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos—President Muhammadu Buhari has urged tertiary institutions in the country to join hands with him in the fight against corruption, so youths could imbibe the virtues of truth, honesty and trust before completing their studies.

President Buhari also charged universities in the country to introduce courses that would teach moral and leadership roles to serve as standard for fighting corruption, adding that doing that would ensure perfect governance structures at all levels.

Buhari

He further charged vice chancellors of public and private universities as well as heads of other higher institutions to key into his administration’s policy of ensuring high standard in tertiary institutions.

The President gave the charge in Jos, Plateau State, during the combined 27th and 28th convocation of the University of Jos, which also coincided with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the university.

The President was represented by the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie.

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, commended the institution for its excellence and exceptional performances over the years, describing the university as one of the best in Nigeria.

Also, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, who congratulated the institution for its achievements, stated the University of Jos had sufficiently demonstrated justification for its establishment, having produced scholars that had made their marks at national and international levels.

He approved the purchase and donation of four security patrol vehicles for rapid response and coverage in the institution.

Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, pointed out the reasons for the successes the university had recorded over the years, stressing one of them was the emphasis the institution placed on providing high quality teaching, linked to researches.

“At 40 years since its establishment, the university has produced over 150,000 graduatesfrom its regular and part time undergraduate programmes,’’ he said.

Former Chief of General Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma, who was conferred with Honorary Doctor of Science Degree by the university, called on the federal government and people of Nigeria to make education a national passion and principal pursuit.

According to him, “most of our national problems will be solved if we make education our highest priority.”

Meanwhile the university also awarded Doctoral Degrees (Honoris Causa) to its Chancellor, Oba David Folagbade Olateru Olagbebi III, the Olowo of Owo and Prof. Toyin Falola in recognition of their excellence and services to humanity.