The long anticipated visit of President Jacob Zuma of South Africa has come and gone.  Prior to this visit, visible arrangements had taken place all over campus for several days and nights. President Zuma was in AUN on December 10 to receive an honorary doctorate degree bestowed on him by the University.

The award is in recognition of his role as well as those of his government to the development of education in South Africa and humanity in general. From the moment he walked into the Community Hall followed by a retinue of guests and dignitaries, everyone was up on their feet to catch a glimpse of the man who governs Nelson Mandela’s country.

He was eclipsed by two prominent citizens of Nigeria – Vice President Namadi Sambo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar – who also graced the auspicious occasion. The excitement in the faces of the crowd did not diminish at his arrival in the Community Hall. Rather, it grew with the passing of time as the event was just gathering momentum.

Unarguably, the occasion will be the talk for quite some time that the President of South Africa was in AUN. In presenting the Special Guest and recipient of the university’s honorary doctorate, AUN President, Dr. Margee Ensign, spoke in glowing terms about President Zuma.

Beginning with his humble beginning through the thick of apartheid South Africa, she said the life of Mr. Jacob Zuma was one of toil, noting that he endured through the minority rule to true democracy.

“The man we honor today has not had an easy life or an easy journey,” she said. “His life has required bravery and dedication in the face of violence and suffering. It required self-sacrifice and perseverance; it required faith and in the end, his bravery, his perseverance and his faith was justified.”  The life of Zuma as well as his dedication to democracy and to education, she said, reflects the goals of the American University of Nigeria.

Furthermore, Dr. Ensign observed that his life and values are those AUN will have its students emulate. “To honor him,” she said, “we bestow upon him our highest recognition, an honorary doctorate degree of philosophy, honoris causa – a degree that honors his outstanding contributions to humanity.”

Describing the event as an episode on “a very special day in the life of AUN,” Dr. Ensign used the opportunity to announce that AUN graduated its first set in 2009 and has continued “to provide a new education for a new Nigeria.” With facilities and projects such as cutting-edge technology, wireless internet, e-books revolution and a digital library, AUN she said, remained committed to improving the lives of people in the community.

Ever since its founding, AUN has continued to earn the generosity of its founder whose life she admits, “Parallels” that of Mr. Jacob Zuma. “Like the man (Mr. Jacob Zuma) we have come to honor,” she said, “his Excellency (Atiku Abubakar) has spent much of his life and his own personal resources; dedicated to the improvement of his country and the betterment of its people for the public good rather than for private gain.”

The organization and wave of development around the campus, she said, were proof to the vision and commitment of Atiku Abubakar to “furthering education that focuses on solving society’s problem.” “Here at AUN,” and building on that vision she continued: “We seek to make a better world, a world that is more prosperous, more just, more equitable, more humane and more secure.”

She said both Zuma and Atiku have not only promoted education in public office, but also donated their own private funds “to raising the educational standards of their country.” “The man we are here to honor today, like our founder, has given his life to precisely these goals and with great success.”

She remarked that the continent of Africa which was hardly discussed outside of its problems overseas was now experiencing a renaissance in economy and development. South Africa, she observed, was in the lead of this modernization.

“We are witnessing an African renaissance in economic growth and development in governance, and in human security,” she said. “Our guest today is a great part of that African renaissance, and has been at the forefront of one of Africa’s greatest and most uplifting and most hopeful stories.”

Speaking further, she noted that South Africa having emerged through the dark days of apartheid, now educates its citizens at a “rate not even dreamed of a few short years ago.” Today, she said, South Africa “is planning its democratic future; confident of its people and students.”

“This,” she further mentioned, “is what celebrating.” The crowd applauded as she further gave room for the investiture proper. As she invited the South African President to come forward for his award, several flashes from nearby cameras swept through the stage in appreciation of that historic AUN moment.

“The American University of Nigeria honors President Jacob Zuma, a freedom fighter whose life bears witness to the human desire for democracy, freedom and education,” Dr. Ensign read out a citation. Beaming with smiles, President Zuma received his award with an official symbol worn around his neck, and designating his new award of AUN’s honorary doctorate degree. The crowd applauded.

In his acceptance speech, President Zuma remarked that he was humbled by the gesture coming from “one of the reputable tertiary institutions in Nigeria.” The award, he said, not only recognized South Africa and its role on the continent of Africa but the world in general.

“I am aware that the honor I am receiving is the highest that a university can bestow on an individual and I heartily thank you for that,” he said. “This honor,” he continued, “is without doubt reflective of the cordial relations we continue to share with the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He said Nigeria and South Africa shared a common vision of a better continent and mentioned that higher education institutions like AUN were equal partners in the expedition toward development. “Institutions of higher learning are not just producers of knowledge; they are also our light to guide us in the journey,” he said.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the American University of Nigeria is one amongst our higher education institutions that we can count on in this regard.”

President Zuma lamented the absence of any African institution in the top 100 universities in the world, and observed that the criteria arrived at deciding the best may have been ideologically based. While calling on African academics in the Diaspora to help advance the development of the African continent, he also encouraged African leaders to continue to attract the intelligentsia of African origin back to help develop the continent.

President Zuma extolled AUN’s founder Atiku Abubakar, for his vision and contribution to development in Nigeria. He described Atiku as being among a few personalities with immense generosity in them.

“I thank my friend and brother, Atiku Abubakar for the visible contribution he has made, demonstrating his patriotism; his love for the people of Nigeria and the people of Africa. He is one of the few business people who use his benefits to benefit others,” he said.

Also at the occasion was the Vice President of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi Sambo who commended AUN and its founder for the achievements recorded thus far within six years of establishment. “I am particularly proud of the achievements of this university within a short time of its existence,” he said, “and I congratulate former Vice president Atiku Abubakar for having the vision to establish this citadel of learning.”

Considering those challenges faced in the course of life, Sambo said President Zuma’s rise to the Presidency in South Africa showed that anything was possible so long as the human mind was determined to excel. “The mind is a terrible thing to waste,” he said.

“I want citadels of learning that will prepare our youths for the knowledge-worker aimed at imparting into them not just academic knowledge, but skills and personal discipline that will enable them marry intelligence with character.”

He further assured that the government of Nigeria will continue to strive towards promoting the goals of education in the vision 20:2020 plan.

The occasion that night witnessed hoards of delegation from South Africa, the United States of America as well as all the political class in Nigeria. Among those present at the event include: HE Admiral Murtala Nyako, the Governor of Adamawa state, Barrister Bala Ngilari, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa state; Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa, the Lamido Adamawa; Senator Jonathan Zwingina, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, the former Governor of Kaduna State; Mrs. Chinwe Obaji, the former Minister of Education; Otunba Johnson Fasawe, Senator Abubakar Mahdi, Prof. Musa Yakubu, Dr. Attahiru Mamman, Prof. Maxwell Gidado, Prince Tonye Princewill, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, former Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the President; Senator Sani Kamba, Alhaji Kyari Gana, Mr. Peter Okocha, His Excellency George Deek, Deputy Head of Mission at the Israeli Embassy; Chief Dubem Onyia, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs;  Ambassador David Macrae, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria; Ambassador Patrick Fay, the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, former Group MD Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Tom Ingram and his wife Mollie from the US, AUN BoT Chairman, Ahmed Joda among several other members of the AUN Board. Students and members of the AUN community were also in attendance.