Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, on Friday, commended Boss Mustapha’s investment in education and youth development to mark his 70th birthday.

Mr Fintiri made the commendation during the dedication of a library and administrative complex for the proposed Lutheran University Nigeria (LUN), at the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) campus in Demsa.

The governor said that the dedication coincided with Mr Mustapha’s 70th birthday and reflected a shared commitment to friendship, service and human development.

He said celebrating a milestone birthday through an investment in education was worthy of commendation, adding that the initiative would have a lasting impact on generations to come.

Mr Fintiri said the library, donated by Mr Mustapha, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), would serve as an important component of the proposed university and provide an environment conducive to research, learning and innovation.

According to him, knowledge remains a critical foundation for Nigeria’s development, adding that creating the right environment for young people to acquire knowledge and skills was a collective responsibility.

“This library will create an environment that will elevate young people to become the best they can be and contribute meaningfully to the development of our society,” he said.

Mr Fintiri encouraged the leadership of LCCN to maintain high academic standards in the proposed university for the realisation of achieving academic excellence, integrity and responsible leadership.

The governor also described LUN as another important chapter in the contribution of the church to society, saying the institution could become a gateway for knowledge, research and human capital development.

Earlier in his keynote address, the president of LCCN, Panti Musa, said the vision of establishing the university was rooted in the church’s longstanding commitment to human development.

Mr Musa said the university was conceived as a natural extension of the Lutheran Church’s mission to develop people and contribute meaningfully to society.

He said the process of establishing the university was pursued between 2019 and 2023, with the objective of creating an institution that would promote academic excellence and produce leaders of integrity.

According to him, the university will focus on education, skills acquisition, and employment creation, while contributing to efforts to address challenges confronting young people.

He said the ultimate ambition was to build a sustainable, world-class university capable of producing intellectuals and professionals who would make meaningful contributions to national development.

Mr Musa stated that the proposed university was located on about 161 hectares of land, with plans for comprehensive infrastructural development, including renewable energy facilities and other essential amenities.

Also speaking, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau called on governments at all levels to address the Almajiri system and ensure that children were taken off the streets and given access to quality education.

Mr Mutfwang described education as a critical tool for transforming the lives of young people and building a prosperous society.

He also pledged his support for the establishment of the proposed Lutheran University Nigeria.

In his remarks, Mr Mustapha said his decision to establish the university was driven by his desire to contribute to quality education and honour the memory and legacy of his father.

He said his vision was based on the conviction that education and knowledge were essential for young Nigerians to compete effectively, solve societal problems and contribute to national development.

Mr Mustapha said academic excellence and integrity would be central to the operations of the proposed institution.

He said that the project was also a personal commitment to leaving behind a legacy that would inspire future generations.

The former SGF urged young people not to allow their backgrounds to define their future, encouraging them to pursue knowledge, remain confident and strive to achieve their ambitions.

He said the university project represented an enduring investment in education and young people, adding that its impact should go beyond his lifetime.

The ceremony attracted government officials, religious leaders, academics, traditional rulers and other dignitaries. 

(NAN)