Vice-Chancellor treats 100 ABU students to lunch
A total of 100 students of Ahmadu Bello University were at the weekend treated to a lunch by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, who urged them not to define success merely by graduating with a certificate.
The gesture was at the ‘Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor’ programme at which the Vice-Chancellor interacted with the select group of students and shared with them some of the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities.
The occasion was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Musa Ishiyaku Mohammed.
It attracted a number of dignitaries, including President Muhammad Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Malam Garba Shehu.
The Chairman/CEO, Trobell International Nigeria Ltd, Lawal Garba, delivered a keynote lecture at the occasion, while the Director, CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, ABU, Zaria, Prof Auwal Haruna, gave a brief talk on ‘what happened after the classroom’.
Justifying the programme, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, said they would maintain the yearly event because “a university is not only its buildings, laboratories, and lecture halls; it is, above all, its people”.
Prof Ahmed enjoined the students to understand that their time in ABU is much more than a period of acquiring a degree.
He said it is a period for discovering themselves, developing their talents, building relationships, cultivating character and preparing themselves to contribute meaningfully to society.
“Do not define success merely by graduating with a certificate. Ask yourselves: What value will I create? What problem will I solve? Whose life will I improve? What legacy will I leave?”, he said.
The Vice-Chancellor also told the students that the world they are graduating into requires creativity, innovation, courage, resilience, and the willingness to keep learning.
“I therefore urge you to take advantage of every opportunity the university provides – academic, entrepreneurial, leadership, sporting, cultural and professional”, he also counseled.
He further encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunity of the event, saying the future belongs to those who prepare for it.
Prof Ahmed appreciated two distinguished alumni of the university for accepting to play roles at the occasion.
He particularly thanked Dr Musa Ishiyaku Mohammed, the Federal Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies, Office of the Head of Service, for chairing the occasion; and Lawal Garba, the Chairman/CEO, Trobell International Nigeria Ltd, for giving the keynote lecture.
The Vice-Chancellor also appreciated the Directorate of Advancement, the Student Affairs Division and the Public Affairs Directorate for their commitment to organising the event, and for helping to strengthen the relationship between the university, its students and alumni.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Dean of Students gave a brief overview of the programme, explaining how they were able to draw the list of students selected for participation in the programme.
Students leaders (Students Representatives Council – SRC and Postgraduate Representatives Council -PRC) also spoke at the occasion, appreciating the university management for preparing students for future responsibilities.
They urged the students who participated in the programme to share the knowledge learned with their fellow students who were not at the event.
The Director, Directorate of Advancement, Prof M I Umar-Buratai, gave a vote of thanks, appreciating the Chairman of the occasion, and the speakers, for accepting to be at the event.
Prof Umar-Buratai also appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, for the initiative to encourage students of the university to develop self-confidence.
He acknowledged with profound appreciation the pledge by the guest speaker, Lawal Garba, to refund the expenses incurred by the university for the customes used by the students at the occasion.
Umar-Buratai further appreciated the guest speaker for the donation of five million Naira (N5 million) for facilitating the journey to Brazil by ABU students who will represent Nigeria at the ENACTUS World Cup in November.
The event was colourful by the presence of guest speaker’s friends and relatives, including a delegation from Jam’Iyyar Matan Arewa led by its President, Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa, who is also a distinguished alumna of Ahmadu Bello University.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NEWS/NAM/AHW&PIC/TKU/DAH)
Sunday, 6th September, 2026
