By Our Reporter
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration by Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), where he also announced automatic employment for overall best graduating students and approved salary increments for university staff.
The announcements were made during the university’s 14th convocation ceremony held in Katsina on Saturday.
Radda described the honorary award as a call to higher responsibility and renewed commitment to public service, pledging sustained support for the state-owned institution.
“I accept this honour with humility and a renewed sense of responsibility to serve the people of Katsina State with dedication and integrity,” the governor said.
Addressing the graduating students, he urged them to uphold integrity, pursue innovation, and commit themselves to serving society, adding that they should act as worthy ambassadors of both the university and the state.
As part of measures to promote academic excellence, the governor declared that overall best graduating students would be offered automatic employment with the state government after completing their National Youth Service Corps.
He directed the Head of Service to begin the process of identifying and documenting eligible beneficiaries.
Radda also approved a ₦100,000 cash award for the best graduating students in each department, while the overall best graduand will receive a brand-new vehicle as a special recognition prize.
He further disclosed that his administration had released funds to support programme accreditation in line with national and international standards.
He announced a salary increase for both academic and non-academic staff of the university, describing the move as a reward for dedication and consistent service.
“Our government will continue to support UMYU to achieve excellence, discipline, and service to humanity,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chancellor of the university, Senator Ibrahim M. Ida (Wazirin Katsina), said the convocation marked a major milestone for the graduands and their families, praising the institution’s steady progress in academic expansion, research development, and community engagement.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika, commended the state government for its backing of the university and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to widening access to education, strengthening research capacity, and improving the institution’s global competitiveness.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shehu Salihu Muhammad, said the university had grown from about 1,000 students at inception to over 20,000, with 117 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes currently being offered.
He noted that the institution had maintained uninterrupted academic calendars, strong governance structures, and robust research collaborations, with all its programmes fully accredited.
According to him, 2,682 students graduated at the ceremony, including 31 First Class degree holders. He commended the governor for prompt payment of staff salaries and continued intervention in the university’s development.
Speaking on behalf of the honorary doctorate recipients, Ambassador Ahmed Rufa’i expressed appreciation to the university for the recognition and advised the graduands to live with honesty and a strong sense of service.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Malam Faruk Lawal; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura; Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Garba Faskari; Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale; serving and former federal officials, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, security chiefs, and business leaders.
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