Suswan, Edeh Bag Honourary Doctorate Degrees, Move to Power BSU With 24-Hour Electricity

Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Dr. Gabriel Suswan and the Chairman of Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Chief Dr. Paul Edeh Esq have undertaken to power the administrative block of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi with 24-Hour Solar Electricity.

Both Senator Suswan and Chief Edeh made the pledge after they were bestowed with Honourary Doctorate Degrees by BSU at the weekend.

Others who were honoured with same degree include a renowned Professor of History, Politics, Human Rights, Humanities and African Studies, Prof. Toyin Falola, Engr. Chief Sylvanus Gbasarah, as well as Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo and Lt. Colonel Joseph Akahan who got posthumous honours.

Responding on behalf of the Honorees at the Convocation ground, Chief Edeh expressed gratitude to the Governing Council, Senate and entire management team of the prestigious University for the recognition.

He said, “Honors like this are not given lightly. They are earned through acts of service, through contributions that uplift our communities and nation. The four of us being celebrated today, along with the distinguished personalities conferred with honorary degrees, are recognized because of the good we’ve worked to do. These awards remind us that small acts of goodness, layered one upon the other, can build something extraordinary, something far greater than what can be achieved by what we get from the National cake.

“I am told that I am the first alumnus of this University to receive this honor in its 33-year history. That is a privilege I do not take lightly. It makes me proud, but more importantly, it makes me responsible.”

He then charged the alumni of the institution to toe the path of notable globally-reckoned higher institution like Havard University in entrenching needed development at BSU, adding, “No institution grows beyond the contributions of its people… BSU has the potential to achieve greatness, but it starts with us—its alumni.”

Then came the official announcement that he and Senator Suswan have decided “to undertake the installation of 60 kilowatts of solar power in the Administrative Block if the University. He will undertake 30 kilowatts while I will undertake 30 kilowatts at a combined cost of over ₦70,000,000. A consultant will be sent next week to conduct a needs assessment so we can commence work as soon as possible.”

Chief Dr. Edeh who later dedicated his new attainment to the the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, visited their camp located along University of Agriculture road in North Bank to make donations, with a call on all stakeholders to “lend their voices towards resolving this crisis and help these families return home.”

Earlier, the BSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tor Joe Iorapuu, who went down memory lane on how the school was conceptualised and has been on, informed that “The students of Benue State University have been spectacular among others in Nigeria and globally. Their academic and leadership performances have been top notch. Their records are available for all to see.

“I must say that Benue State University is blessed and will continue to excel academically with a resolve to set the pace always.”

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Alia, in his speech announced his administration’s readiness to rename BSU after Rev Fr. Moses Adasu, a former Governor who established the citadel of learning that produced 44 first class graduates at the 22nd, 23rd and 24th Combined Convocation Ceremony.

He immediately announced scholarships for all the first class graduates and donated 500 Computers to BSU.

He also revealed that his government will embark on the expansion of BSU with a campus at Adikpo town, Kwande Local Government Area, an area sharing boundary with Nigeria’s neighbouring country Cameroon.

While commending the BSU Vice Chancellor-led management team for its visionary and focused leadership which is already yielding positive fruits, the governor announced that the present state government will establish a new higher institution to known as Benue State University of Technology and Agriculture.

Both the new Chancellor of BSU, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Najib Hussaini Adamu (Emir of Kazaure) and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the school’s Governing Council Sir. Paul Chukwuma spoke of the various recent far-reaching programmes and projects geared towards entrenching scientific research which the institution embarked on.

The Pro Chancellor particularly enjoined BSU alumni to shelve their individual interests and unite to lift the school in unity.

Friends, former school mates and allies later gathered to celebrate Chief Dr Edeh at a special reception, where each of them took time out in dishing out glowing tributes on the popular philanthropist who is the only Proprietor of two Women Football Clubs in Nigeria – Naija Ratels and Honey Badgers.

Among them were the member representing Apa and Agatu federal constitutuency Hon. Ojotu Ojema, a Chief Supritendent of Police CSP (rtd) and interim President Benue State University Alumni Association (BSUAA) Dr. Vandefan James, a globally-recognised scholar and a guest lecturer of BSU Convocation event, Prof. Toyin Falola who has bagged 25 Honourary Doctorate Degrees from different higher institutions in parts of the world,

Others are BSFA Vice Chairman Sir Alex Awuna, a serving lawmaker and Deputy Minority Chief Whip Hon. Blessed Onah, Majority leader of the Benue State House of Assembly Hon. Saater Tiseer, a Professor of Economics, Prof. Sam Ominyi, Special Adviser to Benue State Governor on Youth and Sports Hon. Dr. Elizabeth Idoko-Okogun, former BSUAA President Mr. Lawrence Vihimga among others