The founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, has commended the institution on its 19th year anniversary since establishment.
According to him, the university has attained far reaching milestones that requires a pause for a stock taking of its performance.
“AUN is 19 years old, although students actually began to study here 18 years ago. Whether we put the university’s age at 19 or 18, it is a good time to take stock of what we have been doing, what we have achieved, and how we can get better. 18 is somewhat universally regarded as the age of maturity.
“At this age, it’s believed that adults assume or are given responsibilities expected of those with the capacity for independent thought, reason, or judgement”.
“In addition to this capacity for independent living, the adult engages in self-reflection, such self-reflection can suggest a change in tactics, method, or direction aimed at improving one’s life and the lives of those impacted by the adult’s actions and inactions”.
Noting that as Socrates remarked long ago ‘An unexamined life is not worth living’, he added that “it’s not enough to simply go through the motions of living or, in this case, of running an educational institution day-by-day.
‘We have to step back, take stock, ask ourselves some very important questions, and try to answer them honestly.”
According to Atiku, “such questions include why are we here? What was the vision of the founders in establishing this university? To what extent have we kept faith with that vision and that promise?
“AUN was never intended to be just another university, there was a vision and purpose that set it apart and gave it true meaning and relevance.
“It is important that that vision is realized and that the university serves its purpose for generations to come and the vision is to build a development university providing American-style education, which emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving”.
“A development university, unlike the traditional (ivory tower notion of) university sees itself as an active partner in economic development and the process of nation-building,” he said
Meanwhile, the University inaugurated its 6th President, Dr. DeWayne Frazier at its 15th annual founder’s day.
Dr. Frazier, who is an experienced educator with over twenty-five years of dedication to positively shaping young minds. He is also a leadership and political science professor.
It is expected that the new president will drive the vision of the founder in realizing the dreams of a development university to drive the growth of Nigeria and Africa.
The new President promised to ensure the realisation of the founder in leaving an enduring legacy of quality education in Yola and environs.
“AUN will prioritise innovation, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and creating opportunities for groundbreaking research and world class teaching.”
As your president, “I will strive to build strong collaborations with our alumni, community partners, and industry leaders, forging meaningful connections that will benefit not only our students but also society as a whole”.
“We will work together to address the challenges of our time and make a positive impact in our local and global communities. I am filled with excitement and optimism for the future of this university. I am confident that, together, we will achieve great things and continue to be a beacon of knowledge, enlightenment, and progress.
“I am committed to upholding the values and principles that have been the foundation of this university. Values such as Excellence, Integrity and Services that permeate through the entire campus,” he said.
In his remark, the keynote speaker, Dr. Steven Titus, commended the founder and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, for establishing the only development university in the heart of Yola.
“Before I say a few words about President DeWayne, it is important to ask an important question: Why would a “Baturi” from the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the United States enthusiastically accept the invitation to travel halfway around the world to serve as president for Nigeria’s only American and developmental university?
“To understand, we must first appreciate the motivations and values of our dear founder that moved him to establish the university nearly 20 years ago.
“I trust you all know the Founder’s commitment to education, as evidenced in large measure, by the founding and ongoing work of this great university.
“Let me start today by giving my most heartfelt thanks to our Dear Founder, because it is by his dream and generosity that each of us sit in this wonderful commencement hall today, his dream of a Harvard on the Benue (BenWAY) is becoming a reality.”
. TheWitness
