By Saidu Abubakar
The ‘Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor Programme’ introduced by Ahmadu Bello University was essentially to create a platform that would nurture the next generation of leaders for Nigeria.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, said at the maiden edition of the programme that the initiative was to produce leaders who would embody knowledge, character, and a deep sense of responsibility, Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria said in a statement.
Launching the programme at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Ahmed urged students to seize the moment, to learn, to question, and to be inspired.
He stressed that the future of Nigeria rested in their hands and that the university was determined to help them carry that responsibility with courage and vision.
Ahmed said the programme aligned closely with the vision of ABU’s founding father, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto.
He also said the university was established not only as a centre of learning but also as a training ground for leaders with empathy, a global outlook, and a deep consciousness of their obligations to Nigeria.
“It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this forum, intended to be held twice yearly, will rise to that noble expectation”, he further said.
He explained that the event was also an opportunity to have an open and sincere interaction with a select group of students to build stronger relationships that would carry forward the spirit of ABU family.
The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the keynote address speaker, Muhtar Bakare, Chairman of Alternative Bank, whose story was one of vision, hard work, and resilience.
Prof. Ahmed also expressed the university’s gratitude to Ahmed Zakari and Company for their generous sponsorship of the programme.
Prof. Ahmed described the chartered accountants company as one of the most successful and fastest-growing accounting firms in Nigeria.
He said what made the firm’s story even more inspiring for ABU was that the company was wholly owned by some of the institution’s brightest alumni.
In a keynote address, the Chairman Alternative Bank, Muhtar Bakare, shared practical life lessons and experiences of failures that he used as motivation to do better.
Bakare said young students were sitting on the necks of giants and had opportunities that others could only dream of with their access to the internet, artificial intelligence, and willing mentors.
The banker and publisher encouraged students to let their curiosity grow to allow interdisciplinary learning which would help shape their visions as leaders of tomorrow.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Occasion, Amb Shuaibu Ahmed, an alumnus of ABU and a Senior Partner at Ahmed Zakariyya and Co, appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for the initiative.
Ahmed described the programme as a sign of humility and empathy to interact with the students who were the future.
He congratulated the students for being selected to interact with experts and enjoined them to make the best use of the knowledge they would gain from the experience.
In a paper presentation, Prof. Sulaiman A. Karwai of the Department of Finance highlighted the need for vision, monitoring and evaluation in order to make a positive impact in any role they would find themselves in.
Prof. Karwai emphasized that good leaders were more interested in developing and empowering their people than their personal lives.
He cited exemplary leaders like the Sardauna of Sokoto who not only impacted his people but also inspired them to greatness.
Prof. OKarwai called on the students to have vision, empathy, and emotional intelligence to help them excel as world class leaders.
