…As TSU secures professional accreditation, expands partnerships under Bako
Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, on Saturday urged graduands of Taraba State University, TSU Jalingo, to rise above current challenges and become agents of transformation for the state and the nation during the institution’s combined convocation ceremony.
The governor congratulated the graduands, describing every certificate awarded as “a story of sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance.” He noted that many students studied under difficult economic conditions and combined education with work and family responsibilities.
Governor Kefas commended the families of graduands, lecturers, and the entire university community. He also applauded the Governing Council, Senate, and Management for successfully conducting the convocation for four graduating sets.
He said graduands were entering the world at a time of global economic uncertainty, unemployment, insecurity, climate change, technological disruption, and erosion of social values. However, he urged them not to be afraid.
“Every difficult generation produces men and women who rise above their circumstances and become great agents of transformation. You must be that generation,” the governor stated.
Governor Kefas recalled that his administration, which assumed office in 2023, inherited serious challenges including pressure on public finances, deteriorating infrastructure, insecurity, educational difficulties, and inadequate healthcare. The state also faced inflation, flooding, displacement, and damage to roads and bridges.
He noted that the university itself faced disruptions to academic activities, welfare concerns, infrastructure deficits, and accreditation pressures. At the height of the crisis, he said he came personally to the university because leadership must not remain at a safe distance from a problem.
“We did not come to fight lecturers or humiliate workers; we came to protect the future of our children and to remind everyone that Taraba State University belongs to all the people,” he said. He added that his administration reduced tuition fees because university education must not be the exclusive privilege of the wealthy.
Other interventions listed by the governor included supporting programme accreditation, securing approval for the induction of Medical Laboratory Science students, approving the commencement of the Law programme, renovating hostels, addressing infrastructure needs, implementing the new minimum wage, and clearing backlogs.
The governor stressed that the university must go beyond awarding certificates to become a problem-solving institution. He said TSU must provide research, technology, innovation, and practical solutions to address Taraba’s challenges in agriculture, solid minerals, healthcare, energy, climate, security, and infrastructure.
He charged students to be prepared to create enterprises and not only seek employment. He urged lecturers to focus on producing graduates of character and competence, and tasked management to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of academic standards.
Governor Kefas warned students against cultism, drug abuse, violence, and examination malpractice. He advised graduands to continue learning, acquire practical and digital skills, and never despise small beginnings, saying “your certificate may open a door, but it is your character, competence, and discipline that will keep you in the room.”
He expressed optimism despite current difficulties, noting that Taraba is blessed with fertile land, water, minerals, tourism potential, resilient communities, and talented young people. He reaffirmed government’s commitment to investing in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, security, electricity, youth development, and economic opportunities.
In his address, Vice Chancellor Professor Sunday Bako said the 2022-2026 tenure focused on repositioning the university for sustained excellence. He listed achievements including rescuing seventy-one (71) programmes and securing accreditation, strengthening governance, improving academic quality, expanding infrastructure, embracing digital transformation, and building strategic partnerships.
Prof. Bako disclosed that professional accreditation was secured for key programmes and certification backlogs cleared. He highlighted collaborations with the University of Lancaster, Western Institute of Advanced Learning, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, as well as national partners. He also announced the establishment of an Institute of Narcotics to curb cultism and drug abuse, and attributed the progress to the Governing Council, Senate, Management, and staff.
