Senator Wamakko set to build first private varsity in Sokoto

Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 1:34 PM by Jerrywright Ukwu

- Sokoto would soon have a private university courtesy of a former governor of the state

- Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has received approval from the Nigerian University Commission to set up a university in the state

- The former governor who is now a senator, noted that only qualitative education can guarantee development for the younger generation

Sokoto would soon have a private university as a former governor of the state, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has received approval from the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) to set up a university, Leadership reports.

Giving reasons for the move, Wamakko, the current senator representing Sokoto central senatorial district, said his passion for education is borne out of the fact that only qualitative education can guarantee development for the younger generation.

Wamakko, who obtained application and processing form on behalf of Magatakarda Foundation, lamented that there are no fewer than 80 private universities in Nigeria, but only three in the northwest out of which only one is functional.

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Speaking during his visit to the NUC in Abuja, Wamakko noted that the desire for quality education led him to establish Sokoto State University when he was the governor of the state.

He further noted that his quest for knowledge compelled him to study for a PhD at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, even as a serving senator.

Reacting to Wamakko’s request, NUC executive secretary, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, said the senator had captured the very essence of education.

“We pledge our commitment to your goal and mission of setting up a university,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Rochas Foundation College of Africa owned by former Imo state governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has welcomed new students from Uganda and Mozambique.

The development raises to 16, the number of African countries benefiting from the free education initiative of the foundation.

A press statement sent to journalists by the media director of the Rochas Foundation, Mr Ahmed Mustapha, indicates that the students joined their colleagues from 14 countries on the continent and will have everything needed for qualitative education at no cost.