By Muhammad Sani Uba
Senator Mohammadu Danjuma Goje, representing Gombe Central Senatorial District, has described Professor Umaru Pate as a visionary academic whose leadership significantly transformed the Federal University Kashere (FUK) in both academic development and infrastructure.
Goje stated this while chairing the public presentation of a book titled Umaru A. Pate: An Icon of Visionary Leadership, Knowledge, Transformation and Impactful Change, held at the Idris Abdulkadir Auditorium of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja.
SolaceBase reports that the book was edited by Professor William O. Olu-Aderounmu, Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, who coordinated the publication to honour the immediate past Vice Chancellor for his remarkable contributions to the institution.
According to Goje, Prof. Pate’s five-year tenure as the third Vice Chancellor of the university witnessed remarkable growth, stability and expansion in both academic programmes and physical infrastructure.
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He noted that the former Vice Chancellor demonstrated exceptional leadership, administrative transparency and intellectual integrity that helped raise the university’s profile nationally and internationally.
“Prof. Pate laid the foundation of a university that will stand the test of academic integrity and physical development in Nigeria,” the senator said.
He highlighted some of the major achievements recorded during Pate’s tenure, including the establishment of the College of Medical Sciences with programmes such as MBBS, Nursing and Dentistry, construction of student hostels, a Radio-TV complex, internal road networks and a university guest house in Abuja.
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Goje also commended the Governing Council, led by Prof. Olu-Aderounmu, for its dynamic leadership and for ensuring a smooth transition from the former Vice Chancellor to the current one without controversy.
He urged the present Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammad Jaafar, to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and sustain the stability and growth of the university.
The senator further praised Prof. Pate for using his professional networks and media connections to boost the visibility and reputation of the university and the Kashere community.
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Prof. Pate, who now heads the Centre for Journalism and New Media Studies at Bayero University Kano, was encouraged to continue supporting the growth of the university even after leaving office.
Goje assured the university community of the continued support of the people of Gombe State to enable the institution flourish as a major centre of learning and research in Nigeria.
