Nigerian Army University To Serve As Solution Centre For Technological And Operation Problems Of The Nigerian Army – COAS

Nigerian Army University To Serve As Solution Centre For Technological And Operation Problems Of The Nigerian Army – COAS

Chief Of Army Staff speech on the occasion of the presentation of appointment to Vice Chancellor Nigerian Army University BIU Professor David Iliya Malgwi.

It is with great joy that we are gathered here to witness yet another milestone in the history of the Nigerian Army. This event as you may have known is the presentation of appointment letter to the Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian Army premier educational institution, Nigerian Army University Biu.

You will recall that the institution was approved by the Federal Executive Council on 3 April 2018 and was followed with an elaborate Ground Breaking Ceremony on 30 October 2018 at the University’s permanent site in Biu.

Consequently, the university commenced academic activities with the admission and registration of pioneer students. The maiden university matriculation for the pioneer students was held on 21 February 2019. With the sequence of activities in the trend of the university’s evolution you would all agree with me that the university has come to life and to stay.

The focal point of the university as envisioned is to serve as solution centre for technological and operation problems of the Nigerian Army, military and the nation at large. It is designed to create the critical mass required for research, innovation, testing and development in the 21st century settings.

Additionally, it will provide excellence, ingenuity, creativity and distinctive competences in intellectual outcomes. In considering these objectives and the realization of what the future holds for the university, I deemed it necessary to couch my vision for the university which is “To make the Nigerian Army University Biu a centre of academic excellence in education, research and innovation for human capacity development, military science and technology for national development; and for the progress of humanity”.

This encompassing vision goes without saying that the university’s effort would be channelled towards not only developing the Nigerian Army’s capacity to compete professionally and responsively with other armies of the world but would also graduate a civilian manpower well equipped to live and work in this emerging competitive world.

The importance of this citadel of learning in this age of automation and technological advancement can therefore not be overemphasised.

Distinguished invited guests, May I at this juncture appreciate the warm reception of the Biu Emirate Council for being a good host. While commending your hospitality, I wish to call on all eminent sons and daughters of Biu Emirate Council, other catchment areas of the university, the North East and indeed all Nigerians to contribute positively in both human and material resources towards the university’s development.

I also urge the university community to ensure all hands are on deck to nurture the university. Our efforts should not come to naught because of internal wrangling; we all know that a house divided cannot stand.

Therefore, I urge you to make your mark as pioneer staff employed to groom future leaders. As you are all aware that the university is a military establishment though with a conventional setting, discipline would thus be enforced as vices such as cultism, activism, protest or strike and any untoward acts or activities from both the students and staff would be viewed seriously.

On this note, I wish to thank the Implementation and Steering Committee and the Transitional Governing Council who worked tirelessly to see that the establishment of the Nigerian Army University Biu came to fruition.

My appreciation also goes to Nigerian Universities Commission and Tertiary Education Trust Fund for their roles in the establishment of the university. My gratitude also goes to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Honourable Minister and Staff of Federal Ministry of Education and indeed the Federal Executive Council for all their efforts toward the establishment of the university.

Also to be appreciated are corporate bodies and individuals such as Zenith Bank Plc, Bellamo Oils, Total Exploration and Production Plc and others too numerous to mention for their immense contribution toward the university’s development. Let me also wholeheartedly thank the President, Commander in Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari for all his support in the founding and funding of the university.

The Nigerian Army remains indebted and would remain absolutely loyal to Mr President and his administration. We shall continue to play our role effectively as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria 1999 (As Amended).