1st Matriculation and Investiture of Chancellor of Phoenix University Agwada held on 25th November 2024.
Governor Abdullahi Sule has pledged continued support for the Pheonix University Agwada, the first indigenous private university founded by the first executive governor of the state and immediate past national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Governor Sule said he has several reasons for awarding the scholarships, especially that he was also a beneficiary of a scholarship that facilitated for him to have a university education in the United States.
“I have several reasons why this scholarship must be given. First, as the first indigenous university in Nasarawa State. If the government of Nasarawa State did not support it, no other person should support this university. We are out to support you yesterday, today and tomorrow. My second reason is that I also came from a humble background. I did not come from rich parents, but I went all the way to a university in America on scholarship. I have no reason whatsoever not to give scholarship,” he stated.
Governor Sule recounted his first official visit to the university where he discovered the institution’s sophisticated science laboratory as well as the well equipped ICT centre boasting of areas of specializations such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“You have the most complicated and most sophisticated laboratory. We are a state of solid minerals and I saw a laboratory where you have the opportunity to be able to carry out true analysis and get results. I also visited your ICT centre that got me curious and interested. I saw the initiative for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and I got more excited,” he said.
In his speech, founder of the Pheonix University Agwada, Senator Abdullahi Adamu promised all first class students of the pioneer sets of students automatic employment with the institution.
Equating the coming onboard of the institution to the joy of a father witnessing the birth of his first child, Senator Adamu said it has been his life long quest to invest in education, especially that education is an asset that has enduring value and the knowledge acquired therein can never be taken away from the beneficiary.
He assured the students that they would receive quality education, guided by the best academic minds in the country, and benefit from international collaborations and digital platforms that would expose them to global opportunities.
“My joy is certainly so indescribable and overwhelming. We are a university that is set on the foundations and paths of glory,” he said.
On his part, Vice Chancellor of the Pheonix University Agwada, Professor Abdullahi Bala, disclosed that 342 candidates had applied for admission, but only 260 of them met the requirements and criteria and were admitted as pioneer students into various courses.
The VC added that out of the number, 92 were offered scholarships by the Nasarawa State Government, stating that the scholarships would cater for the tuition, accommodation and service charges of the institution.
Speaking shortly after his investiture as the first Chancellor of the university and conferment of honorary degree, Dr. Muhammadu Ndimi said he was impressed with what he saw at the Pheonix University Agwada, promising to work together with the founder for the growth and development of the institution.
