The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, says Prof. Ibrahim Gambari is worthy of President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice as the new Chief of Staff (CoS).
In a statement made available to Our Correspondent in Ilorin on Wednesday, Na’Allah noted that the clear-headedness and global thinking needed to navigate the country’s present travails made the engagement of the international diplomat an excellent choice by the president.
He commended President Buhari on the appointment of the Ilorin Prince, an acclaimed successful academic and international diplomat.
”He had been a global citizen since 1984 when he was appointed the nation’s External Affairs Minister by President Buhari, during his first coming as Nigeria’s Head of State.
”Prof. Gambari is not a novice in governance and international best practices, and his appointment will further help in positioning the President Buhari-led administration for better service delivery to Nigeria and Nigerians,” Na’Allah said.
He added that as the nation grappled with COVID-19 global pandemic and was planning for post-COVID economic recovery, the global academic pundit and diplomat would bring to bear his wealth of experience in giving quality advice to the president at this crucial time.
”I can assure that Prof. Gambari will justify the confidence reposed in him by the president in helping to lessen the burden of governance.
‘The new CoS’ appointment will also help add fillip to Nigeria’s international exposure and linkages that would assist government in recovery plans in the post-COVID-19 world, through his quality advice and support in governance process,” he said.
Na’Allah recalled the appointment of the new CoS as the pioneer Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU) in 2013, while he was pioneer Vice-Chancellor at that university.
He said the robust engagements with Prof. Gambari enabled the university to weather the storm and survived stoppage of subvention for the university over a five-year period.
According to Na’Allah, the new CoS, as the pioneer Chancellor of KWASU, contributed in no small measure to the academic stability achieved by the institution as he was always there to give his best toward ensuring the attainment of the world-class vision of the university’s founding fathers.
He urged the new CoS not to be distracted, and to give professional and moral loyalty to the president as he commenced the arduous task of helping his principal to fulfill his presidential mandate.
Na’Allah felicitated with the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and joined him and Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, all Nigerians and indeed the rest of the world in congratulating the legend and incorruptible leader, on his well-deserved appointment, wishing him Allah’s protection and guidance in his new task.
