HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Mohammadu Abali Ibn Mohammed Idris

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 43 traditional rulers as chancellors and 27 other individuals as pro-chancellors of some federal universities and inter-university centres.

Truetells Nigeria reports that this was made known by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

He told newsmen that the decision was in line with the establishment of new universities and also to replace deceased chancellors.

“Mr. President has, following the establishment of additional universities, approved the appointment, reassignment of chancellors to 43 federal universities,” Adamu Adamu said.

“The exercise is intended to also replace deceased chancellors of some federal universities.

“As royal fathers, these chancellors are expected to be the moral compass of the various universities to which they are assigned. They have been taken from their kingdoms and primary constituencies to other kingdoms and these appointments are expected to play a role in cementing relationships between communities in the country.

“Let me reiterate that the chancellors shall be presented to the university community at an investiture ceremony to be organised by the university for the purpose; or during the next convocation ceremony when the investiture will precede the conferment of degrees at convocation.”

Some of the universities include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Federal University, Lafia; among others.

Some of the schools and inter-university centres include: The Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry, University of Benin, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; among others.

The appointed Chancellors include HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Tor Tiv (University of Benin), Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III. CON, JP. Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, (Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University), Bauchi, HM Obi Ofala Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, (Ahmadu Bello University), Zaria and HRM Oba Aremu Gbadebo, Alake of Egbaland, (Alex Ekwueme University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State).

Others are HM, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin, (Bayero University, Kano),
HRM King W S Joshua Igbugburu X, Con, Ibenanawei of Bomo Kingdom, (Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State), HRM Professor Joseph Chike Edozien. CFR, Asagba of Asaba, (Federal University Gashua, Yobe), HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Mohammadu Abali Ibn Mohammed Idris, CON, Emir of Fika, (Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State).

King Dandeson Douglas Jaja Jeki, Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, (Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina), HRH Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, Emir of Gombe, (Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike) and HRH, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad 1, Emir of Lafia, (Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa), among others.