Al-Hikmah Varsity Decorates Speaker with Honorary Doctorate on Public Admin
…as lecture excites academics, economists, attracts global accolades
By Tom Okpe
Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep Tajudeen Abbas has been decorated with an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration by the Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
Though the conferment, took place on January 7 during the 14th Convocation Lecture of the institution, the Speaker was formally decorated on Thursday in his office by the founder of the University, Dr Abdulraheem Oladimeji, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Noah Yusuf, respectively.
Speaker Abbas had on December 30, 2024, delivered the 14th Convocation Lecture of the Al-Hikmah University titled: ‘Beyond Oil: Exploring Alternative Revenue Potentials for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Nigeria.’
The Vice Chancellor announced that Speaker Abbas was lauded by academics and economists across the world for his lecture at the 14th Convocation Lecture of the university, saying the lecture, generated commendations from around the world.
“Till today, the lecture has continued to receive positive reactions from the global academic community, relevant stakeholders of the national economy and the public.”
Prof Yusuf noted that the visit was to appreciate distinguished personality for the honour, done to our University, in particular and Kwara State, in general, by your physical presence in Ilorin, exactly a month ago.
“The lecture delivered by Speaker Abbas was meticulously, done to the admiration of the audience, quality of the Convocation Lecture has been adjudged by scholars and researchers alike as rich and first rated.
These records shall be preserved in our University for several years to come.
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“Consequently, it throws a serious challenge to all stakeholders in Nigeria project to take the issue further beyond the University campus to the public space through a roundtable, which would be anchored by relevant Government functionaries, policymakers, experts in Economics and Public Finance as well as academia,” he said.
Responding, the Speaker commended the founder of the institution for establishing a University, despite not having higher education.
“Indeed, today is a day of joy; it is a day of happiness that I have been found worthy by an illustrious and distinguished University like Al-Hikmah, which has a rich history of academic excellence to have found me worthy of an honorary Doctorate, in Public Administration.
“I want to categorically say, just as I said earlier during the University’s convocation lecture, this honour has made me one of Al-Hikmah’s stakeholders for life.
“I want to thank my father, Oladimeji, who has been a pillar of inspiration for many Nigerians. A man who has not been to a University, but has been able to build one, that has graduated many professors in different fields.
“He is one exceptional human being that I know in this country, and I believe that Almighty God will continue to bless him, reward him, exalt him, and make him more prosperous to continue, serving humanity,” Abbas added.
