The Interim President of AUN, Professor Attahir Yusuf, has reaffirmed AUN's commitment to working with the military and other security organizations on security and knowledge exchange. On October 26, 2022, President Yusuf welcomed Brigadier General MJ Gambo, Commander of the 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Yola, who had paid him a courtesy visit. President Yusuf highlighted AUN's long history of cooperation with security agencies in the area and in taking the lead in local security initiatives that help secure lives and property.
Professor Yusuf explained to the visiting Commander the rationale for the University's distinctive American-style liberal arts curriculum and focus on community building, saying that AUN was established to fill a knowledge gap in the nation's quest for development.
"All our programs are accredited by the relevant national regulatory bodies. We recruit faculty, staff and students from around the world and this richness in diversity is a core strength of the AUN brand. You will notice the distinctive ways our students interact with people from different backgrounds and their levels of knowledge and that is because of our diversity and philosophy".
Professor Attahir told the visitor that AUN's involvement in the community is substantial and multifaceted, adding that as a development university, the emphasis is on applying knowledge and research resources to the issues facing the local community and coming up with solutions. According to the President, students at AUN receive both theoretical and practical instruction in operating a business on campus as part of their entrepreneurship education. He also informed the guest that the AUN School of Business had just rounded off a training program in entrepreneurship for women in the local community.
"We understand the link between security and freedom and as a University committed to peace and development, we empower people in our local communities to become truly free and self-reliant by equipping them with skills".
The Brigade Commander was invited to teach part-time at AUN after the President acclaimed his academic achievements and noted that his presence in the classroom would inspire students to pursue a career in the military and maintain discipline on campus.
The visiting commander expressed his admiration for what he had observed at AUN since taking command in Yola and thanked the AUN President and his team for their cordial welcome.
General Gambo said upon taking command at the General Gibson Jalo Cantonment in Jimeta on August 19, 2022, he immediately embarked on a statewide tour to familiarize himself with the people and institutions of government, visiting and interacting with security personnel, NGOs and institutions of higher learning and felt it necessary to identify with AUN as well.
"It's my pleasure to identify myself with you, to strengthen the already existing relationship," General Gambo said. "As we all know, AUN is one of the most recognized tertiary institutions not only in Nigeria but all of Africa; no doubt, it provides the best quality education to students from all over the world." He commended the quality of the teaching staff at AUN.
The commander also used the opportunity to appreciate Dr. Lionel von Rawlins, the AUN VP for Safety and Security, who honored the military's invitation to attend and participate actively in the 'tombola night,' one of the regimental activities that help to promote esprit de corps and bonding with military colleagues and families. He also prayed for continuous strengthening of the already existing relationship between both institutions and requested for the inclusion of military ladies in AUN's entrepreneurial training for Yola community women.
The AUN team that received the visiting Brigade Commander and his entourage included the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Prof. Patrick Fay, Registrar/VP for Administration, Mr. Anthony Fadaka, Vice-President, Campus Life and Dean of Students, Mr. Byron Bullock, and Dr. Rawlins.
Reported by John Abah