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Main reasons Why Boni awarded Doctor of Science by Modibbo Adama University

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Main reasons Why Boni awarded Doctor of Science by Modibbo Adama University

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Narrator: Dr Fatima Joda

Mr. Chancellor Sir, I am pleased and proud to present to you His Excellency Mr. Boni Haruna.

A patient leader reputed with impeccable character, proven integrity, transparent honesty, and forthrightness. A man of extraordinary vitality, courage, great administrative ability, and above all, a committed servant to community and country.

Born on June 12 1957, in Kuburshosho in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Mr. Boni Haruna was initially educated at Kuburshosho Primary School in 1971 and comprehensive secondary school Numan in 1976.

He also attended the defunct College of Preliminary Studies Yola in 1978, from where he moved on to study Political Science at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria until 1984.

Mr. Boni Haruna served the mandatory National Youth Service Corps scheme in the Military Governor’s office, Sokoto State, for the 1984/85 service year.

In 1987, he attended the University of Jos for a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA).

Mr. Boni Haruna was also privileged to have studied at the famous Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1994,

which got him prepared for a career in journalism.

While sojourning the private sector, he joined Sub —Saharan Press Limited, publishers of the now-rested THEWEEK

News magazine, and became the Deputy Managing Director of the organization.

Mr. Boni Haruna worked in both the public and private sectors of the economy. In the public sector, he rose to the rank of Principal Assistant Registrar at the College of Education, Jalingo, Taraba State. At various times, he also served as Examination Officer and Academic Secretary of

the College.

Mr. Boni Haruna joined politics very early in life. As undergraduate in 1982, he became the Youth Leader of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the former Gongolo’ State (present Adamawa and Taraba States). During this period, he served as a close aide to the then gubernatorial candidate of the UPN, the late Rev. Wilson Sabiya.

In 1992, Mr. Boni Haruna became the only Personal Assistant (equivalent to Chief of Staff) to the first civilian Governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame. Mr. Boni Haruna was believed to have cut his teeth in leadership and administration while serving in Taraba as the most trusted aide of the governor.

It was therefore not surprising that in 1999, Mr. Boni Haruna was elected as Deputy Governor in his home State of Adamawa, on the same ticket with His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as Governor. As fate would have it, Mr. Boni Haruna was later sworn in as Governor along with his former principal in Taraba State. He was re-elected to the position in 2003. As the pacesetter that he is, Mr. Boni Haruna became the (first elected governor) to serve Adamawa state for two terms totalling 8 years.

Barely seven years after leaving office as Governor, Mr. Boni Haruna’s towering personality could not be eclipsed. In 2014, he was appointed to the Federal Executive Council as Honourable Minister in charge of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

As governor, he made landmark decisions and achieved milestone records in various sectors of public life. In the area of education, which he labelled as his priority number 1, number 2, and number 3. He established Adamawa State University in the face of stiff opposition to the decision. He became the first visitor to the first state university in North Eastern Nigeria.

During Mr Boni Haruna’s tenure as Governor, Adamawa State was the best performing state in Universal Basic Education (UBE) projects in Nigeria.

Mr. Boni Haruna returned or reintroduced boarding m the secondary school system with full feeding after the deboarding policy of about 20 years.

He completed all inherited projects from preceding administrations, some of which started over 20 years before his administration in 1999. Among the landmark projects he completed include the State-of-the-art State Secretariat and the House of Assembly Complex, which have remained exemplary benchmark symbols for administrative operations in the country.

Mr. Boni Haruna renovated infrastructural facilities m all the schools in Adamawa State and was the first governor to pay all foundational examination fees such as NECO, WAEC, JAMB, etc., to all eligible Adamawa State students.

He was also credited for introducing a revolving car loan scheme for teachers through which over 5,000 benefitted.

Mr. Boni Haruna equally introduced the novel policy of the Owner-occupier housing scheme, which enabled civil servants to own houses with ease. To serve this purpose, a primary mortgage institution (Adamawa Homes and Savings) was established for effective implementation of the

policy.

He also saw to the realization of the following legacy projects, among others:

•Adamawa Plaza in Abuja

•Jimeta Ultra-Modern Market

•Governor’s Lodge in Abuja

•Over 121 rural electrification projects were awarded, out of which about 75 were fully executed across the state under Governor Haruna.

Boni Haruna is the recipient of many awards/honours. Prominent among them are:

1. French National Honour: GRAND OFFICER DE L’ORDRE NATIONAL DU MERIT

2. Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism

3. Honorary Doctorate Degree from Adamawa State University, Mubi, etc.

Mr. Chancellor Sir, it is in recognition of his great achievements and untiring zeal to promote education by all means, at all times, and at all levels, that he is recognized by this university. It is also in appreciation of his unrivalled dedication to service, discipline to public policy, timeless sacrifice to public good, commitment to morality and ethical uprightness, among others that this refined politician, smart administrator and celebrated journalist, His Excellency Mr, Boni Haruna is being presented.

On behalf of the senate and congregation of Modibbo Adama University, Yola. I am pleased to request that you kindly confer on His Excellency, Mr. Boni Haruna, Makaman Mubi, the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.

Thank you.