The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Saturday emerged the University of Ibaban alumnus of the year 2020, the fifth person to be such honoured since 1973.
He also bagged the Distinguished Alumnus Award of the premier university.
The decision to recognise Zulum was reached by all graduates of the University from all parts of the world through their alumni association.
Zulum, a professor of soil and water engineering, was a student of the University from 1997 to 1998 during which he bagged an Msc in Agricultural Engineering, before obtaining his Phd at the University of Maiduguri in 2009.
The presentation was held at Dame Edith Okowa Auditorium, Dr. Michael Omolayole Alumni Complex at the University of Ibadan.
The event was attended by the Governors of Osun and Kwara States.
Dr. Kemi Anthony Emina, immediate past President of the association, who handed Zulum the award, described the Governor’s performance in office as outstanding.
Zulum is the fifth to win the award since 1973 when the University of Ibadan Alumni Association came into existence, Emina said.
The event had four award categories: life-time achievement, worthy ambassador, most distinguished alumnus and alumnus of the year 2020, and honours to some prominent Nigerians.
Zulum was honoured in two different categories: most distinguished alumnus and alumnus of the year 2020.
In their separate remarks, the Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, and former Minister of Health, Prof. Issac F. Adewole, both commended Governor Zulum for his quality leadership in Borno State.
“I personally see this award as a challenge. Let me assure you that this will further encourage me to do more,” Zulum said in his reaction.
The Governor also expressed appreciation to his lecturers while he was a student at the University of Ibadan back in 1997 and 1998.
Zulum said he would work on strengthening the relationship between the University of Ibadan and University of Maiduguri.
The Governor was accompanied to the ceremony by former Governor Kashim Shettima; Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Abubakar Kyari; Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan; some principal officers of the Assembly; Commissioner of Agriculture, Engr. Bukar Talba; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Protocol, Alhaji Ahmed Sanda.
The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazak, received a posthumous award honouring his late father.
The Acting Vice chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Babatunde Ekanola, was also at the event.
The Borno Governor has since 2019 won different awards, including Nigerian Union of Journalists most promising first term Governor, 2019; Muslim personality of the year, 2019; Tell Magazine’s Governor of the year, 2020; Vanguard Newspapers’ personality of the year, 2020; Leadership Newspapers’ personality of the year 2020; Zik prize for leadership, 2020; Silverbird’s special award, 2020; Igbere TV’s Governor of the year, 2020; Community Development Pillar Award, 2020; and BusinessDay Newspapers governor of the year, 2021.
