Boko Haram: Foundation Launches First Private University In Borno To Encourage Western Education

The Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday laid a foundation stone for the construction of Al-Ansar University, which is expected to be the first privately owned tertiary institution in the state.

It is a significant development considering that the the Boko Haram sect, which had waged a vicious insurgency against Nigeria, had openly attacked acquisition of Western education.

Zulum had recently approved the allocation of 100 hectares of land in Maiduguri, to Al-Ansar Foundation, a Non-governmental organization dedicated to Western and Islamic education for the less privileged, at a site along Gubio road in the Borno capital.

Al-Ansar Foundation was established by its President, Dr Muhammad Kyari Dikwa, a retired federal permanent secretary and philanthropist.

The Al Ansar foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

It focuses on helping less privileged communities in the areas of western and Islamic education, public healthcare, human capital developments, religious tolerance, environmental conservation, water mission-drilling bore holes in poor communities, supporting the orphans, women empowerment, building mosques and engages in charity activities.

The university is taking off with two colleges in addition to other landmark structures necessary for administration and lecturing purposes.

In a remark at the ground breaking ceremony, Zulum ordered the construction of 2.3km road within the university, in addition to ongoing construction of low aquifer borehole by the Borno State Government at the university site.

The governor also directed the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to liase with the founder of the university to see how Borno State Government could further support the implementation of the laudable project.

He promised similar support for anyone desirous of making investments in Borno, particularly on education.

“We are very much willing to support any individual or group willing to partner with the state government in order to provide the much needed qualitative education to our children at all levels.” Zulum said.

On his part, President of Al-Ansar Foundation and founder of the university, Dikwa, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for his relentless support for the actualization of his university project.

“let me start by expressing our sincere appreciation to the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum for his show of love and concern to the Al-ansar foundation since its inception.

” The foundation is happy and proud to identify with this kind hearted man, selfless leader, a man of peace and compassion, the man that history has already revealed, a charismatic politician, academician and a great leader whose actions have already inspired the youth, women, vulnerable and impacted positively on the lives of people of Borno State and beyond, ” Dikwa said.