GOVERNMENT has been implored to strengthen security across tertiary institutions following Sunday's dastardly attack at the Bayero University Kano by unknown gunmen.The Vice chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Professor Barineme Beke Fakae, while condemning the attack that claimed some lives at the old Bayero varsity campus, said government should ensure adequate measures to protest the lives of teachers and students.Briefing journalists ahead of RSUST 24TH convocation which comes up on Saturday, Fakae said Sunday's attack has spurred the management of the institution to take the issue of security serious. 'This type of event (attack)is really unfortunate because it is uncalled for. If we now attack the centers we are expecting people who can help this country, it means we don't have a future. We don't even have any type of future we are expecting from Nigeria' he said.The Vice Chancellor wondered how any nation facing serious developmental challenges can develop when academic centres which are supposed to proffer solutions, are endangered by gunmen.Fakae stressed that the attacks on university teachers and students in Kano is a pointer that those in academics are now endangered species. According to him, government and other stakeholders must put heads together to strengthen security across tertiary institutions.'Government and industry should come in and know that some protection should be given to academic institutions, knowing that we don't have the wherewithal to protect ourselves. There used to be police posts in universities, but we need to do more' he said.He explained that RSUST has taken steps to beef up internal security, even before preparation for the convocation. According to him, the institution has employed undercover and security operatives that have been instrumental to curbing criminal activities on campus.He said a total of 3541 students have been certified for graduation by the university's senate. Out of this number, 3219 would receive their first degree certificates, 215 would obtain a post graduate diploma, 215 would be awarded Master's degree and the remaining 22 would get their doctoral degrees.The Vice chancellor explained that the university has made some remarkable progress since 2007 till date. According to him, out of the 122 universities across the country, only 27 universities, of which RSUST is among, have National Universities Commission (NUC) institutional accreditation.Fakae said only former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odien Ajumogobia (SAN) was selected to receive the university's honorary doctorate award.
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