The Governments of The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra-Leone has commended the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, for pioneering scholarship scheme for African states, through its UNAAB Foreign African Scholarship Scheme (UFASS).
Speaking through their diplomats to Nigeria, the Governments said by virtue of the scholarships offered their citizens, Nigeria has again confirmed her “big brother” status in Africa, adding that the country was on the way to consolidating her leadership role in the continent, through UNAAB.
Besides, the Government of the three countries also agreed that through the scholarships, the dying African spirit and culture of sharing, caring and oneness would yet be resuscitated.
The West African Diplomats stated this in their individual remarks at the Graduation Ceremony of the pioneer beneficiaries of the UNAAB Foreign African Scholarship Scheme (UFASS), held in the University’s senate Chamber last Tuesday.
In her remarks, The Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Angela B. Colley said “UNAAB’s UFASS programme is a blessing to Africa. I am not surprised, Nigeria is the power house of Africa, West Africa in particular”.
According to her, “With the UFASS Programme, Nigeria is bringing back the African culture of sharing, culture of caring, culture of oneness, which long has been eroded from our society”.
The Gambian High Commissioner added “I am lauding this feat of Nigeria through UNAAB because when you bring these students (graduands) from various parts of Africa to come and study here in UNAAB, Nigeria, for six months free of charge, you have created a platform of friendship that will never die”.
Speaking further, Mrs. Colley described the UNAAB Scholarship as “one of Nigeria’s stepping stones to fully retain her pride of place in Africa. I must say that there is a lot to learn and benefit from Nigeria, and because of this, I will continue to preach the gospel of Nigeria’s ability to lead other African countries”.
She pointed out that “if there’s anybody who believes in the ability of Nigeria, it is the Gambian and that is why The Gambian Attorney-General and Justice Minister is a Nigerian”.
The High Commissioner re-affirmed that “God has blessed Nigeria with every good thing you can think of, the human and mineral resources. We (sic) Nigerians should therefore be able to show the world that there is more good than what you see in Nigeria”.
Giving his remarks, the Liberian Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof. Al-Hassan Conteh thanked UNAAB for offering ten professionals from the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture, scholarships for a six month intensive programme.
Conteh, who was represented by the Protocol Attaché to the Embassy of Liberia in Lagos, Chief Cliff Nzeruem, said the training will go a long way in retooling and re-sharpening scholars’ skills to help meet the needs of agricultural development in post-conflict Liberia.
Speaking in the same vein, Sierra-Leonean Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Henry Macaulay, represented by the Secretary in the Lagos Mission’s Office of the Embassy, Mr. Doddley Eliot, said the training will not only empower the graduands but also strengthen the cordial relationship between Sierra-Leone and Nigeria.
