Latest News From NOUN - As NOUN VC ( Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu ) clocks 61......

April 25th of any year always comes full of activities of scholarships and national service for Professor Abdalla Uba Adamu, the Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria.

But very few people notice that the same day equally marks the birthday of the erudite scholar, because, to him, personal celebration plays the second fiddle to general or national celebration.

Typical of him, this year proves to be no different. As he marks his 61st birthday today, the sexagenarian vice chancellor is currently away in Lagos on a working visit.

He's doing what he knows best and focused on repositioning the university that he now heads, again, pushing to the background the symbolic birthday celebration.

But as someone close to him and therefore opportune to know the date, I decided to bring it into the fore, even as we drive through the traffic of the cosmopolitan Lagos, Nigerians and indeed the international community will join the 'party' from their bases.

Since his assumption in office as Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, Professor Adamu did not mince words in clearly making his intent known to everybody: reposition the West Africa's largest university for the better and entrench a sound scholarship.

That's why it is not surprising that the name NOUN rings a bell now more than ever before, because of the innovations  and improvements that daily resonate in the media.

Suffice it to say, even as the celebrant is busy addressing the files and issues of the university, these few words would be enough to supplant the birthday cake that we soberly missed today. But we would never miss his concerns, commitment, courage and passion for excellence.

And that is why I ask all to join me, alas in absentia, in celebrating this rare gem and a man of scholarlistic mien as he turn 61.

Happy birthday .

By Abdulrahman Abdullahi