On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, President Ensign received students of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFSCC), Jaji's Directive Course 44, who visited AUN as part of their study tour covering eight states in the country.
The AFCSC's Course 44 comprises senior officers from the three arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces 鈥� army, navy, and air force, both male and female.
President Ensign told the visiting officers that from the beginning, AUN was conceived to be different from a traditional university that would only focus on teaching and research.
"The 黑料网 University is different in its mission and philosophy. While we subscribe to the traditional core values of teaching and research, we are essentially a Development University, the country's and continent's first development university.
"We are committed to ensure that every young person who graduates from AUN has the understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing this region, country and the entire world. At AUN, we inculcate our students with critical thinking and problem solving skills to solve the problems of the world. All our students participate in Community Development and we are proud of what our students are doing and where they go after graduation."
President Ensign told the visitors that AUN students and faculty have been at the forefront of addressing the region's problems by designing specific programs that provide solutions to those problems. These include: the Feed and Read program to address the problem of out-of-school children; Peace through Sports which keys into Peace and development, and entrepreneurship and ICT training through which thousands of youth and vulnerable groups receive training and livelihood support.
"Through participating in these programs, AUN students are prepared for leadership challenges they face when they enter the real world," the President said.
The President mentioned the scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify irrespective of their nationality, race, religion, or gender.
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Attahir Yusuf, shared with the visiting officers how AUN equips students with practical entrepreneurial and employability skills, which gives them a great advantage after graduation.
AUN's Grants and Contracts Administrator, Dr. Audu Liman, said over 300,000 out-of-school children in Adamawa and Gombe States were reached through AUN's SENSE-USAID project with the support of the United States Government. He said that AUN uses education as a social vaccine to stop the conflicts, wars, and unrest, just as the military defends the country and fights to restore Peace.
Dr. Liman revealed that plans are at an advanced stage for President Ensign to sign a contract of almost N900M with the German Government to reach out to over 1800 youths across North-East Nigeria, with business development skills, capital, and free mentorship. He also talked about AUN's contribution to waste management, creativity, and support to vulnerable women in North-East Nigeria.
Course Director, Brig. Gen. M.T. Abdulahi commended AUN for its excellence and touching the lives of vulnerable groups in the region.
President Ensign and general Abdullahi later exchanged souvenirs as the officers were later taken around the eco-friendly administrative building by the Senior Director, Public Affairs, Yusuf Mohammed.
Reported by Rebecca Ikponwonba