By Musa Tanimu Nasidi
The American-European University on Saturday conferred it’s Honorary
Doctorate Degree in Finance and Corporate Governance on the Executive Director, Risk Management Directorate: Keystone Bank, Alhaji Tijjani Ahmad Aliyu.
The conferment of the degree was done by the president of the institution, Professor John Kersey at International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Professor Kersey said that the award was in recognition of the sterling contributions of Dr Aliyu to national development and banking sector.
According to him, the award recognizes the achievements of Nigerians that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their various endeavors, especially in banking industry and economic development
Kersey, who revealed the human development and meritorious service of the awardee as rationale considered before the selection, restated that AEU’s honorary degrees was not for sale.
He added that the university hopes to collaborate with individuals who Excel in their various endeavors within the framework of public-private partnership initiatives for the growth of the country.
In his acceptance speech, Dr Tijjani Ahmad Aliyu who is also the Sardauna Kakanda Kingdom said he was honoured to be awarded the degree by the prestigeous University, the governing council, as well as the Senate of the university.
“I dedicate this prestigious award to my immediate community ,Kakanda kingdom who conferred on me the traditional title of SADAUNA OF KAKANDA KINGDOM. I will admonish all of us that in any position of Authority we find ourselves,we mustn’t look and the pyramid instead we most look behind the pyramid, it’s then we will appreciate our creator for the favor He bestowed on us,we must contribute towards the development of humanity” Aliyu advised.
In his Goodwill message, the Agankyu of Kakanda, HRH Alhaji Muhammed Sanni,
thanked the institution’s authority for deeming one of his traditional title holders (Sardaunan Kakanda) worthy of the award.
Represented by the Shabamiya of Budan, Alhaji Iliyasu Waziri, the monarch said; “Dr Tijjani Ahmad Aliyu is an illustrious son of Kakanda in whom we are well pleased.
“His astute contributions to the development of the banking industry in Nigeria as well as his efforts in pioneering the digitalization of banking services in Nigeria no doubt made Keystone Bank Plc a leader and pacesetter in the industry today.
In his own remarks,the registrar of Sharia Court of Appeal,Khadi Bello Muhammad Bello, described Aliyu as a worthy son of Kakanda kingdom,whose contributions to the development of the area is unparalleled in the annal history of the kingdom.
“We are proud of his achievements, on behalf of the entire people of Kakanda Kingdom, I congratulate him on the honour done to the entire sons and daughters of Kakanda ,the honourary doctorate degree award.conferred on Sadauna is a honour done to the entire Kakanda race” Bello said
In a Goodwill message, Senator Philips Aduda, representing FCT, said; “We are not surprised with your conferment of Doctorate Degree award by the EAU because it is a well-deserved award and we say Congratulations.
The brief ceremony was witnessed by the Honourable Minister of state FCT,Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Traditional rulers, Regional manager, keystone Bank, Alhaji Sule Bijini.
Others are: Hon Haruna Isah, former member Lokoja/ Kogi fed constituency, Dama Of Lokoja ,Alhaji Sulaiman Baba
and Alhaji Bala Haruna Of NNPC Abuja amongst others.
