Professor Gwarzo in Uganda: A Journey of Impact and learning, By Adnan Mukhtar
Before my Journey to Saudi Arabia in November, The President of the MAAUN Group of Universities, my leader and benefactor Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo asked me to be part of his entourage to Uganda in December as he was invited by the International Islamic University in Uganda for its Convocation where more than 5000 students will graduate from the University.
That opened our discussion on the academic activities of the institution. I have come across many Islamic scholars who graduated from the university, it’s a reputable institution of learning and a leading private university in Africa and the world. I told my benefactor that I’d be very grateful to be part of his entourage.
A Hausa saying states: “Tafiya Mabudin Ilimi,” which loosely translates to “Travelling is a pathway to education,” literally pumped my adrenaline excitement for the journey ahead.
It was a 6-hour journey from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport via Ethiopian Airline with transit at Bole International Airport Addis Ababa before boarding another flight to our destination, Entebbe.
Entebbe is a very fine city in Uganda, from the way we were welcomed at the VIP Lounge of the Entebbe International Airport by some officials of International Islamic University in Uganda to our accommodation at Speke Resort Munyonyo, every moment was not only memorable but hospitable.
The city has lots of tourist attractions that captured my awe and I mulled the idea of bringing my family one day to tour the “pearl of Africa.”
As a Pan Nigerian like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, I’m a Pan African who loves his continent and is passionate about African Development.
No doubt, the beautiful city of Entebbe has proven that there is leadership in Uganda even though the current President has overstayed in power, I have no issues with that in as much as the people will be given effective leadership with access to basic amenities.
As an avid golfer, I felt highly saddened that I forgot my golf kits back in Nigeria, especially upon learning that Entebbe is home to the oldest golf course in East Africa, called Entebbe Golf Club, which was established in 1900. It is older than the Kano Golf Club which was established in 1908 with a margin of 8 years in between.
Entebbe Golf Club is surrounded by the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, (formerly Entebbe Zoo), on its south side.
It was a moment of joy when I found a golf course on our way to Mbale where the 33rd convocation ceremony of Islamic University in Uganda will take place.
The golf course which was located at the Nile Park of Jinja City, I played a round of golf with my new friend Philip with a zero handicap. The golf course was up to standard that I enjoyed playing.
My mentor Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo is a Pan African, he has visited more than 30 African countries full of ideas on how to move the continent forward.
He told me that the reason that makes Entebbe a beautiful city is, that it was once the seat of power like Lagos in Nigeria.
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Professor Gwarzo as a commodity exporter further informed me that Uganda has one of the best ginger in the world, and they have one of the best private universities in the world.
The Makerere University is Uganda’s largest and oldest institution of learning. It is the alma mater of many post-independence African leaders, including Ugandan president Milton Obote and Tanzanian presidents Julius Nyerere and Benjamin Mkapa.
The former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, and former Kenyan president the late Mwai Kibaki are also Makerere alumni.
In the years immediately after Uganda’s independence, Makerere University was a focal point for the literary activity that was central to African nationalist culture. Many prominent writers, including Nuruddin Farah, Ali Mazrui, David Rubadiri, Okello Oculi, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, John Ruganda, Paul Theroux, Nobel Prize laureate V. S. Naipaul, and Peter Nazareth, were at Makerere University at one point in their writing and academic careers.
According to the 2023 Sub-Saharan Africa university rankings by Times Higher Education, Makerere University was ranked fifth among the best universities in Africa. It was also ranked as the top university outside of Tanzania and South Africa.
My mentor Professor Gwarzo has a passion for human development, he always wants to make those people close to him happy and the common man.
The first thing that came to his mind at the beginning of our journey was asking me to proceed with my PhD programme at either the International Islamic University in Kampala or Makerere University.
I was touched by this offer, this is someone who is after the personal development of those around him.
The philanthropist Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo is leading a 17-man delegation to IIUU for its Convocation where he donated the sum of 100,000 dollars to the university.
He made the announcement as a special guest of honour during the convocation ceremony of the university held at its main campus at Mbale on Saturday.
The university also presented an award of excellence to Professor Gwarzo for his selfless service towards the development of the university.
While presenting the award, The Council Chairman of the University H.E. Prof. Dr. Muhammad A.S.E.A Altabtabaei from the State of Kuwait commended Gwarzo for giving his all to the university.
“I was informed by the university management of your contributions, on behalf of the council, I wish to extend our appreciation to you”
The MAAUN founder while making his acceptance speech thanked the university for the recognition and announced a donation of 100,000 dollars to the university
On his part, while expressing his appreciation, the Rector of the university in Kampala Prof Dr Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda commended Gwarzo for the gesture and prayed to God to increase the wealth of the founder.
He described Gwarzo as a philanthropist who always kept his word.
“This donation is huge, on behalf of the students and staff of Islamic University in Uganda, we wish to express our sincere appreciation and pray to Allah SWT to bless your wealth”.
Salute to a Pan Nigerian and Pan African. The Professor with fluency in 5 International languages.
Thank you for this opportunity my mentor, my benefactor and my lifetime leader!
Adnan Mukhtar is a PR consultant and university lecturer. He writes from Entebbe, Uganda
