Ado Salisu
The establishment of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN) has been described as one of the great dreams of its late founder, Sheikh Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu
The vice chancellor of KHAIRUN University, Professor Abdulrashid Garba, made the assertion during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of People Living with Disabilities IDPD, organized by KHAIRUN and CGS BUK, Learning Disabilities and Education Consult (LEDEC) and Bunny Hugs Therapy.
According to him, the late Islamic scholar, businessman and philanthropist, was keen on supporting persons with special needs to become educated.
The Vice Chancellor explained that the university’s founder, during his lifetime contributed positively to the improvement of the lives of persons with disabilities while promoting inclusivity.
Professor Garba explained that, the aim of the event is to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of individuals with disabilities in the community and beyond.
“They have done this by awarding a special scholarship to some percentage of people with special needs to study different courses in the university,’’ he explained.
He urged wealthy individuals and government at all levels to do everything possible with a view to improving the status of people with special needs.
Professor Garba expressed the university’s readiness to support and encourage the people with special needs to further their studies in order to discourage them from street begging.
In his remarks, the former Secretary to the State Government of Kano state, Alhaji Usman Alhaji commended the university’s management for organizing the event which he described as a landmark, urging them to keep it up.
He however, charged the students to be good ambassadors of their respective communities, especially in supporting one another for the overall development of the university.
Some of the students who spoke at the occasion described the international day as a way of encouraging and motivating the people with special needs to excel.
Highlights of the event include presentation of gifts as well as group photographs.
The theme of the conference, held at the university’s premises, is: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”