HSN president commends FULafia VC, says he’s visionary, pragmatic leader

The President of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN), Prof. Samuel Aghalino, has described the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, as a visionary and pragmatic leader who excites and inspires his staff to be innovative and productive.

Prof. Aghalino spoke during the maiden induction ceremony of the graduating students of the Department of History and International Studies of the Federal University of Lafia.

Represented by the National Vice President of the society, North-Central Zone, and the Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies of FULafia, Prof. Zarah Emmanuel Kwaghe, Aghalino expressed his gratitude to the vice-chancellor for supporting the department to ensure the success of the induction ceremony.

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 He said:  "I thank the vice-chancellor for his leadership, vision, and propagation of enviable intellectual culture in the University.”

He said that the students who were inducted into the HSN “represent the future of the professional association” which was founded in 1955.

Aghalino describes history as a beacon and pedestal for nation development, character formation, cultural immersion and the driving force for patriotism and nationalism.

In his remark at the ceremony, the vice-chancellor congratulated the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Muhammad Tanko Aliyu, and the Head of the Department of History and International Studies, Dr Thadeous Kyeh for guiding the students and ensuring that they were inducted into the membership of their professional body, the Historical Society of Nigeria.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Aleruchi Chuku, Abdul Rahman felicitated with the students on their successful induction, saying their membership in the society would open many doors for them in the future. 

While calling on those who were yet to be inducted to do so, the vice-chancellor said:  "Life is an opportunity and we must take hold of it.”

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Muhammad Tanko Aliyu, said the event was the first of its kind in the University and commended the head of the department 

and all those who worked to make the event successful. 

He thanked the vice-chancellor and the members of his management team for their untiring support to all faculties and departments in the University, saying that his support has made it possible to regularly organise academic activities. 

In his welcome address, the Head of the Department, of History and International Studies, Dr Thadeous Kyeh, thanked the vice-chancellor for gracing the occasion.

He appreciated him for his support and guidance towards ensuring the success of every academic activity in the department. 

He said the department has graduated seven sets of students since the establishment of the University, noting, however, that this was the first time graduating students were inducted into the professional body of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 

He attributed the success of the induction to the sustained sensitisation of the students by the immediate past president of the HSN, Prof. Okpeh O. Okpeh,  the current National Vice President, North-Central, Prof. Zarah Kwaghe, and the first female student president of the association in the Department, Miss Mercy Funmilayo Olawale.

He said that out of the 46 graduating students, 22 were inducted as members of the HSN.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Director of Research and Creative Thoughts, Professor Sirajudeen Adebayo, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Arts, Dr Ezekiel Abuje, and Head of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Dr Comfort Ukwela.

The high point of the ceremony was the administering of the oath of allegiance to HSN by the new members and presentation of membership certificates to the inductees.