NSUK VC Celebrates Prof. Ari as KOBA ’83 Honors Him With Prestigious Cheetah Award

The Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, Fellow: UNESCO, ACLS, FIIFPN, CBER, on Saturday, 6th December, 2025, joined members of the Keffi Old Boys Association (KOBA) Class of ’83 and other distinguished personalities to celebrate Professor Maikano Mohammed Ari, who was conferred with the prestigious KOBA Cheetah Award.

The honor was in recognition of his outstanding service to KOBA and his contributions to the growth and development of Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

The event, held at the Patient Hall of Government College Keffi, attracted former classmates, senior government officials, traditional leaders, friends, and associates who gathered to celebrate the distinguished academic trajectory and leadership accomplishments of Prof. Ari, himself an alumnus of the historic institution. The occasion was also used to remember and pray for members of class '83 who passed away.

In her remarks as the Special Guest of Honour, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman applauded Prof. Ari’s exceptional dedication to duty and his remarkable achievements as an erudite scholar. She described him as a dependable professional with whom she has had the privilege of working closely even before his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). She commended KOBA ’83 for recognizing Prof. Ari with the Cheetah Award, noting that the honor was well deserved.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Accountant-General of Nasarawa State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Musa Ahmed Mohammed praised KOBA ’83 for celebrating one of their own. He emphasized that recognizing individuals who contribute meaningfully to society serves as a powerful motivation for younger generations. He described Prof. Maikano Ari as “a shining example of the values of discipline, scholarship, and leadership instilled at Government College Keffi.” The Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, represented by Fagacin Keffi called on members of KOBA to preach religious tolerance as one of the ideals of their alma mater. 

In his remarks Chairman of the occasion and the President-General of the KOBA, Alhaji Muhammad B. Lawan, highlighted the significance of the gathering. He expressed the gratitude of KOBA to the Almighty for raising strong Nigerians who have contributed and are still contributing to national development. Earlier in his welcome address, the Leaders of KOBA ’83, Brigadier-General Alwali J. Kazeer (Rtd), noted that Prof. Ari’s elevation to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at NSUK represented not only a personal achievement but also a collective victory for the alumni community, whose members continue to uphold the legacy of Government College, Keffi across various professions. 

In his response, Prof. Maikano Ari expressed profound gratitude to his classmates and the entire KOBA community for the recognition. He described the honor as a call to greater responsibility in advancing educational standards at NSUK and fostering youth development in Nasarawa State. He reaffirmed his commitment to promoting academic reforms, strengthening student support structures, and ensuring that NSUK remains a hub of knowledge, innovation, and character formation. He thanked his wife, Dr. Shemau Abubakar Umar-Ari for supporting and standing by him at all times.

The ceremony radiated nostalgia, academic pride, and communal spirit. Guests were warmly welcomed by KOBA members, who described the event as a symbolic celebration of excellence and dedication to educational advancement in the state. The evening featured goodwill messages, fond recollections of the Class of ’83’s memorable years at Government College Keffi, and renewed pledges toward preserving the school’s legacy.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of customized gifts to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, and the celebrant, Professor Maikano Muhammad Ari.

The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied to the event by Principal Officers of the University.