…VC links sports development with economic growth
By Ado Salisu
Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu University (KHAIRUN), Kano, has launched newly constructed basketball and tennis courts, with its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulraheed Garba, emphasizing that sports has become one of the fastest-growing industries in the global economy.
Prof. Garba highlighted that sports is now a lucrative business, with the potential to integrate seamlessly with education in the near future. He noted that sports now play a strategic role in the socio-economic development of nations worldwide.
The university, he explained, is deeply committed to promoting sports, which has led to the provision of world-class sports facilities designed to inspire students to develop their skills. This initiative is intended to prepare them for participation in both national and international sporting events.
Encouraging students to intensify their efforts to achieve their goals, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that a combination of education and sports can propel them to greater heights on the global stage.
He commended the university’s proprietor for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of education, urging students to make full use of the newly launched facilities to achieve their ambitions.
As a former basketball star, Prof. Garba, who is renowned for his athletic prowess, underscored the unique and invaluable significance of combining education with sports.
In his address, the guest speaker, Prof. Musa Garba Yakasai, stated that sports serves as a unifying force for Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. He added that it is a powerful tool for enhancing the global image of nations that invest significantly in the sector.
Also speaking, former Vice Chancellor of Northwest University, Prof. Mustapha Isa, and KHAIRUN’s Registrar, Yusuf Datti, both encouraged students to take full advantage of the new facilities to enhance their personal and professional growth.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the university’s Director of Sports, Aishatu Dauda, who promised to work diligently towards the continued promotion and development of sports within the state.
The occasion was highlighted by the official unveiling of the courts by Professor B.A. Haruna from the Faculty of Law at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and a novelty match featuring selected students from the university.