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Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar, AAUN's founder, with AAUN
students in November 2006 |
Overseas Connections
ABTI-American University of Nigeria (AAUN) Celebrates First Annual Founder's Day
LAST NOVEMBER 26, AAUN SALUTED its founder, Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar. "Universities are often founded by true visionaries and leaders, and this was our opportunity to commemorate our founder's extraordinary contributions," said Dr. David Huwiler, AAUN's president.
Vice President Abubakar approached AU in 2003 to establish an American-style university in his home state of Adamawa. Under a five-year management consultancy agreement, AU has guided AAUN in recruitment of administrators and faculty, curriculum development, and construction of physical facilities. AAUN welcomed its first class in September 2005.
At Founder's Day, AAUN Board Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, recalled when secondary schools did not exist in Adamawa and said he could "no longer count the number of schools which the founder has helped start." A student, Olusegon Odeyemi, noted that "we deeply appreciate our founder because today we see a genuine expression of faith in a better society."
Last October, AAUN board member, Robert S. McNamara, the former president of the World Bank, dedicated the new African Center for Information Technology and Communications (ITC) at AAUN to provide ITC services to the campus and community. Dean Muhammadou Kah secured a grant from the MacArthur Foundation and support from board members to establish this unique Center in Africa.
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