Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is among the notable Nigerians that the University of Jos, Nigeria will confer an honorary degree on during its 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony slated for June 23,2018.
In a letter signed by Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako, the Vice- Chancellor of the university and addressed to the NCC boss, the university said that: “As a distinguished Professor and Executive whose agency has been a hub for communication and has impacted us greatly, the university is, therefore, delighted to choose and confer on you an honorary Doctorate Degree”.
In the same vein, a high-powered delegation of the University led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Prof Teresa Nmadu, who paid a courtesy call to the commission’s Headquarters recently in Abuja, told Danbatta that the university made the decision to honour him after critically reviewing his accomplishments at the helm of the affairs of the regulatory body.
“Before we came, we had already sent a letter to you. We still decided to formally come to intimate you further, while hoping that you will accept this honor,” she said.
She particularly highlighted various interventions by the Commission in the Nation’s tertiary institutions, which the university was among the beneficiary as key to the decision to honor the EVC.
Responding, Danbatta who said that he was humbled by the recognition further noted that the honor was not for him alone but to the entire staff of the NCC.
“Universities are established in order to conduct teaching, research and community services. And I see what we are doing outside the confines of the university as an extension of the community service. It doesn’t matter whether it’s at local, state or at federal level; its service to communities, service to society and service to humanity.
“Those are clearly the ideals on which universities, all over the world, are established. If through community service, therefore, we are recognized as giving outstanding contributions to society and humanity, I think that’s the most important recognition any academic can think of,” he pointed.
Continuing, Danbatta expressed delight for succeeding in adding a modest chapter in the book of the success story started by his predecessors in the commission.
Apart from broadband penetration level, which has received a major boost during his tenure, growing from less than 8% to 22% according to ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, NCC and Danbatta have received numerous recognitions from across the world.
Some of the silverware include: European Award for Best Practices 2016 by an EU Organisation, in Brussels Belgium, Exceptional Public Service Performance in the Platinum Category (Bureau of Public Service Reform) and Leadership Newspapers Award of Government Agency of the Year Danbatta is Chief Executive Officer of the Year of Tell Magazine and other organizations.
