Leadership (Abuja)
Golu Timothy
29 September 2008
Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa , was among six distinguished scholars and international statesmen that were yesterday named into the Board of Trustees of the American University of Nigeria , (AUN) Yola.
Others whose appointments were announced include Prof. Pat Utomi, Ambassador John Campbell, Sir Marrack Goulding, Mr. Greg Wyler, and Dr. Enyantu Ifenne.
Utomi is professor of entrepreneurship and Director of the Centre for Applied Economics at the Lagos Business School ; Campbell is former US Ambassador to Nigeria ; and Greg Wyler is an American technology entrepreneur and CEO of Terracom , Rwanda .
Sir Marrack was former warden of St. Anthony's College, Oxford University in the UK , while Nigeria 's Enyantu Ifenne is a world-famous public health consultant.
The appointment were announced in Abuja yesterday by the University's founder, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, after the sixth meeting of the Board held for the first time at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja.
Board Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, had earlier confirmed the appointment of Archbishop Tutu. "The entry of one of Africa's foremost clergymen to the AUN Board is a major achievement for education in Africa . Tutu's wise counsel and devotion to the future of our continent is invaluable," he said.
In his letter of acceptance, Archbishop Tutu said, "I am happy to accept the offer from the founders of AUN to serve the University. I am mindful of the honor bestowed on me in inviting me to join your Board of Trustees and participate in the on-going development of your institution."
The Board has also confirmed Dr. Michael Smith, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, as President of the University. His appointment takes effect from 1st November 2007.
Dr. Smith had since 1st June 2007, occupied this position in acting capacity.
The six new Trustees join an array of distinguished local and international personages already on the Board.
Among them: Prof. Lou Goodman, Dean of the School of International Service and Prof. Robert Pastor, Vice President for International Affairs at the American University in Washington D.C., Dr. Robert McNamara, former World Bank President and US Defence Secretary, Dr. (Mrs.) Jamilah Atiku-Abubakar, Adamu Abubakar, Jackie Chanrai, Executive Chairman, the Chanrai Tulsi Foundation UK, shipping magnate Chief Peter Okocha, and retired CEO of Platinum-Habib Bank, Akin Kekere-Ekun.
The American University of Nigeria Yola (formerly ABTI-American University ) was created in partnership with the American University in Washinton DC , United States , in response to the demand for high-quality, American-style higher education in West Africa . Its stated goal is to educate the next generation of leadership in West Africa , and therefrom become an important part of the solution to the continent's pressing social and economic problems.
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