Northern students honour NigComSAT boss

The National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS) has honoured the chief executive of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSAT) Limited, Mr. Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, with “The Sardauna Award.”

The award is a leadership prize for excellence and patriotism.

The conferment was conducted during a courtesy visit to the corporate headquarters of NIGCOMSAT Ltd, at Lugbe, Abuja.

Leading the delegation, NANNS president, Comrade Ibrahim Alih said the honour was in celebration of an icon and a technological guru who has given in kind to the society.

Alih noted that the strength of a man’s character is not where he stands at the time of comfort but his belief in the future even in the faces of surmountable challenges.

According to him, Rufai was honoured due to his exceptional character and leadership qualities, which made himself an available tool for national development and integration, describing him as a quintessential, detribalized and amiable personality.

Rufai, NANNS leadership said, is a pillar of hope to the upcoming generation of youth who are regarded as the leaders of tomorrow.

Apart from his transparent, accountable and dedication, the group said Rufai has shown courage in his leadership style at NigComSAT.

He stressed that he has contributed towards the delivery of good results in the areas of enhanced telecommunication system through the satellites.

A press statement made available to ITRealms Online by NigComSAT, quoted Alih as saying that rebranding Nigeria would not be complete without mentioning and appreciating Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of human endeavours, hence the emergence of Ahmed-Rufai as the winner of the prestigious award.

He explained that the award is for patriots and heroes of freedom who have made enormous sacrifices for the unity and oneness of Nigeria especially in the reconstruction and re-engineering of the largest and most populated country in Africa.

They further described Rufai, as one of the few exceptional personalities who have distinguished themselves in every ramification and urged him to use his office to intensify efforts in developing Nigeria’s communication satellite, which will hopefully usher in greater opportunities for students and youth in the future.

The students also presented Rufai a certificate as the 2009/2010 Youth Ambassador for Change in recognition of his enormous positive contributions to youth empowerment, educational development, technological development, humanitarian services and dedication to nation building.

Responding, Mr. Rufai appreciated the students for the award, stating that in celebrating 50 years of Nigeria’s independence, President Goodluck Jonathan should declare a state of emergency on all Nigerian education institutions.

“The quality of education in Nigerian is in a sorry state with qualitative education having been taken out of reach of the average Nigerian,” he said.

Rufai also lamented that there seem to be no agenda for the Nigerian students, pointing out that if monies used by the rich to send their children abroad, could be channeled into developing the education system in Nigeria, things could be better.

He enjoined the students to always look at the general goals of everyone as all default situations should not be an issue.

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