The University of Ilorin and its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, last Monday (April 7, 2014) bagged Atwo separate Awards by the Nigerian Youth Parliament in recognition of the giant strides of the University under the leadership of Prof. Ambali.

While the University was presented with the Nigerian Youth Parliament's 2013 Parliamentary Certificate of Credence, the Vice-Chancellor was conferred with the Centenary Leadership Award and inducted into the Nigerian Youth Parliament 5th Anniversary Hall of Fame.

Presenting the two Awards to the Vice-Chancellor, the leader of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon. Umar Farouq, explained that the Youth Parliament was a creation of an Act of the National Assembly under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. He added that the body is made up of 109 youth parliamentarians representing the various senatorial districts in the country.

Farouq disclosed that the choice of Prof. Ambali for the Award was arrived at after a thorough assessment, adding that the Vice-Chancellor came tops in his category with a cumulative aggregate of 85.43 per cent.

The Youth Parliamentarian said, “Your activities as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin have become a benchmark for the measurement of quantitative and qualitative services, integrity and commitment to excellence. You have shown that there are still men of integrity in Nigeria who are translating into reality the Transformation Agenda of the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.”

Farouq said that the Award was just a token of appreciation to spur the Vice-Chancellor to do more, urging him never to rest on his oars.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the Nigerian Youth Parliament for recognising the contribution of the University to education in Nigeria, noting that the work has not been easy but that the University has enviable work force and quality students.

Prof. Ambali told the youth group that the University is working hard without overblowing its achievements. “We give glory to God for what we have done. This kind of recognition is a source of encouragement to us,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was accompanied by other Principal Officers of the University to receive the award, stressed that his administration had not executed 20 per cent of its plan, adding that with the continued help of God, the University would exceed its present achievements in few years to come.

Other members of the Nigerian Youth Parliament at the event included Hon. Bashir Umar, Hon. Saliu Nimat, Hon. Alimi S. Aliyu, Hon. David Noah, Hon. Mbatsav Kennedy, Hon. Musa Bimbo and Hon. Ibiwoye Olawale.