The Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori has been conferred with honorary Doctorate degree in International Relations and Diplomacy by the African Institute for Administration, Science and Commerce (IAEC, University Togo), Lome. He was also inducted as a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the university.

Dalori was one of the African leadership icons honoured by the institute at its fifth convocation ceremony which took place in the Togolese capital on Saturday.

According to a statement in Lome by Dalori's Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Hon. Yemi Akinbode, Dalori was honoured due to his rising profile and influence in leadership and politics in Nigeria, and the West African sub-region.

At the ceremony, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Shamsudeen Akande Busari commended Dalori for his excemplary leadership qualities, which he said had endeared him to a vast majority of Nigerian political leaders, describing him as an astute grassroots politician in northern Nigeria.

The Vice Chancellor said: “You have been carefully chosen for this special award because of your track record and history of dedication, selflessness and commitment to the promotion of the ideals of democracy, good governance and grassroots development which you have used to nuture and promote party politics in Nigeria. You are one of the seven people drawn from across the African continent for special hounour at today's Convocation anniversary taking place in Lome.

“Your track record of grassroots democracy, which began about 32 years ago in Nigeria, has become a landmark in Borno State and beyond. You have been able to raise and built a new generation of Nigerian political actors who have continued to make tremendous contributions to leadership development in Nigeria. This institution is proud to be associated with you because you have shown political connectivity through passion, loyalty and advancement of the principles of equity and fairness at the grassroots.

“As a recipient of our distinguished award, you have become an advocate for this institution in her quest to promote the ethos of good leadership, inspire a new realm of democratic culture and commitment to the collective interest of the people of Africa. We believe this Award will inspire you to lead more, do more and help build a united, prosperous and fair society. Based on the power invested in me by the Governing Council I wish to hereby respectfully induct you into the university's BoT.

A former Borno State Commissioner, Engr. Kabir Wanori, who led a powerful delegation of political leaders from Nigeria to the event, on behalf of Dalori, expressed the gratitude of the people of Kodunga Local Government Area and Borno State in general to the Council and Senate of the institution for finding "this great Kanuri man worthy of the institution's prestigious award”.

He said: “We want to express our deep gratitude to the Council and Senate for choosing our leader, friend and son for this great honour. It seems you have an eagle eye that is inspired by a strong vision and character. The reason am saying this is that, Alhaji Dalori is a quite, humble and good leader. He does his things quietly without playing to the gallery, and always running away from the spotlight. This is who he is, a man of the people, a community man in the real sense of the word.

“As a silent achiever, he always shy away from public glare. So when he called me to lead the delegation to this ceremony, I was surprised that this will unveil his good character, a situation he runs away from. I know many universities from around the globe have inundated him with this kind of Awards, but he has always turned them down. We have been friends and class-mates since we were young, together with His Excellency, the present Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima. We know Dalori as a quite and hardworking successful man. So this Award is a special one. This is the first time i will see the recipient being delighted at an event like this.

“This award is special to him. To whom much is given, much is expected. I want to assure the authorities of this great institution, that at the fullest of time, Alhaji Bukar Dalori will find time to visit you to discuss areas of possible collaboration and support. He has asked me to express his gratitude and appreciation for this great honour, and also express his regret and apologies for not being able to be physically present at today's event in Togo, due to a very important national duty that require his presence elsewhere.

“On behalf of the Dalori's family, friends and the good people of Borno State, I want to express our profound gratitude for honouring a great man and icon of political leadership in Nigeria.

Dalori's team to the event included member Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Bukar Modu; Chairman of Kodunga Local Government Area, Hon. Wakil Kyari; APC Chairmanship candidate for the local government, Hon. Abba Ali Abbari; and Akinbode.

During the convocation ceremony, seven honorary Doctorate degrees were awarded to many African leaders, including Dr. Kaposchichi Sairas (Benin Republic), Hon. Aminu Yakub Ladan (Niger State, Nigeria), and Major Abdulrahman Ali Baba (rtd.).

The first private university in Togo, African Institute for Administration, Science and Commerce was established by a foremost Togolese taxation expert and founder of the Peoples Delocratic Party of Togo, Dr. Basseba Kagbara, in 1986 to promote excellence in education and the vision of quality education across countries in Africa.

Presently, IAEC University of Togo has campuses in Benin Republic, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Central Africa Republic, Niger and Gabon.

•PHOTO: From left; Leader from Konduga LGA, Borno State, Hon. Abah Abbari; former Borno State Commissioner, Engr. Kabir Wanori (receiving certificate of induction as a member of BoT IAEC University, Togo on behalf of Alhaji Ali Bukar Dalori); and former Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Martins Babale, in Lome, Togo on Saturday

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