The Minister of Education, Chief (Dr) Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, has been conferred with the traditional title of Mene Zinakpa I of Tai (The Academic Star I) by His Royal Majesty, King Samuel L. A. Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, and the Kpite Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State.
The conferment took place in recognition of Dr. Alausa’s contributions to the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s education sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Education congratulated the minister on the honour. The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, described the title as a well-deserved acknowledgment of Alausa’s visionary leadership and impact on national education reform.
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Professor Ahmad particularly commended the Tai Kingdom for recognising Alausa’s pivotal role in the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni, Rivers State.
In his acceptance remarks, Alausa expressed appreciation to King Nnee, the Kpite Council, and the people of Tai for the honour, as well as to the Pro-Chancellor of FUET, Chief (Prof.) Don M. Baridam, for his commendation. He reaffirmed his commitment to positioning FUET as a centre of research, innovation, and environmental sustainability in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Education described the conferment as a historic recognition of Dr. Alausa’s dedication to national service and pledged continued support for his leadership and vision for excellence in education.
