General Abdulsalami Abubakar calls on Kufuor as UEW confers doctorate on him

By Edmund Smith-Asante

General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Former Prez John Kufuor with their wives after the visit

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday received former Nigerian Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar at his home in Accra, when the former Nigerian leader paid a courtesy call on him.

Nigeria’s eighth military head of state is in the country to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), alongside former President Jerry John Rawlings and a former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the UEW, Professor Jophus Anamuah-Mensah.

Gen Abubakar was at Mr Kufuor’s residence to pay a courtesy call on him, and also in response to an invitation by the former President to “break bread”.

Welcoming the General to his home, Mr Kufuor said, “I believe the bonds between our two countries are being strengthened with this conferment. We pray for ever growing fraternal relationships between our two countries and also on the personal level.”

Back home

In his response, General Abubakar said, “I am very happy to be back home” adding that there was no way he was coming to Ghana and not meet with Mr Kufuor.

He recounted how former President Kufuor had always received him in Ghana during his tenure, when he visited because they had “a hard nut to crack during the Liberian peace talks”.

“I want to thank you again for all the support and understanding during that period. Nigeria and Ghana are inseparable. I think Ghana and Nigeria have come a long way and this type of honour is not only being given to me but to Nigeria and I want to prematurely thank the university for honouring me.”

He also thanked Mrs Theresa Kufuor, who was present, for always catering for him and his entourage whenever they were in Ghana.

Gen Abubakar’s entourage included his wife and three of his six children. They were accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of UEW, Prof. Akwasi Asabere-Ameyaw.

UEW Special Congregation

The special congregation at which the three would be honoured is scheduled to take place on August 14, and will be preceded by a series of lectures to be delivered by General Abubakar, on the theme: “Sustaining Excellence in Educational Leadership for Accelerated National Development”.

According to the UEW, General Abubakar is being honoured for the exemplary role he played in ensuring that the Federal Republic of Nigeria stayed on the course of democracy during his tenure of office.

Former President Rawlings is also being recognised for his passion and love for education, his sacrifices for the establishment of the UEW, and also his boldness to reform the educational sector during his leadership of the country.

For his part, Prof. Anamuah-Mensah is being honoured for his immense role in steering the affairs of the then University College of Education, Winneba, to gain full autonomy, and also for his contribution to shaping educational policy in Ghana.

Writer’s email: Edmund.Asante@graphic.com.gh 

This was first published by the Daily Graphic on August 12, 2014