“Wisdom, compassion and courage are the three universally recognised moral qualities of men” – Confucius.
Three years ago, Professor Umaru Pate was appointed by the former President of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Gombe State.
Pate who is regarded within and outside academia as a ” golden fish” has paid his dues to humanity through raising human resources in all strata of the society.
A Professor of media and society has his academic baptism from the University of Maiduguri in Borno State where he meritoriously rose to and handled different positions before carrying out this shining academic versatile to Bayero University, Kano and now Federal University Kashere as the Vice- Chancellor of the prestigious institution, rare gem and a achiever whose magic touch is electrifying.
His magic touch, no doubt,is pronounced in the University as the first Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere to establish single – handedly a department of mass communication that is running first degree to Doctor of Philosophy ( Ph.D) with the state -of -art facilities.
For instance , the notable FUK radio that transmits it’s frequency to neighbouring states of Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe states and it’s environs is the brainchild of Professor Umaru Pate.
This scholar of repute is courageous, intelligent, hard working,compassion, is not done yet, he is busy equipping the students practically through attending seminars, conferences and workshops outside the university with the aim and purpose of building future reputable mass communicators and future leaders across the globe as shown through his records at University of Maiduguri, Bayero University and now Federal University Kashere in Gombe State.
Apart from the massive transformation of the University through the provision of infrastructural facilities, building and renovating, hostels, lecture rooms, staff- offices, etc with the meagre resources at his disposal, Professor Umaru Pate has used and continuing using his dynamism, international connections, his national and international friends and colleagues abroad to fund most of the projects in the University which FUK radio is an attestation of his achievement.
Do we write on other activities he has brought, go to the department of mass communication, FUK, for example, to see for yourself the quality of furniture in radio stadio, offices ,decks, cameras, newsrooms, air conditioners and other facilities in the radio section have the hands and touch of MacArthur foundation through Professor Umaru Pate.
Also, as part of developing human resources in the country needed to move the political, economic, social and academic trajectories, on 25th to 27th, July,2024, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Umaru Pate organised ” A two – day roundtable meeting on issues and challenges in Investigative and data – driven Journalism in North-East Nigerian Media” at the Entrepreneurship Centre of Federal University Kashere.
This event which brought together Journalists, Media Professionals and Experts to discuss the unique challenges faced in Investigative reporting and the use of data in Journalism within the region had reputable personalities and media gurus in roundtable conference.
Among them is Dr. Kola Shettima who is the Director, MacArthur foundation, Africa Office and doubles as the chairman of the occasion and Professor Ralph Akinfeleye from the University of Lagos as the Special Guest of Honour.
The Keynote speaker is an erudite scholar who is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Professor Umaru Pate, Lead Speakers are Dapo Olorunyomi, who is the Chief Executive officer, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development,West Africa, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Country Director, Transparency International and also CEO,CISLAC, and Professor Wilson Joseph, Head of Department, Mass Communication of FUK as the host.
Other lead Speakers are Dr Abdulmutalib Ado, Head of Department, Mass Communications, University of Maiduguri and Alhassan Yahya, Deputy National President of Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ).
