Ahmed Baita-Garko, the first professor of Computer Science in Kano State, has said that it is a major challenge on him to impart the knowledge he had acquired to the younger ones in society.
Speaking at a grand reception in honor of his professorship award organised by his family and friends, held in Garko Local Government area of Kano State on Saturday, Mr Baita-Garko, said becoming a professor in any field is not an easy task.
According to him, being a professor entails hard work, passion and dedication.
He said it is now a major challenge on him to see that his community and beyond benefit from his knowledge.
Mr Baita-Garko, who was awarded the professor last year at the Federal University Dutse, FUD, Jigawa State, therefore promises to initiate a computer foundation for the younger ones in Kano and Jigawa.
According to him, the foundation would be established to create awareness on the importance of computer education among youths in various institutions across the states.
“Today I am overwhelmed with joy and happiness by seeing my family and friends organising this event for me. I thank almighty Allah for giving me this golden opportunity to become a professor in computer science.
“This is a major challenge on me. But, I will try my best to see that I use the little knowledge I have acquired on our younger ones.
“God willing, I will initiate a foundation in a bid to create awareness and spread the computer education among our youth in Kano and Jigawa, and even beyond,” he said
One of his associates, Murtala Muhammad, who presented a paper on the importance of education to societal development, described the celebrant as hardworking and brilliant.
Mr Muhammad also called on youth to acquire computer knowledge in view of its importance in modern days.
Born on January 2, 1973, Mr Baita-Garko, who had never studied abroad, started education in Garko Central Primary in 1980 to 1986.
After graduating from Government Science Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa in Kano, from 1990 to 1993, Mr Baita-Garko then got admission to study Computer Science in Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto State from 1993 to 1998.
He then acquired Masters in Computer Science in Bayero University Kano, in 2009, after which he obtained his PhD in the same field in Moddibo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State.
Mr Baita-Garko worked with the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL between 2001 and 2005. He later joined Kano University of Science and Technology, KUST, as a lecturer.
In 2013, Mr Baita-Garko moved to FUD, as a senior lecturer, where he rose to become the Head of Department, HOD, Computer Science.
He supervised over 100 undergraduate student projects, and over 20 post-graduate research works.