Governor Fintiri Commends Former SGF Boss Mustapha’s Educational Investment

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has commended former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, for his significant investment in education and youth development.

The Governor made the commendation on Friday 4th September 2026 during the dedication and commissioning of a library complex donated by the former SGF to the Lutheran University of Nigeria (LUN) in Demsa, Adamawa State.

 The event formed part of activities marking Mustapha’s 70th birthday anniversary.

Governor Fintiri described the occasion as significant, reflecting a shared commitment to friendship, service, and human development.

“Choosing to celebrate a milestone birthday through an investment in education is worthy of commendation. This initiative will have a lasting impact on generations to come,” the Governor stated.

He noted that the library would serve as an important component of the proposed university, providing an environment conducive to research, learning, and innovation.

 According to the Governor, knowledge remains a critical foundation for Nigeria’s development, stressing that creating the right environment for young people to acquire knowledge and skills was a collective responsibility.

Governor Fintiri encouraged the leadership of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) to maintain high academic standards in the proposed university, emphasising the need for academic excellence, integrity, and responsible leadership.

He described LUN as another important chapter in the church’s contribution to society, noting that the institution could become a gateway for knowledge, research, and human capital development.

The Archbishop of LCCN, Most Rev. Dr.  Musa Panti Filibus, while explaining the vision, mission, and strategic importance of LUN, said the vision of establishing the university was rooted in the church’s longstanding commitment to human and educational development.

The Archbishop disclosed that the process of establishing the university was pursued between 2019 and 2023, with the objective of creating an institution that would promote academic excellence and produce leaders of integrity.

According to him, the university will focus on education, skills acquisition, and employment creation, with the ambition of creating a world-class institution capable of producing intellectuals and professionals while contributing to efforts at addressing challenges confronting young people.

Archbishop Filibus revealed that the proposed university was located on approximately 161 hectares of land, with plans for comprehensive infrastructural development, including renewable energy facilities and other essential amenities.

The Chairman of the occasion, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, called on governments at all levels to address the Almajiri system of education and ensure that children were taken off the streets by giving them access to quality education.

Governor Mutfwang described education as a critical tool for transforming the lives of young people and building a prosperous society. He also pledged his support for the establishment of the proposed Lutheran University Nigeria.

In their goodwill messages, former President of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon; former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; and former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, along with representatives of the royal fathers, Kwandi Nunguraya Kurhye Dision Dansanda, and CAN President Rev. Dr. Daniel Okoh amongst others described Boss Mustapha at 70 as a celebration of service to humanity through education and social services that would be remembered for years to come.

The celebrant, Boss Mustapha, in his response, said his decision to establish the university was driven by his desire to contribute to quality education and to honour the memory and legacy of his late father, Wesley Mustapha.

He said his vision was based on the conviction that education and knowledge were essential for young Nigerians to compete effectively, solve societal problems, and contribute to national development.

Mustapha stated that academic excellence and integrity would be central to the operations of the proposed institution, explaining that the project was also a personal commitment to leaving behind a legacy that would inspire future generations.

The former SGF urged young people not to allow their backgrounds to define their future, encouraging them to pursue knowledge, remain confident, and strive to achieve their ambitions.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the Bishop of Shalhoma Diocese and Vice Chairman of LCCN, Bishop Dimga Jones Kadabiyu, said the gathering to celebrate Mustapha’s vision represented Christian values, as the library would become an integral part of knowledge. He added that the complex serves as a beacon of hope and a centre of intellectual connection.

While expressing gratitude to the donor of the library complex who has invested so much in the education of young people and the future of Nigerians, Bishop Kadabiyu called on other spirited individuals to follow suit, noting that it was the only way to define the future of generations yet unborn.

The ceremony attracted government officials, religious leaders, academics, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries from across the country.