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 honour, which recognises Dr. Alausa’s outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s education sector, was celebrated by the Federal Ministry of Education in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo.
According to the statement, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, joined the Ministry’s staff in congratulating Dr. Alausa on the conferment. Professor Ahmad described the title as a “well-deserved recognition” of the Minister’s visionary leadership and transformative achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She commended the Tai Kingdom for acknowledging Dr. Alausa’s pivotal role in the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni, Rivers State.
In his remarks, Dr. Alausa expressed gratitude to the monarch, the traditional council, and the people of Tai for the honour. He also appreciated Chief (Prof.) Don M. Baridam, FAMN, Pro-Chancellor of FUET, for his commendation and pledged continued commitment to positioning FUET as a hub for research, innovation, and environmental sustainability.
The Ministry described the conferment as a historic recognition of Dr. Alausa’s dedication and patriotic service to national development, reaffirming its support for his leadership and vision for educational excellence in Nigeria.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
