By Fcvour Chioma
The Minister of Education, Chief (Dr.) Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, has been conferred with the traditional title of Mene Zinakpa I of Tai meaning “The Academic Star I” by His Royal Majesty, King Samuel L. A. Nnee, the Gbenemene of Tai Kingdom, and the Kpite Council of Traditional Rulers in Rivers State.
The honour, according to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Folasade Boriowo, celebrates Dr. Alausa’s exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s education sector and his unwavering commitment to human capital development.
Congratulating the Minister, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the title as a “well-deserved recognition” of Dr. Alausa’s visionary leadership and transformative reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Professor Ahmad lauded 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 a landmark project aimed at advancing research, innovation, and sustainable development.
In his response, Dr. Alausa expressed deep appreciation to King Nnee, the Tai traditional council, and the people of the kingdom for the honour. He also commended Chief (Prof.) Don M. Baridam, FAMN, the Pro-Chancellor of FUET, for his encouragement and partnership in driving academic excellence.
Dr. Alausa reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening Nigeria’s education system, emphasizing that the new recognition would inspire greater efforts toward positioning FUET and other institutions as hubs for innovation and environmental sustainability.
The Ministry described the conferment as a historic acknowledgement of Dr. Alausa’s patriotism, dedication, and service to national development and reaffirmed its confidence in his leadership and vision for educational excellence in Nigeria.
