UNIJOS SCHOLAR ELECTED VP OF NIGERIAN ACADEMY OF LETTERS (NAL)
A Distinguished Scholar and Professor of Linguistics from the Department of Linguistics, and Nigerian Languages, University of Jos, Professor Andrew Haruna, FNAL has been elected as the Vice-President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL). By his election, Professor Haruna who is the immediate-past Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Gashua and current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Bingham University, Karu, becomes the second person from the Northern part of Nigeria to take up such a position in the apex body of Arts and Humanities in Nigeria. In addition Prof. Haruna will automatically assume the position of the Academy after two years when the tenure of the President expires.
The Nigerian Academy of Letters is a national academy that is autonomous, scholarly and non-political established for advancing scholarship and public interest in the humanities at the highest level in Nigeria.
Established in 1974 after the recommendation of the “Udoji Report of 1974”, it is currently governed by an Executive Committee of Distinguished Professors led by Professor Duro Oni.
Among the foundation Fellows of this prestigious autonomous learned society are Professor Ayo Bamgbose – who is the Foundation President Professor Chinua Achebe,
Professor Tekena Tamuno, Professor J. P. Clark-Bekederemo, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, and Professor Munzali Jubril – Former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission.
In his acceptance speech, Professor Andrew Haruna, appreciated the Elders, Fellows and Members of the Academy for their confidence in his ability to contribute his quota to the development of the respected body at this level.
He assured them that they will not be disappointed for electing him into the exalted office and expressed his intention to deploy his vast academic exposure, experience and pedigree in lifting their hopes and aspirations through absolute loyalty, hard work and commitment to the ideals of the Academy.
The Distinguished Linguist believes that working together as a team, they will ensure that the glory and excellent drives of the Academy will become more evident and widely recognised.
- Report by Information and Publications Division