The Federal Ministry of Education has celebrated the conferment of a traditional title on the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Olatunji Alausa, who has been honoured as Mene Zinakpa I of Tai — translated as The Academic Star I — by the Tai Kingdom in Rivers State.
The title was bestowed by His Royal Majesty, King Samuel L. A. Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, alongside the Kpite Council of Traditional Rulers, in recognition of Dr. Alausa’s role in advancing educational development in the region, particularly through the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni.
In a statement on Monday, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, praised the honour as a fitting acknowledgment of Dr. Alausa’s “visionary leadership and transformative contributions” to Nigeria’s education sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Responding to the recognition, Dr. Alausa expressed gratitude to the monarch, traditional council, and people of Tai Kingdom. He also appreciated Chief (Prof.) Don M. Baridam, Pro-Chancellor of FUET, for his commendation. The minister reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the newly established institution into a national centre of excellence for research, innovation, and environmental sustainability.
The Ministry described the conferment as historic and pledged continued support for Dr. Alausa’s efforts to advance educational excellence across Nigeria.
