On the 1st of July, 2021, the governor of Oyo State, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde appointed the Emir of Katagum as the new chancellor for Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to replace Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was appointed as the Chancellor on the 28th of August, 2012.
The decision was contained in a letter of appointment signed by Governor Oluseyi Makinde, which conveyed the Emir’s appointment as the 5th chancellor of LAUTECH.
“I wish to inform Your Royal Highness of your appointment as the Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso,” the letter reads.
“While heartily congratulating Your Royal Highness on this well-deserved appointment, which is a call to serve humanity, the Oyo State Government expects that the university will benefit from your rich knowledge and exposure towards the realisation of the university’s unique vision.”
The newly appointed chancellor, His Royal Highness, Umar Faruq Umar II is the 12th Emir of Katagum and the eldest son of late Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Kabir Umar – the previous Emir of Katagum – who died on the 9th of December 2017.
Katagum is the headquarters of Bauchi North Senatorial District as well as the centre of all social and political activities in Bauchi State, it is bordered by Borno State in the North East and Kano State in the West.
The Emir of Katagum holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the Bayero University, Kano. He retired after 34 years of civil service, during which he served as a federal permanent secretary, special duties at the presidency, ministry of youth development, water resources and solid minerals development. Before his ascension to the throne, he was the district head of Sarkin Shira which was a reserved position for the eldest son of the reigning Emir of Katagum.
