Karu: The Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, has urged scholars, staff, and students to uphold strong moral values, transform their character, and contribute positively to the global community for Nigeria’s development. Ayuba made the call at the university’s third public lecture delivered by Prof. Yusufu Turaki, a distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theology and Social Ethics at the University, on Thursday in Karu, Nasarawa State.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the lecture was entitled, ‘Faith and Scholarship: The Unity of God, Creation, Humanity and Society’. The event was also organized to celebrate Turaki’s 80th birthday and honor his contributions to the university and society. Ayuba expressed the privilege of hosting a distinguished professor whose scholarship and dialogues have significantly contributed to understanding the divine and its relationship to human society. He emphasized that Turaki’s works continue to challenge reflection on the interconnectedness of beliefs with creation and responsibilities as members of a global community.
The vice-chancellor described Turaki as a scholar whose lifelong dedication to theological inquiry, social ethics, and the promotion of dialogue between faith and reason had enriched the academic community and society. Ayuba noted the remarkable journey of Turaki, highlighting his contributions and commitment to truth, justice, and spiritual integrity. Despite the challenges often associated with aging, Turaki remains active in academic, social, and spiritual spheres.
Ayuba acknowledged Turaki’s significant contributions to scholarship, research, mentorship, and community development through publications, lectures, and mentoring. He noted that Turaki’s sustained academic engagement demonstrates that age is no barrier to intellectual vitality. Ayuba expressed confidence that the event would not only enlighten but also encourage living out faith in ways that promote unity, justice, and compassion in society, inspiring all to continue Turaki’s legacy of faith, scholarship, and service.
In his lecture, Turaki explained that God embedded both visible and hidden knowledge within creation, challenging humanity to discover and apply them through scholarship, science, and responsible living. He stated that obedience or disobedience to God’s command for humanity to cultivate and exercise dominion over creation forms the foundation of science, technology, economics, and societal development. Turaki stressed that true scholarship must be rooted in faith, truth, wisdom, and moral integrity, warning against the corruption of knowledge through falsehood and intellectual confusion.
Turaki identified theology and religion, philosophy and metaphysics, as well as science and empirical inquiry, as major channels through which humanity had historically sought knowledge and meaning. He warned against separating knowledge from truth, wisdom, and goodness, emphasizing that knowledge without moral guidance could become dangerous.