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70th birthday: Boss Mustapha dedicates Lutheran varsity library to father, education devt, future generations

September 5, 2026

By Mohammed Ismail

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has pledged to make education, moral formation and service to humanity enduring pillars of his legacy, saying his decision to support the building of Lutheran University Nigeria (LUN) was inspired largely by the life and sacrifice of his late father, Wesley Mustapha, a veteran educator and headmaster.

Mustapha, who spoke during the dedication of the Library and Administrative Complex of the university in Demsa, Adamawa State on Friday, said, the project represented more than a physical structure, describing it as an investment in knowledge, character and the future of young Nigerians.

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The ceremony which marked the beginning of activities marking his 70th birthday celebration, brought together Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang; religious leaders, traditional rulers, political office holders and other notable dignitaries.

Mustapha said his vision was to help build an institution capable of producing young people who are not only academically and professionally competent but also imbued with integrity, compassion, discipline and a commitment to public service.

According to him, his decision to invest in the university was deeply rooted in the values instilled in him by his father, Wesley, whom he described as a man who devoted his life to teaching and the advancement of education.

He recalled that his father was a primary school teacher and headmaster who personally supervised his early education, adding that the discipline and intellectual foundation he received under his father’s guidance significantly shaped the course of his life.

Mustapha said his father’s commitment to teaching went beyond the classroom, recalling how the educationist prepared his teaching notes diligently before going to class and remained committed to nurturing young minds.

He said the experience convinced him that investing in education was one of the most meaningful ways to honour his father’s memory and provide opportunities for generations yet unborn.

“My life should be a template for the next generation. I want to be a reference point for the next generation,” Mustapha said, stressing that his achievements were not solely about personal advancement but about creating opportunities for others.

He urged young people not to allow their backgrounds to determine their destinies, saying his own journey from the family of a teacher to the office of SGF demonstrated the transformative power of education.

“Your background should be a stepping stone to your future,” he said.

The former SGF said the university would bridge academic excellence with moral responsibility, particularly at a time when rapid advances in knowledge and technology were accompanied by growing concerns about values and character.

In his speech, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State commended Mustapha for choosing to commemorate his milestone birthday through an investment in education rather than personal celebration.

He described the project as an example of how individuals who had benefited from society could deploy their resources to create sustainable opportunities for future generations.

Fintiri urged other privileged Nigerians to emulate Mustapha by investing in education, healthcare, youth development and skills acquisition, noting that government alone could not provide all the resources required to accelerate development.

Also speaking, Governor Mutfwang of Plateau State, who chaired the occasion, praised Mustapha for transforming his personal success into a platform for service, while calling for greater unity among Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.

The Archbishop of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria, Most Reverend Musa Panti Filibus commended Mustapha for his commitment to nurturing a center of educational excellence, describing the facility as a lasting investment in education, knowledge and the future of young people.