The commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John-Ochefu Ochai, visited Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria on Wednesday to commend Umar Ka’oje for voluntarily returning N1,153,953.36 mistakenly paid into his bank account.
The money was paid to the don after the expiration of his teaching contract with the military academy.
The visit by the commandant to the university was in addition to a letter of commendation to the professor by the NDA dated September 11.
The commandant was received by Rahanatu Lawal, head of the Department of Political Science and International Studies.
Mr Lawal said “only a few people today could exhibit Prof Ka’oje’s uncommon moral courage,” stressing that “such exemplary character should be emulated.”
In his remarks, the commandant said he had to follow up on the letter of commendation earlier written to the professor with a visit to further show appreciation for his honesty.
He pledged the NDA’s readiness to further honour the professor at an appropriate time.
The commandant also expressed gratitude to the department for its well-established culture of training leaders to be honest and accountable.
In his response, Mr Ka’oje commended the academy.
“The commandant equally deserves commendation for recognising and rewarding honesty,” the ABU professor stated.
