From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A group from the southern part of Kaduna State, under the auspices of the Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors (FSKP), has criticised those opposing the recently approved federal university in the region.
The Forum specifically took issue with an editorial published by a national newspaper (not Daily Sun) on Tuesday, 7th January 2025, titled “New Federal University a misnomer,” which described the Federal Government’s decision to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, in Kaduna State as a “Greek gift.”
The editorial further argued that “Nigeria is a graveyard of hollow tertiary institutions” due to public universities being grossly understaffed, with dilapidated physical facilities and overstretched resources.
In a statement signed by their Chairman, Prof. John Gambo Laah, the Forum criticised the language used by the editors, stating, “They oppose the establishment of a Federal University in Southern Kaduna. It is truly heart-breaking that a paper claiming to be the most widely read would describe the decision to establish a federal university in Southern Kaduna as ‘wide of the mark and by a wide margin.’
“The Greek gift analogy is not remotely applicable to the Southern Kaduna University, implying that the region would suffer irreparable damage like the Trojan horse was to Troy. It is inconceivable that the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, would be a harbinger of catastrophe for Nigerians.
“Nigerians are aware that all universities, both private and public, face funding challenges. Not establishing the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, as desired by the newspaper, will not solve the funding issues of Nigerian universities.
“The Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors condemns in totality the attempt by the newspaper to oppose the university’s establishment under the guise that existing institutions are hollow. We have never doubted that some would oppose any form of development in Southern Kaduna.
“We view the strong adjectives used by the newspaper as not only appalling but an unkind punch at our collective desires as a people.
“We urge the federal government to reject the newspaper’s call. In the past decade, we have seen an increase in the number of universities and higher educational institutions in Nigeria, which has significantly reduced the high student/staff ratio noted by the newspaper.
“All Nigerians deserve equal access to education, and newspapers have a responsibility to address all forms of discrimination, including educational access. The newspaper’s stance suggests that areas historically denied educational access should continue to suffer due to a lack of government funding for new universities.
“We appreciate the government’s efforts to provide needed services. We hope the unfavourable views expressed by the newspaper do not inform government decisions.
“Our support for the Bill for the Establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is based on the overwhelming desire of the people and was eloquently presented by Distinguished Senator Sunday Marshall Katung. We are encouraged by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s commitment to Nigeria’s development.
“We will continue to support government programmes to ensure progressive development in our country. Stakeholders must prioritise funding for both public and private tertiary education, but this should not hinder the establishment of new universities until perfect funding is achieved.
“The Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is the first of its kind in Nigeria, focusing on experiential learning and user-oriented research. We do not know when the newspaper lost faith in Nigeria, but we share the distress its editorial has caused.
“We thank the National Assembly for unanimously passing the bill promoting pure Science education in Nigeria. Nigeria must not lag in Science education.
“We are grateful to our elected and appointed leaders in Kaduna State, particularly Governor Senator Uba Sani, for their overwhelming support for the university. We also commend Senator Sunday Marshall Katung for his initiatives and zeal, and we call on all members of the National Assembly to continue working together for Nigeria and Kaduna State’s development under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”