From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Over 100 university dons under the aegis of the Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors (FOSKAP) have said the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia in Kaduna is the desire of the Southern Kaduna people.
The professors were reacting to the Punch Editorial which saw the establishment of the university as a “Greek gift”.
A statement issued by the chairman of the forum, Professor John Gambo Laah, which was made available to newsmen in Kaduna said the forum of professors from the zone is in full support of the initiative.
The statement noted: “Ever since the desire to push for the establishment of a Federal University in Southern Kaduna began in 2018, the Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors has consistently and considerably been reaching out to all stakeholders to express its overwhelming support for the university.
“The principle behind our total support for the Bill for the Establishment of Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is the fact that the bill was articulated based on the outcome of uncommon desire by the people and was eloquently presented by our Distinguished Senator Sunday Marshall Katung.
“We were spurred on by the realization that the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, was more than ever before committed to the development of Nigeria. We will continue to reiterate firmly our resolve to always support the programmes of government to ensure progressive development of our country.
“We agree that all stakeholders must continue to ensure that the funding of both public and private tertiary education in Nigeria is given top priority, however, we cannot shy away from the establishment of new universities in Nigeria until we achieve perfect funding.
“The Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia is the first of its kind in Nigeria. The university will mainstream experiential learning at its fullest under a research culture that will be user-oriented.
“We do not know at what point the Punch lost faith in Nigeria; we, however,, share the deep distress that the Punch editorial has brought to many people.
“We are very grateful to the Distinguished Senators and the entire members of the National Assembly for their foresight in ensuring that the bill which seeks to promote pure Science education in Nigeria is unanimously passed by both chambers. Nigeria must not be left behind in the area of Science education.
“We also thank the elected and appointed leaders in Kaduna State that have seen the benefits of working in harmony for the good of the State. We are particularly thankful to our governor, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, for his overwhelming support for the establishment of a federal university in Southern Kaduna.
“We are grateful to our resourceful senator and promoter of the new university, Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung for his initiatives and zeal. Indeed, the support of all other members of the National Assembly has been unprecedented and legendary.
“We will continue to call on them to join hands for the common good so that Nigeria and Kaduna State continue to experience development under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” the statement stressed.
