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Bishop Kukah Inaugurated As Chairman Of Southern Kaduna University
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukah, on Friday, characterized the creation of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia (FUASK) in Kaduna State as a divine tool for fostering growth and development within the region.
Kukah expressed this viewpoint in Abuja at the inauguration ceremony for the university’s Governing Council and Principal Officers.
The event was led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who appointed Kukah as the Chairman of the Governing Council.
He committed to making every effort to promote the advancement of the university.
In his remarks, Kukah stated: “The establishment of this university is a realisation of God’s intervention.
“Nigeria may have its own challenges and will continue to have them.
“But I can assure you, Mr Minister, that 60 per cent of the problems in Southern Kaduna have now been solved with the establishment of this university.
“We will not look back—because if God wanted us to, He would have given us an eye at the back of our heads.
“We hold no bitterness. Despite everything, we remain one of the most educated regions in Northern Nigeria.
“Today, Southern Kaduna has no fewer than 200 professors.
“The education we have received, which has brought us this far, is the same education that I personally benefited from, thanks to the missionaries.
“By locating this University of Applied Sciences here, you have given us the tools we need to move forward.”
At the inauguration, Alausa remarked that the founding of the university is a component of extensive educational reforms designed to enhance technical and vocational training.
He noted that the initiative aims to bolster STEM education, decrease the number of children not attending school, and encourage education for girls.
He elaborated that the university will provide advanced courses in applied sciences and mentioned intentions to establish a College of Medicine.
The minister underscored that the establishment of the university is a purposeful initiative to foster development in Southern Kaduna and to advance equity and justice throughout Nigeria.
“The Ministry of Education will provide maximum support. We are working tirelessly to ensure this institution starts on the right footing.
” We have already written to JAMB to include the university in its admission portal for student applications.
“The resource verification process is underway, and I recently discussed it with the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“NUC visitation to the university is scheduled for April 7. Once completed, we will finalise all necessary processes at the Federal Ministry of Education,” the Minister noted.
Alausa further indicated that the university would provide programs in applied sciences, chemistry, physics, environmental sciences, and medical sciences.
In response, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa assured that sufficient security measures would be implemented for the university.
He also expressed optimism that the institution would evolve into a centre of excellence that promotes unity among all Nigerians in the region.
It is important to note that President Bola Tinubu mandated the conversion of Nok University in Kachia into a Federal University following its acquisition by the Federal Government.
This directive from Tinubu came after a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja that finalized the forfeiture of the privately-owned Nok University to the Federal Government.
The private institution has been renamed FUAS, Kachia, in Kaduna State, fulfilling a commitment made by President Tinubu to the residents of Southern Kaduna.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had transferred the institution’s properties and assets to the federal government.
Recall that President Tinubu, on Monday, appointed Bishop Kukah as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of FUASK in Kaduna State.
According to him, such financial mishandling not only disrupts critical public services and projects but also results in major losses to the nation’s purse—resources that could have been channelled into crucial services and developmental efforts, as laid out in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Speaker Abbas, thereafter setup a Special Committee to be chaired by Rep. Chinedu Martins to immediately launch a probe into the “Utilisation of take-off grants, bailout funds, and interventions allocated to MDAs, government institutions, and GOEs from 2015 to present.”
The FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the Abuja light rail project, reaffirming its May 29 delivery as sacrosanct.
He made these assurances after inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the train stations on Wednesday, from Metro Train Station in the Central Area to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reassuring journalists accompanying him, the minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu would commission the rail project on May 29 to mark his second year in office.
The visited stations were Wupa station near Idu and Bassanjiwa station near the airport.
“This is part of our routine inspection of ongoing projects to see the contractors’ progress,” Wike explained.
“We are working day and night to fulfill our promise to President Tinubu and FCT residents. By May, Mr. President will ride on the Metro line.”
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen are currently invading some communities in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to sources, the herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the community around 04:15pm on Thursday.
“Our lives are in danger this evening, armed Fulani herdsmen, about 600 in numbers have taken over our communities this evening,” a resident told SaharaReporters.
“They’re currently moving around towns in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state. No security personnel at all, Governor Alia didn’t send security, they said operation will start soon once they (herders) have observed the place.”
The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The media had reported that suspected herdsmen again unleashed terror in Benue State, attacking three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) on Wednesday, just a day after 11 people were killed in a deadly raid on Otobi community.
The latest victims of the escalating violence were Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, communities that had previously suffered an attack in February, which left five people dead.
However, the renewed attack has created fear and mass displacement among residents, with women and children fleeing to safety.
Local sources say the death toll from the fresh attack remains unclear, but several casualties are feared.
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