News
Middle Belt Forum Praises Bishop Kukah, Prof Qurix On Appointments As Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna chapter, has expressed its commendation for the recent appointments of Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and Prof. Qurix Williams by President Bola Tinubu as Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.
In a statement released by the forum’s Public Relations Officer, Eld. Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, it was emphasised that their appointments are well-deserved and serve as a testament to the exceptional leadership, dedication, and contributions of these distinguished individuals to education and national development in Nigeria.
The statement highlighted that Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, is a globally respected intellectual, peace advocate, and voice of reason. His unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and the advancement of education has garnered him admiration across Nigeria and beyond.
As Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Bishop Kukah’s visionary leadership is anticipated to guide the university towards becoming a centre of academic excellence and innovation, the statement noted.
Regarding Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas, the statement described him as an accomplished academic and administrator who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Vice-Chancellor. It stressed that his distinguished career in academia and research, along with his passion for institution-building, positions him as the ideal leader to steer the university towards fulfilling its mandate of fostering applied sciences and technological advancement.
The Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna Chapter, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for these strategic appointments, which reflect his administration’s commitment to recognising and harnessing the immense human resources within the Middle Belt region.
The Forum extends its profound gratitude to the President for his foresight and urges him to continue identifying and appointing more capable leaders from the Middle Belt to key positions in his administration. It remarked that the Middle Belt region is rich in highly skilled, visionary, and dedicated individuals eager to contribute to the nation’s growth and development, asserting that Bishop Kukah and Prof. Qurix exemplify the talent and potential that abound in the region.
“Their appointments are not only a source of pride for the Middle Belt but also a call to action for other leaders to recognise and utilise the region’s vast human resources,” the statement affirmed.
The forum believes that as the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, prepares to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025, the leadership of Bishop Kukah and Prof. Qurix will position the institution as a hub of academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and innovation. Their appointments align perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda, and the forum trusts that they will lay a solid foundation for the university’s growth and impact.
Consequently, the Middle Belt Forum, Kaduna Chapter, pledges its full support to Bishop Kukah, Prof. Qurix, and the entire university community as they work to transform the educational landscape of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria as a whole.
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…