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.
