Education
Why We Prioritise Science University – Senator Katung
The Senator for Kaduna South, Sunday Katung, has stated that he set aside religion, ethnicity, and party affiliation to swiftly secure the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, within eighteen months during the 10th Assembly.
Katung made this disclosure on Thursday during a meeting with the Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum in Zonkwa, the headquarters of Zango Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
He explained that he approached the situation as a human being, removing considerations of religion, ethnicity, and party politics to advocate for his people.
“I asked, what have we done wrong in this commonwealth called Nigeria? Are we not citizens? Why are we treated differently? I was able to network using my social capital.
“I maintained an open mind, unclouded by the divisions of ethnicity, religion, and party affiliation,” Katung stated.
He lamented that these divisions have weighed down the people of Southern Kaduna.
“If we set aside these divisions, we will realise that we are one people. You can go anywhere to seek what you want and achieve it.
“Another key factor was my ability to leverage social capital. If you do not utilise it, it becomes useless. Social capital should not be used merely for personal gain; it should empower the people.
“I used the social capital that God has given me to connect with individuals who could assist me, regardless of their background. That, above all, is what led to the establishment of the university—God made it happen,” Katung remarked.
He also took the opportunity to thank all stakeholders who contributed to the realisation of one of his bills, which led to the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, with a campus in Manchok.
He pledged to continue pursuing more developmental projects for his constituents.
The lawmaker further urged the Kaduna State Government to prioritise the recruitment of science-related teachers in secondary schools to ensure students receive proper guidance and education.
He emphasised the importance of youth mentorship, revealing that he is currently training young people from Southern Kaduna in ICT to reduce idleness and equip them with skills to compete globally.
On the issue of insecurity, Katung expressed concern over the involvement of locals in banditry and the abduction of innocent citizens.
He stated that security measures are being intensified to address rising insecurity, particularly in Kauru, Kachia, and other areas of the state. He warned that those involved should desist or face the full force of the law.
According to him, the military has already approved the establishment of two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Kauru, assuring that the escalating insecurity in the region will soon be addressed.
“What has been happening in Southern Kaduna is purely criminality, not a herder-farmer conflict, as some have claimed,” he added.
Acknowledging the vital role of journalists in shaping public opinion, Senator Katung urged them to continue reporting factual and accurate information.
Regarding the conversion of the Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital, Kafanchan, into a Federal Medical Centre, Senator Katung clarified that his bill for its establishment is awaiting a public hearing in the Senate. He noted that a similar bill in the House of Representatives has already passed the third reading.
He explained that after its passage in the Senate, a committee will be set up to harmonise both bills for the President’s assent.
He also appealed to his constituents to continue praying for a smooth legislative process, as the Presidency has already given its consent in principle to realise the project.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum, Mr Ango Bally, stated that the meeting was convened to update the public on the senator’s activities as part of the forum’s mandate.
Bally commended the lawmaker’s determination in pursuing the bill that led to the establishment of the Federal University, urging him to continue his commendable efforts for the region.
calls for immediate release of revitalization fund, AEA, others
wants Tinubu to order AG to release approved funds
Due to the Federal government’s persistent failure to honor agreements over the release of the University revitalization fund, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) might have set a dateline of March ending within which it will call for a full-scale industrial action if the funds for the Universities revitalization project are not released.
The ultimatum may have become necessary following the discovery by the top echelon of the union that the government was playing politics with them over the release of over 200 Billion already approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the university revitalization scheme and Academic Earned Allowance, as well as other entitlements owed the body by the government.
A highly dependable source within ASUU, who spoke to our Correspondent under anonymity condition because he is not permitted to speak on behalf of the body, disclosed that the leadership of the union is deeply worried that despite its huge sacrifices and cooperation shown to the present Administration, the federal government has continued to play ‘hanky panky ‘with them over funding of universities, particularly, in implementing existing agreements.
According to the source, the union is mostly pained that despite its resolve to guarantee an uninterrupted academic calendar at the citadel of learning, the government is busy playing politics with them.
The source revealed that the union is tired of attending meetings with the Minister of Education where all negotiations and resolutions are not implemented.
It was also gathered that the government and ASUU team had recently reached a compromise where the sun of 150 billion naira was to be released as a revitalization fund,50 billion as Academic Earned Allowance, and another 30 billion respectively; again, the government reneged as monies are yet to be released as agreed.
The source further disclosed that the union resolved not to attend any meeting with the officials of the government unless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the Accountable General of the Federation to make the funds available.
“Look let me tell you, what ASUU wants is the immediate release of revitalization fund as well as AEA and all other of entitlement owed them by the government”
It was also learned that the union believes that both the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, are hiding certain facts from the President and are not telling the President the truth as it concerns public university education.
The reliable source noted that the only way to avert stile action by the body is for the president to intervene and order for the immediate release of the funds to the institutions and also honor agreements entered into with the union.
It was also gathered that the OAGF is frustrating all attempts geared towards releasing the fund.
According to the source, officials of the Accountant General’s office insist on fresh presidential approval to release funds to the universities across the country.
The highly dependable source revealed that at a recent meeting between the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa the AG, and the President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, as well as other officials of the government it was agreed that the N 300 Billion captured in the 2023 appropriation Act but was not released be rolled – over to this year.
It was gathered that a letter signed by the Minister of Education and addressed to the Accountant General requesting that the money be rolled over to 2025 has already been dispatched.
The Union was said to be represented at the meeting by its President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, who complained bitterly over the lack of political will by successive governments on the problem of the death of infrastructure and the welfare of members of the University community, including the knotty challenge of Earn allowance for members.
ASUU is also angered that the refusal of the government to release the university revitalization fund is gradually killing public universities, adding that infrastructure that could aid teaching and learning has become an eyesore in almost all the universities in Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in 2009 reached an agreement with ASUU for the provision of 1.3 trillion on annual tranches of N220 billion over a period of 5 years as intervention funds for the revitalization of universities.
A review of the agreement was done in 2014. However, it is yet to be implemented, resulting in several industrial actions by ASUU, which distorts the academic calendar in the ivory tower.
Investigation revealed that efforts by the Federal Ministry of Education to prevent the strike action under the Tinubu-led government will might become history, if the Accountant General of the Federation keeps creating conditions that make the implementation of the agreements difficult, thereby, hampering the release of the University revitalization fund which was done based on needs assessments of the public universities.
Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), says the scheme will begin paying N77,000 to corps members as an allowance in March 2025.
The brigadier general spoke at the NYSC zonal offices in Wuse and Garki, Abuja on Thursday.
Nafiu said the scheme prioritises the welfare of corps members.
He urged them to remain disciplined and dedicated to national service.
The brigadier emphasised the NYSC’s role in fostering national unity and cultural integration.
He pledged that the management would continue to uphold values of patriotism, leadership, and teamwork among corps members.
“NYSC is good at record-keeping. I can assure you that your money will be paid. The nation and the scheme appreciate you,” Nafiu said.
Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu assumed office as the 23rd DG of the NYSC on March 6, 2025, succeeding Yusha’u Ahmed.
After taking over office, he pledged to address pending concerns around corps member welfare.
Corps members receive a monthly stipend from the federal government to support their basic needs during the service year.
The allowance has been periodically reviewed in response to economic realities, with the last significant increase occurring in 2020 when it was raised to N33,000 following the implementation of the new minimum wage.
The latest increment to N77,000 aligns with the recent adjustment of the national minimum wage.
… Bishop Kukah is pro-chancellor
… Tinubu appoints varsity’s principal officers
Prof Williams Barnabas Qurix has emerged as the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State.
President Bola Tinubu made the appointment on Monday, appointing Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.
In a statement issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, he said he appointed the university’s principal officers, including Prof. Qurix Williams Barnabas as Vice Chancellor, Sanusi Gambo Adamu as Registrar, Ibrahim Dalhat as bursar, and Prof Daniel Abubakar as university Librarian, because of their track records.
President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Mr Thomas Etuh, representing the North Central, Chief Fabian Nwaora (South East), Prof Femi Taiwo (South West) and Zarah Bukar (North East) as members of the university’s Governing Council.
All the appointees were carefully selected based on their distinguished careers, leadership experience, and dedication to advancing education in Nigeria.
President Tinubu implored them to use their collective expertise to position the university as a hub for academic excellence and research, aligning with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
President Tinubu urged the newly appointed officers to provide visionary leadership and lay a solid foundation for the university’s growth as it prepares to admit its first cohort of students in September 2025.
The Federal University of Applied Sciences was formerly known as Nok University. It was renamed after the federal government took over its assets.