MBF hails FG for establishing applied sciences varsity in Southern Kaduna

The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) Kaduna State chapter has faulted criticism against the approval of the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna, saying the decision of the government to site the institution in the geographical zone will put an end to the marginalisation of the area.

Besides, the response of the MBF to the criticism was on the heels of the editorial by a national Newspaper on the decision by the Federal Government to locate the university in the southern part of Kaduna State.

In a statement issued by the State Chairman of MBF, Luka Binniyat on Thursday, the group said it is “taken aback by acerbic criticism of news of the approval of the establishment of a Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, Kachia LGA, in Southern Kaduna, which falls under the Middle Belt.”

Binniyat drew the attention of the critics to “the shocking marginalization that Southern Kaduna has suffered in allocation of federal institutions in Kaduna state”, saying that they should have seen the issues “from a rather sympathetic perspective.

“They would not have set out to discourage the Federal Government from concluding a development that has stirred so much joy and emotions among the people of Southern Kaduna and indeed all residents members of the Middle Belt in Kaduna State.”

He explained that despite the trail of marginalization of the people in southern Kaduna, “the House of Representatives Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, who represents Zaria Federal Constituency of Kaduna state, secured the approval and funds for the establishment and immediate construction of FOUR new tertiary institutions in Zaria town, including a University.”

According to him, “At the flag off of the construction of one of the schools in Zaria, on the 15th December 2024, Abbas announced to the media that the sum of N80 billion had been approved for the construction of the schools.

“The brand new Federal tertiary institutions for Zaria town alone are Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Federal College of Education, Federal Open University, and Federal College of Legal Studies.

“The critics ought to be aware that Zaria town is unarguably the only town in entire Nigeria that has the highest numbers of federal institutions as listed: Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Federal College of Education (FCoE), Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Nigerian Leather Research Institute, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, Division of Agricultural Colleges (DAC), Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, National Animal Production Research Institute, National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Nigerian Army School of Military Police and Nigeria Army School of Legal Services, Basawa Zaria.”

While commending the decision of the Federal Government to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna, the MBF leader in the state said that “the Middle Belt and indeed, Southern Kaduna has powerful foes that can go to any extent to ensure that we are tied to one place.”