By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
A group known known as the Bauchi State Concerned Citizens has alleged that the current Management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim H. Garba, is planing to scrap some courses and close down some Faculties and Departments in the Institution.
The group made the allegation during a Press conference held on Monday at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi on the current situation in the University as read by Comrade Abdullahi Yalwa-PhD and Barr Jibrin S. Jibrin.
“The point being made here is that from the reliable information at our disposals and direction of the current VC, Prof. I.H Garba, the growth, development and success attained or recorded by previous administrations in the University will be reversed if his plans and policy direction are allowed to sail through.”
“The danger it portends to education as a whole and for what Bauchi as a state stands to lose, we are against these steps and decisions of the leadership of the university.”
“At a time when the efforts to change the narrative of Bauchi state being the only state in the entire North East sub-region without a Federal conventional University, which is the reality that will become of the matter once the process is successfully pursued, which is being welcomed and supported by all stakeholders and citizens of good conscience, good intentions and with an eye on the future.”
“We have to raise our voice in calling on the Federal Government, especially the Honourable Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa to intervene on the matter,” he added.
“As intellectuals, we are not looking at the matter from the lenses of the simple logic or refrain of the VC being behind the said backward moves because he is not an indigene of Bauchi State”The group said
According to the group”Our position on the matter is driven by empirical facts, superior arguments and plausible reasoning, especially as we have put both argument for and against on the objective scale of analysis and the result is that the VC’s position on the matter is ill-motivated, logically incoherent and totally wrong.”
“Using all the relevant variables, data and facts on the ground, ATBU, Bauchi state and Nigeria as a whole stand to gain more if the current arrangement in terms of the scope and coverage of its academic activities is not only maintained but expanded through making it a conventional university as it happened with Modibbo Adama University Yola, Adamawa state and Joseph Tarka University Makurdi, Benue state to mention but a few.”
The group called on the Government of Bauchi state, the traditional institutions, senior citizens and every son and daughter of the state to join the efforts, enrich the conversation, engage all concerned so that a stop is put to the VC’s plans in the best interest of all.
“In particular, the Governor and government of Bauchi state have a major stake in this matter. It is a fact that successive administrations in the state and senior citizens in recent history like Alhaji Mahmood Yayale Ahmed, Barrister Ahmed Al-Mustapha, former Registrar General of the CAC, Alhaji Muhammed Uba Kari to mention some notable examples have contributed and invested greatly in the growth and developmental drive of the state, which brought it to its present level of development,”
“The trend should continue forward and must not move backwards. As we have had occasions to discuss with some critical stakeholders even before the current issue came about, every genuine lover of education and the progress of our dear state is already involved as part and parcel of this struggle.”
“And by Allah`s grace, we shall succeed. We again plead with the leadership of the university to rescind its ill-motivated plan, review its stand and see through the wisdom of what fact-backed position on the matter has on the issue.”
“We commend the Council chairman a of the university Air commodore Emmanuel Jakada for his maturity and exceptional ability to see reasons and wisdom in our stand as evidenced in his last decision. This is the way to go” The group stated