Bomba Dauda
Chairman of the Southern Kaduna Professors Forum, Professor John Gambo Laah, has commended Senator Sunday Marshall Katung for what he described as strategic leadership and legislative ingenuity that culminated in the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia (FUASK).
Professor Laah, while reacting to ongoing public debates surrounding the origin of the institution, said attempts to distort the legislative history of FUASK for political reasons were unfortunate and misleading.
According to him, he and other members of the Southern Kaduna Professors Forum actively supported the effort by former Senator Danjuma Laah between 2020 and 2022 to secure the passage of a bill seeking the conversion of the Federal School of Statistics, Manchok, into a Federal University of Science and Technology.
He explained that the Forum mobilised support for the bill, including engagements with key stakeholders and participation during public hearings at the National Assembly.
“The Bill was eventually passed and transmitted to the President in November 2022, but unfortunately, it was not assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari,” Professor Laah stated.
He noted, however, that Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, shortly after assuming office in 2023, moved swiftly to sustain the vision of establishing a federal university in Southern Kaduna by sponsoring a fresh bill within his first month in office.
Professor Laah disclosed that during consultations with the Southern Kaduna Professors Forum before the 2023 elections, Senator Katung was informed about the strategic importance of securing a federal university for the region.
According to him, Senator Katung initially retained Manchok as the proposed location in recognition of previous efforts but later introduced a more innovative approach after consultations with stakeholders and education experts.
“Since ASUU leadership raised concerns about establishing another Federal University of Science and Technology due to funding issues affecting existing institutions, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung strategically proposed a Federal University of Applied Sciences, the first of its kind in Nigeria,” he said.
He further explained that the decision to adopt Kachia as the university’s location emerged following the Federal Government’s takeover of NOK University.
“The suggestion for a multi-campus university and the eventual decision to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia came after NOK University was seized by the Federal Government. Though we sympathised with Chief Anthony Hassan over the development, we were pleased that the facilities were put to productive national use,” he added.
Professor Laah praised Senator Katung for carrying out extensive consultations that ultimately ensured the success of the legislation and eventual presidential assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The events leading to the passage of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung’s Bill and its eventual signing into law clearly demonstrated his lobbying capacity, commitment and willingness to deploy his resources for the collective good,” he stated.
He also described FUASK as one of the few newly established federal universities already operating with world-class infrastructure, unlike many others still struggling with temporary facilities.
Professor Laah further maintained that Senator Katung’s legislative record stands out in the history of Southern Kaduna representation at the National Assembly.
“From Senator Madaki Kure to Senator Nenadi Usman and others who represented the zone, no Senator has proposed more bills than Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, and no Senator has had bills passed with direct impact on the constituency like him,” he said.
While acknowledging contributions by several stakeholders towards the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Kafanchan, Professor Laah urged political actors to avoid distorting facts for partisan purposes.
“Political patronage should not blind us from acknowledging tangible contributions. We must tell ourselves the truth during campaigns because, at the end of the day, we remain brothers and sisters,” he added.
