About 196 scholars under the auspices of the Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors (FOSKAP) have canvassed for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his Vice Senator Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani.
At a press conference yesterday in Kaduna, the government was commended for its commitment to developing Southern Kaduna through various interventions.
The Professors also applauded the Senator representing their district, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, House of Representatives member Dan Amos, and their traditional rulers for their various contributions to the development of Southern Kaduna.
Addressing Journalists, Chairman of FOSKAP Prof John Gambo Laah (Professor of Geography) at Kaduna State University (KASU) said that Southern Kaduna is undergoing significant economic and political transformation, which has elevated their aspirations and expectations.
“As critical stakeholders of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria, the Southern Kaduna Professors have resolved to, from henceforth, engineer corresponding actions to support the impactful initiatives by the government (at all levels) and our elected and appointed representatives. Over the past two years, the Federal and Kaduna State Governments have directed considerable investments toward our region.”
He said, such developmental strides in their district is evident in the establishment of the following institutions: (i) the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; (ii) the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan; (iii) the Military Command Centre, Samaru Kataf; (iv) the Command Secondary School, Zango Kataf; (v) the Vocational and Technology Skills Acquisition City, Samaru Kataf (vi) the UBEC Junior Vocational Secondary School, Jagindi and (vii) the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre, Mabuhu, Zonzon.
He said the forum affirms that these initiatives are foundational to equipping our youths with the practical skills and vocational training necessary for long-term personal and regional advancement.
„We thank the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan. This has given us special pleasure in further renewing our belief in the Tinubu administration.
„From what we gathered, it is evident that the President is aware that Southern Kaduna has suffered neglect by successive governments. The President has proven that ubi jus ibi remedium (there is no wrong without a remedy).
„We commend the appointments of His Lordship, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah and Professor Barnabas William Qurix as the Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, respectively.
Their leadership brings credibility, integrity, and academic strength to the institution. We support Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu‘s appointment as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan. There is no doubt that square pegs have been put in square holes.
We thank the Vice President, Mallam Kashim Shettima GCON, for his compassionate approach to the issues of Kaduna State and the Southern Kaduna area. He was very committed to ensuring that the Government approved the establishment of a Federal University and Federal Medical Centre in Southern Kaduna.
„We want to express our gratitude to the Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Mallam Uba Sani. He has committed to inclusive governance since sworn in on May 29th, 2023. His utterances, actions and body language indicate his sincerity of purpose and commitment to ensuring that all parts of Kaduna State enjoy the dividends of democracy. He has been the number one supporter of establishing the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan and the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia. We cannot thank him enough“.
The Chairman of the forum disclosed that they have taken cognisance of the singular efforts of their Senator, Barrister Sunday Marshall Katung in initiating, sponsoring and ensuring the passage of the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences Kachia, with the College of Medicine and the attendant Teaching Hospital to be sited in Manchok.
He expressed the forum‘s appreciation that the Senator had fulfilled his promise to the Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors in early 2022 and noted with pride his continued advocacy even after the Bill was signed into law. „We want to assure the Distinguished Senator that for these sterling achievements, we shall continue to watch his back. He will never walk alone.“
„Our sincere thanks also go to our representatives in the House of Representatives and the Kaduna State House of Assembly, who have shown a deep commitment to the development of our region. We particularly commend Hon. Dan Amos for facilitating the establishment of the UBEC Junior Vocational Secondary School in Jagindi and Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji for his contributions toward the realisation of the Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan.
„The establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, has created platforms for us (professors) to come together and to contribute to the development of our dear region and country. With over 196 Professors from Southern Kaduna, we are more than eager to contribute meaningfully to both institutions’ clinical, academic, and research cultures. We shall also be ready to help the management of both institutions carry out their ethical and fiduciary duties.
„We also extend our appreciation to other elected and appointed sons and daughters of Southern Kaduna. We single out the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General CG Musa, for special mention for his contributions to the development of Southern Kaduna. Three new Military Commands were established to tackle insecurity in Kaduna State, with one located at Samaru, Zango Kataf Local Government Area.
„We are impressed with the quality of the construction works at the Military Command Barracks, Samaru Kataf and the Command Secondary School, Zango Kataf. We commend the covert and overt efforts of the CDS in ensuring sustained peace and security in our country“.
The Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors, he said, is committed to working as individuals and as a cohesive team to ensure an accelerated search for a comprehensive solution to the insecurity challenges in our region and Nigeria as a whole. We shall continue to support the efforts of the CDS and effectively collaborate with all stakeholders and the government at all levels to ensure mutual trust and peaceful coexistence of all communities in our region. „The last Prayer Summit held at Fadan Kagoma on Monday, 21st of April, 2025 and supported by the CDS, proved our willingness to work together on peace“.
„Finally, we express our sincere gratitude to our Royal Fathers and the Southern Kaduna People for their commitment, resilience, faith, patience during difficult times, and unwavering commitment to our people’s survival. Our Royal Fathers contribute significantly to ensuring relative peace in our communities.“
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