Gbagyi Group Chides Protesters Over Ownership Of FUT Minna Campus

Pan Gbagyi socio-cultural group Gbegnu Boknu Yako Association (GBY) has chided the Concerned Nigerlites Forum who allegedly planned protest against the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, over the ownership tussle of the Bosso Campus between the Federal and Niger State governments.

The president of the association Bako Wakili Bosso said in a statement yesterday that “We find the protest not only ill-timed but also grossly misinformed, misleading, and clearly driven by ulterior political motives rather than genuine concern for the development of education or the well-being of Nigerlites”.

“The Federal University of Technology, Minna remains a federal institution established by law, and any issues relating to land or ownership are best addressed through appropriate legal and governmental channels—not through incitement of public unrest and sensational activism” Bosso added in the statement.

He said of particular concern was the unwarranted call for the sacking of the vice chancellor of the university saying that such demand was baseless, malicious, and politically motivated.

Bosso said the vice chancellor should not be dragged into matters that were administrative and jurisdictional in nature, especially when there was no evidence of wrongdoing or misconduct on his part.

” Such calls are not only unjust but also capable of undermining the stability and academic progress of the institution” he posited while saying that the association was not unaware of the antecedents of the protest convener, who has, over time, built a reputation for engaging in what can best be described as “commercial activism.”

He said it was a pattern of stirring public sentiment under the guise of advocacy, only to subsequently benefit from political patronage and appointments.

Bosso said the association categorically reject and condemn the protest in its entirety and called on the good people of Niger State and the wider public to disregard the actions and claims of the protest organisers, as they did not reflect the collective interest of the people.

He urged all stakeholders to remain calm and allow due process, dialogue, and lawful engagement between the Federal and State Governments to resolve any outstanding issues amicably as institutions of higher learning must be protected from unnecessary politicization that could disrupt their core mandate of teaching, research, and community development.

LEADERSHIP recalled that there have dissenting voices since the state government indicated interest to reclaim Bosso campus of FUT Minna which the government claimed was leased for the establishment of the school while the university insisted that the school was purchased from the state government on permanent basis not through leasing.