By Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
A group under the aegis of Bauchi State Concerned Citizens has raised alarm over alleged moves by the Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, to scrap certain courses and shut down some faculties and departments.
The group made the allegation on Monday during a press conference at the Bauchi Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). The statement was jointly signed and presented by Comrade Abdullahi Yalwa (PhD) and Barrister Jibrin S. Jibrin.
According to the group, reliable information at their disposal suggests that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim H. Garba, is pushing policies that could undermine the growth and achievements recorded by previous administrations.
They argued that if implemented, the plan could reverse ATBU’s development and weaken Bauchi State’s educational prospects, especially as efforts are ongoing to reposition the institution as a full-fledged conventional university.
“Our position is driven by empirical facts and logical analysis. The VC’s position is ill-motivated, incoherent, and totally wrong. Nigeria, Bauchi, and ATBU stand to gain more if its academic scope is not only maintained but expanded, as was done with Modibbo Adama University in Yola and Joseph Tarka University in Makurdi,” the group maintained.
They therefore appealed to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, the Bauchi State Government, traditional rulers, senior citizens, and other stakeholders to intervene in the matter to prevent what they described as “a backward step.”
The group also commended the Chairman of ATBU Governing Council, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jakada (rtd), for what they called his maturity and willingness to listen to reason in addressing the concerns.
“We call on all sons and daughters of Bauchi State to join this struggle to safeguard the future of education in the state. By Allah’s grace, we shall succeed,” the statement concluded.
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