Nok Varsity Now Federal University Of Applied Sciences As President Tinubu Orders Immediate Takeover

** Directs education minister to capture institution in 2025 budget for September take-off

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Federal Government to take over Nok University, Kachia, Kaduna State, and transform it into a Federal University.

Following the President’s directive which is coming after a Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the final forfeiture of the privately-owned NOK University to the Federal Government, the private institution is now named Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State in fulfillment of a promise made to the people of Southern Kaduna.

Speaking during the formal handover of the institution’s property and assets to the Federal Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the event signifies the administration’s commitment to inclusivity and national development.

He said, “This is a great day for the country and for Kaduna State. The greater credit should go to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for driving the process and making it the first item on the agenda of the Federal Executive Council.

“General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) quoted Martin Luther King Jr. as saying, ‘People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.’ I dare to add another quote by the same Martin Luther King Jr. where he said: ‘We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools.’

“We must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools.”

The Vice President also paid tribute to those instrumental in the transition process, including General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs, and Senator Sunday Marshall.

“I want to particularly appreciate my Lord, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, who has been unwavering in his commitment to fostering peace and progress in this region. The engagements we had with General Agwai, Justice Akaahs, and Senator Marshall were all geared towards making this a reality. Today, we celebrate the outcome of those efforts,” he said.

Assuring of the immediate commencement of the institution’s operations, VP Shettima said, “The President has already directed the Minister of Education to ensure that the university is captured in the 2025 budget so that by September, it can admit its first set of students.”

Beyond education, VP Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development in Southern Kaduna, particularly in road construction.

“The governor is already making significant progress in reconstructing key roads in the region. However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to complete the efforts of the governor by awarding contracts for the construction of some of the major roads in the region,” he added.

On his part, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, thanked President Tinubu for the realisation of the dream to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna, describing the signing ceremony and handover of property for the takeoff of the institution as a great day for the people of the state and Nigerians at large.

Governor Sani reserved special commendations for Vice President Shettima, whom he described as a strong pillar of support for his administration and the people of Kaduna, particularly for the actualisation of the Federal University of Applied Sciences project.

He said the peaceful coexistence enjoyed across Kaduna and environs, and the inclusion of all interests in the state is entrenched as a deliberate policy of his administration, assuring that “we will continue to run Kaduna in an inclusive manner where the interest of all are taken into consideration”.

Also speaking, the Senator representing Kaduna South senatorial district, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung thanked President Tinubu for assenting to the establishment of the institution, saying “the positive impact of the decision will benefit millions in our region, the country and the world for generations to come.”

Senator Katung who presented the bill for the establishment of the university in the Senate said, “We are excited that our vision for a world-class institution of higher learning in Southern Kaduna has been recognised and endorsed. We are eager to embark on this journey that has eluded us for decades.

“This university will not only provide access to quality education but will also create jobs, stimulate local economic growth, and contribute to the social and cultural fabric of our community. This is the vision that Mr. President has set in motion today, and we look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to bring it to life.”

On his part, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, described the establishment of the university as a demonstration of President Tinubu’s dedication towards expanding the nation’s human capital and capacity development.

He said, “Today demonstrates another evidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima’s benevolent belief in quickly expanding Nigeria’s human capacity development in the area of education, health and social welfare protection.”

For his part, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukayode, said that in pursuit of their mandate, the court had granted the institution a judgment for the final forfeiture of the entire assets of the university, comprising academic buildings, a water factory, an international hotel, and an event centre.

“We are here pursuant to the resolution of the Federal Executive Council on February 4, 2025, to hand over the property of the university for the use of the newly established Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said the day is “a very special day to say thank you to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the great honour done to the people of Southern Kaduna.”

According to him, the President has repeatedly shown love and commitment to the region and the country at large. “This is a Nigerian project, it is not only for the people of Kaduna; the University will enhance the capacity of all Nigerians. We are all excited; everybody in Kaduna State is excited about this great feat. This is an idea that will bring peace to the region,” he stated.

Also speaking, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) said it is one of the greatest days of joy for some of them who have retired and from that geographical region of the country – Southern Kaduna.

He noted that the Southern Kaduna people had waited for a long time, and have eventually gotten the best with a science-based university that will uplift the value of life in that area.

Others present at the meeting included member representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal constituency, Hon. Daniel Amos; former Supreme Court Justice, Kumai Bayang Akaahs; former Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Joseph Hayab; Chief Anthony Hassan; member representing Jema’a State Constituency Ali Kalat; Dr Abdulamalik Durunguwa; Charity Shekari; Deborah Usman; Andrew Yakubu among others.

Nok Varsity Now Federal University Of Applied Sciences As President Tinubu Orders Immediate Takeover

Nigeria Felicitates with China on Country’s Lunar New Year

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian government has felicitated with people of China and the Chinese community in Nigeria on the celebration of the Lantern Festival which comes after the Chinese Lunar New Year.

The government’s godwill was communicated in a message on Tuesday by the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Mr. Joseph Tegbe.

Tegbe, in the statement said the good wishes to the people of China and the Chinese community in Nigeria on the celebration of the Lantern Festival which comes after the Chinese Lunar New Year, said on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

He noted that: “This stems from the strong economic and bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, which has manifested in the strong commitment to advancing economic and infrastructural development in the country.

Tegbe, in his celebratory message, conveyed the wish of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the good people of Nigeria to his Chinese counterpart, through the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

He wished the Chinese community in the country a happy celebration, with love and happiness, as the Lunar Year ushers in good tidings that resonates with the diplomatic ties between both countries.

He prayed that the Lantern Festivity brings prosperity, good fortune, and joy to the people of China and the Chinese community in Nigeria.

The DG also expressed his delight at the hospitality of the Chinese business community, during his recent visit to China for expansion of Nigeria’s economic and business growth.

The trip which resulted in a series of talks with leading Chinese Corporations, Banks, and Business leaders to review the priority of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) projects and explore various funding options for accelerated delivery, according to him, was very successful.

While in China, Tegbe bolstered strategic agreements in vital sectors of the economy, and the support for Nigeria’s economic diversification plans, infrastructure development, technology transfer, and job creation, for mutually beneficial collaboration between the two nations.

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Spring Lantern Festival, is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar Chinese calendar. This marks the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. Over time, it has become the most popular lantern festival and light event in China.

Nigeria Felicitates with China on Country’s Lunar New Year

Japan Pledges Additional Support for Nigeria’s Plastic Waste Control

By: Michael Mike

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki has said his country will provide more support for Nigeria in its efforts to tackle plastic waste control through the project, “Accelerating a Circular Plastic Economy to Reduce Plastic Pollution and its Impacts in African Region and its Countries”.

The envoy noted that “the initial support through Japanese Supplementary Budget (JSB1) had supported stakeholders’ engagement, development of National Guidelines for the Implementation of EPR for Packaging (Plastic), and EPR Enforcement Plan.”

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor, the envoy expressed the satisfaction of the Japanese government with the dedication and commitment exhibited by NESREA in the first phase of the project.

He said the second phase of the project which would be funded from the Japanese Supplementary Budget 2 (JSB2) would kick off in March 2025 and further scale up on the initiatives of first phase.

The second phase of the project will consider development of reuse and refill systems to address pollution from water sachets, conduct feasibility study and identify possible reuse solutions; consultations with relevant stakeholders; and identifying financial gaps for reuse systems and solutions to Single Use Plastic (SUP) pollution.

Responding, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Japan, noting that their support has assisted the ag nct in promoting sustainable environmental practices and aligning with circular plastic economy.

He said the agency was desirous of understudying the advanced and effective waste management system operated in Japan and looked forward to future collaborations with the Government of Japan.

Japan Pledges Additional Support for Nigeria’s Plastic Waste Control