The Forum of Southern Kaduna Professors (FOSKAP) has declared support for President Bola Tinubu and the Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani, for impacting positively on Southern Kaduna.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday in Kaduna, John Laah chairman of the forum, said Southern Kaduna is currently undergoing a significant economic and political transformation under President Tinubu and Governor Sani.
According to him, their inclusive governance policies have given the Southern Kaduna people a sense of belonging.
Laah noted that it is only when a Southerner is elected president that Southern Kaduna experiences a significant impact.
“I will say this, and you can qoute me. Funny enough, it is when we have a southerner as President that we tend to get significant appointments in Southern Kaduna.
“Under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, we had ministers of works, finance, chief of army staff, chief of Defence staff.
“Under Northerners who became presidents (late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Muhammadu Buhari), we had nothing, not even a minister.
“Now we have another Southerner as president, and we are being carried along…” he said.
Laah said, over the past two years, both the federal and Kaduna state governments have brought considerable investments to the southern Kaduna.
“We consider it necessary to address you today on issues that are defining and will continue to define our future as a people and as a region.
“Southern Kaduna is currently undergoing a phase of significant economic and political transformation which has driven both our aspirations and expectations to elevated levels.
“As critical stakeholders of Southern Kaduna and indeed 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 by our elected and appointed representatives.
“Over the past two years, both the federal and Kaduna state governments have directed considerable investments towards our region,” Laah said.
Accorfing to him, “This is evident in the establishment of the following institutions: Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, the Military Command Centre, Samaru Kataf, the Command Secondary School, Zango Kataf; the Vocational and Technology Skills Acquisition City, Samaru Kataf, the UBEC Junior Vocational Secondary School, Jagindi and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre, Mabuhu, Zonzon”.
We affirm that these initiatives are foundational to equipping our youths with the practical skills and vocational training necessary for long-term personal and regional advancement.
The forum thanked President Tinubu for approving the establishment of the federal institutions, saying, “This has given us special pleasure in further renew 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 forum added.
Laah said Tinubu has proven that “ubi jus ibi remedium (there is no wrong without a remedy).”
FOSKAP also lauded the appointments of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rt Rev. Mathew Kukah and Prof. Barnabas Qurix as the Pro-Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia respectively.
According to the group, their leadership brings credibility, integrity, and academic strength to the institution.
The forum also expressed support for the appointment of Dr. Haruna Abubakar Shehu as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan.
The forum also expressed gratitude to the Vice President, Mallam Kashim Shettima, for his compassionate approach to issues that concern Kaduna state and Southern Kaduna area in particular.
Laah praised Governor Sani demonstrating his commitment to inclusive governance.
“Since being sworn in on May 29th, 2023, he has demonstrated that he is committed to inclusive governance.
“His utterances, actions and body language indicate his sincerity of purpose and commitments 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.”
