FG Takes Over NOK University, Renames It Varsity Of Applied Sciences

ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has or­dered the Federal Government to take over NOK University, Kachia, Kaduna State, and trans­form it into a federal institution.

The president’s directive comes after a Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the final forfeiture of the privately-owned NOK University to the Federal Government.

Tinubu directed that the pri­vate institution be 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.’

The VP 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 take-off 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.”

On his part, the Chairman of the 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.”

SAMUEL OGIDAN

ABUJA

The National Working Com­mittee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported suspension of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Senator Adol­phus Wabara.

The NWC categorically dismissed the purported suspension as null and void and of no effect what­soever not being consistent with the provisions of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and laid down rules of the party.

PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said that no State Working Committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party without due recourse to the NWC as clearly pro­vided under Section 57 (7) of the constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

“Section 57 (7) is unam­biguous in providing that: ‘Notwithstanding any oth­er provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, ex­cept the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Ex­ecutive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.

“The explicit import of Section 57 (7) is that the Abia State chapter has no powers whatsoever to take any disciplinary action against the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, being a member of the National Executive Committee of the party.”

The PDP has, therefore, condemned the purported suspension of Senator Wa­bara as reckless, unconstitu­tional and cautioned those behind the act in defiance of the PDP constitution to re­trace their steps as the NWC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary actions to preserve the sta­bility of the party and the sanctity of its constitution.

The NWC called on all leaders, critical stakehold­ers, members and support­ers of PDP in Abia State, the South East Zone and indeed across the country to disregard the purported suspension.

The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has scrapped the work-from-home initiative introduced by his administration, di­recting all public servants to resume full on-site work from April 1, 2025.

Sanwo-Olu had in Feb­ruary 2024 announced the policy which allowed civil servants in the state from levels one to 14 to work only three days.

However, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that scrapping of the policy followed the implementation of the new minimum wage and other welfare measures for state workers.

“Further to the implemen­tation of the New Minimum Wage in the state public ser­vice and other commendable measures put in place by this administration to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants, Mr. Gover­nor has approved the cancel­lation of the work-from-home initiative in the Lagos State Public Service,” the state­ment reads.

He urged all public ser­vants to rededicate them­selves to their duties and ensure improved service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

“Accounting officers are enjoined to note the contents of this circular and give it the service-wide publicity it de­serves,” he added.