The tension between Bingham University and its host community in the Karu area of Nasarawa State has escalated following recent publications, which the community claims are part of a smear campaign orchestrated by the university.
The host community, in a rejoinder signed by Gaza Mark Auta, who is the spokesman for Karu Indigenous Youths, claimed that Bingham University employed a faceless group to tarnish their reputation in national dailies.
The community in a rejoinder to the article published in some dailies said the organization used in discrediting the protest by the community against the university is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria, raising concerns about its legitimacy and credibility.
Historically, Bingham University’s first three Registrars retired at 70.
The change in retirement criteria to below 60 years raises transparency concerns, contradicting the Bingham University Conditions of Service for Senior Staff, 2007 (as amended 2021), he said.
According to him, this stipulates that non-academic staff at the rank of Deputy Registrar and above retire at 65, and academic staff at the rank of Associate Professor retire at 70.
The host community demanded a fair and transparent process and refutes claims that many Gbagyi individuals hold significant positions at the university.
They argued that roles like Director of Works, Academic Secretary, and Heads of Departments are not top management positions and should not be equated with executive roles like the Registrar.
Auta said the issue of land which was said to be adequately compensated for was false, stressing that the host community provided 220 hectares of land to Bingham University.
“The university annexed an additional 120 hectares, totaling 340 hectares. The host community questions the transparency of this process and demands detailed information on the compensation paid,” he said.
Demanding proof of compensation, Auta said there must be an assessment process, the value per plot or hectare, the size of the acquired land, and the notice of acquisition given to landowners, stating that without these details, the claims would lack credibility.
He said the protest of the youth was not sponsored by the ECWA President and Chancellor, noting that the university management had requested HRH the Esu Karu to call the youths for dialogue, but has now turned to blackmailing him through proxies, which the community finds uncharitable.
The host community called on Bingham University to address the actual issues raised and find a lasting solution instead of engaging faceless organizations to tarnish their image.
He said the community remained determined to have their demands met and will continue to seek justice and fairness.
The community urged the university’s owners to investigate prevailing allegations thoroughly and ensure transparency and fairness prevail.
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