Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision of merging the Army University in Biu, Borno State with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
To reduce the cost of governance, the Federal Government has said it will merge the two institutions, as part of the recommendation of Steve Oronsaye report.
Addressing newsmen while distributing palliatives to 100,000 households in Maiduguri, Zulum said Boko Haram insurgents would achieve their objectives if the university is scrapped.
“If it’s possible, it should be allowed as an Army university because of the importance of education in this part of the country, where Boko Haram is saying that education is forbidden.”
“And l think, by allowing this Army University to be scrapped, they might have achieved one or two of their objectives.
“Therefore, we appeal to Mr President to look into this issue so that the army university Biu would remain as a fully pledged University.
“If this is not possible, maybe they don’t want to create another army university, we appeal to the president to allow the Federal Ministry of Education to take over the Army University to become a conventional University. This is also something we shall plead to the FG,” he said.
The governor noted that, for over a decade, Borno has been facing a serious crisis that denied many children access to education, “therefore, this university is very important to not only the people of Borno State but our neighboring states” he said.
Zulum, who reasoned with the federal government on its quest to reposition the system to reflect current realities, also said the quantum of students absorbed by the institution is something to be considered.
The Army University Biu was established in 2018.
Similarly, the governor made a case for the National Center for Agricultural Mechanisation, Ilorin.
He said, at this material time when the Federal government is looking towards promoting food security through sustainable agriculture, the center is very important.
“This is the only mechanization outfit in Nigeria that is saddled with the responsibility of agricultural tools and
“I believe a technical committee would be set up, and we shall recommend to the presidency to review some of the decisions with a view to adding value to what he has done.
“By and large, I have to commend the initiative and we are behind the initiative,” he added.
