I Set Aside Religion, Ethnicity to Secure a Federal Varsity for Kaduna — Senator

Imagine pushing past all the usual roadblocks, religion, ethnicity, and party politics—to make history. That’s exactly what I did to bring the Federal University of Applied Sciences to Kachia. And guess what? It happened in just 18 months.

When I took up the fight, I wasn’t thinking about where someone prays or what language they speak. Nope. I asked myself one simple question: Why does Southern Kaduna keep getting the short end of the stick? Aren’t we Nigerians too? Don’t we deserve equal opportunities?

I knew I had to play smart, so I leaned into my social capital, the powerful network of people I’ve built over the years. I reached out, connected, and ensured the right ears heard our case. And boom! A university was born.

Here’s the thing: we’ve let religion and ethnicity divide us for way too long. But the moment we drop those labels, we’ll see we’re all after the same thing: growth, progress, and a better future. That’s the energy I carried into this project. I wasn’t pushing a political agenda; I was pushing development.

You see, social capital is like money in the bank. If you sit on it, it does nothing. But if you invest it wisely, the returns are massive. I used mine not for personal gain but for the good of my people. Regardless of their background, I reached out to decision-makers and got the support needed to make this dream a reality. And let’s be real, none of this would’ve been possible without divine intervention. So, shoutout to the Big Man upstairs.

Now, I didn’t do this alone. A massive thanks to stakeholders, colleagues, and supporters who helped push this bill through. Because of you, students in Southern Kaduna now have a federal university right in their backyard. And that’s only the beginning.

I’m not stopping here. There’s more work to do. I’m already advocating for science teachers in secondary schools because our students need the right foundation to thrive in this fast-moving world. I’ve also launched ICT training for young people in Southern Kaduna because, let’s face it, digital skills are the future.

Security is another major issue, and I won’t sugarcoat it. Some of our people have gotten involved in crime, which must stop. I’ve been working closely with security agencies to tackle the rising cases of banditry and kidnappings, especially in Kauru and Kachia. The military has approved two Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Kauru to combat the situation.

And let me set the record straight: what’s happening in Southern Kaduna isn’t some herder-farmer crisis. It’s pure criminality. That’s why we’re taking decisive action. If you’re involved, my advice? Walk away now or face the consequences.

Remember the Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa Memorial Hospital in Kafanchan? I’ve been pushing for its upgrade to a Federal Medical Centre, and the bill is now awaiting a public hearing in the Senate. A similar bill has already passed the third reading in the House of Representatives. Once both bills are harmonized, we’ll be one step closer to making it official.

A huge shoutout to the Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum for informing the people. The media plays a big role in shaping public opinion, and I encourage journalists to keep reporting facts, not fiction.

Progress is what truly matters. We can achieve so much more if we put aside our differences and focus on what unites us. The Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, is proof of that. And trust me—this is just the beginning. Let’s keep pushing forward together!