Former students of Federal Government College Kaduna have expressed strong displeasure over an alleged encroachment by the Kaduna state government on their school land.
They vowed never to allow the state government nor any of its agents whether now or in future to take over any part of the school land under whatever guise without express permission given by the federal government.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Sunday over the alleged encroachment, the National President of the Old Students Association of the college, Mr Seyi Gambo said the Kaduna state government had been using different tactics and excuses particularly insecurity situation in the state to “illegally” take possession of about 45 metres stretch of land at the South-western part of the school to put up private structures.
He said the state government began this move in 2014 and when objection was raised against it by the Federal Ministry of Education, it gave it another try the following year which was also rebuffed by the same federal ministry.
He said now the same state government has not only renewed the move but has already taken a step by starting a private housing project on the same portion of the land about a week ago with works going on daily.
While alleging that the state government had to break the perimeter fence to gain access into the encroached portion, Gambo explained that this time around, the state government is hammering the prevailing insecurity situation in the state for the fresh move.
According to him, the state government has not only taken the 45 meters stretch from the school land, but it has also started mapping out foundations to erect the structures with works going on at a fast speed.
A letter to effect this latest move, dated 17th April 2023 and written by the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority to the Principal of the college on the matter, is sighted by Nigerian Tribune.
In the letter signed by the director-general of the agency, Ismail Umaru-Dikko, and titled: “Excision of Un-utilised land along the stretch of River Kaduna for security reasons, the state government confirmed the excision of the portion of the land giving security challenges, particularly in schools with a large expanse of un-utilised land as a reason.
This development to us, Gambo said, is shocking because no state government as far as Nigeria is concerned has the power under whatever guise to dispose of the Federal Government from its land without express permission by the latter.
“So, we the alumni as critical stakeholders in the college won’t sit down watching Kaduna state government or any of its agents illegally take possession of part of our school land whether now or in future and for whatever reason,” he emphasised.
Gambo said the Kaduna state government is even aware that the alumni association of the college has raised a substantial amount of money recently among themselves for some developmental projects in the college and that there would also be a need for future expansion and therefore wondered why the same state government is now converting part of the school land to a private housing project.
He said what political leaders and elders are supposed to be more concerned about in the country is how to strengthen public schools and make them attain global standards rather than converting their lands to private estates for the rich and top government officials.
Gambo, therefore, called on the Kaduna state government to stop work and vacate the school land and never to think of making such a move in future again.
While also asking the Federal Government and its relevant ministries and agencies not to keep quiet over the matter but to act immediately and drive away Kaduna State government from the school land, Gambo said that both the Federal and Kaduna state governments are being controlled by the same ruling All Progressives Congress does not mean things should not be done right in the country.
He said if the Kaduna state government should be allowed to have its way on this matter, it would serve as precedence for other state governments to do the same with other unity colleges in their respective states.
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