“Give us our entitlement, Stop Playing Politics” Host Community Tells Bingham University Management

Some concerned indigenes of Karu Community in Nasarawa State have called on the Management of Bingham University, Karu, to accord them their right by appointing their people into key management positions in the institution.

It would be recalled that a group who identified themselves as Coalition for Peace and Justice in Nigeria (CPJN), had condemned the people’s demand for indigenes of the host community to hold key positions in the university management board, noting that institution was not existing on ethnic ground.

According to a rejoinder, titled: ‘Addressing Misrepresentation and Demands for Transparency at Bingham University,’ made available to Journalists on Wednesday, The Spokesperson for Karu Youths, Gaza Mark Auta, noted that the community would not be relegated to the background and be cheated upon.

He said : “Our attention has been drawn to some newspaper publications which appeared on Newspapers”.

“It’s really worrisome that a University which is faith based can condescend so low to play dirty politics instead of facing the issues at hand. It chose a faceless group to do its dirty job in order to tarnish the image of the host community on national dailies”.

“The group however gave away the identity of its sponsor when it unconsciously repeated the recalcitrant views expressed by one of the representatives of the University management at a meeting that was convened by the Area Commander at the Esu Karu Palace on the 14th day of May, 2024 with a view to amicably resolving the issue”.

“The said meeting had in attendance Esu Karu, the Area Commader, NPF Karu LGA, DSS Director Karu, Area Commander, NSCDC ECWA Trustee Gada Zone, Bingham Management and Representatives of the host community. Such a convenient coincidence”.

“While the Coalition for Peace and Justice in Nigeria (CPJN) has expressed its tutored views on the recent protest against Bingham University, it is essential to consider the organization’s legitimacy”.

“According to available information, the CPJN is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria. Without proper registration, its claims lack official recognition”.

“Transparency and accountability are crucial in any advocacy group, and being a faceless and unregistered association raises valid concerns about its credibility”.

“As discussions continue, stakeholders should prioritize adherence to legal processes and transparency to ensure meaningful dialogue and positive outcomes”.

“It is essential to address the misinformation being propagated by the so-called Coalition for Peace and Justice in Nigeria (CPJN), which operates as a faceless and illegal entity”.

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“The CPJN’s sole aim appears to be to mislead the public and divert public attention from the injustice being perpetrated against the host community by Bingham University, bout unfortunately for him, the host community is enjoying more sympathy. Dr Kessignton claims to be the convener of the group, we wonder what kind of a ‘Doctor’ he is”.

“A Doctor who condescends to do the bidding for pocket change. Well, we know times are hard and some people can do anything to make ends meet.

“Firstly, it is important to note that the protesting youths engaged peacefully with the ECWA Executives, who own Bingham University”.

“It is curious that the CPJN has only chosen to focus on the issue of the Registrar position, while the youths made eight comprehensive demands. These demands encompass a range of issues beyond the Registrar appointment, highlighting the community’s broader concerns and need for transparency. Historically, the first three Registrars at Bingham University retired at the age of 70”.

“The sudden change in criteria, limiting the age to below 60 years, raises questions about the transparency of the selection process”.

“The said change is contrary to the clear and unambiguous provisions of Paragraph 15.2(I) of the Bingham University Conditions of Service for Senior Staff, 2007 (as amended 2021) which provides as follows:
“A Staff shall retire at the age of 65 for Academic staff below the rank of Associate Professor and 60 for Non-Academic staff below the rank of Deputy Registrar. RETIREMENT FOR NON-ACADEMIC STAFF OF THE RANK OF DEPUTY REGISTRAR AND ABOVE SHALL BE AFTER 65 YEARS AND 70 YEARS FOR ACADEMIC STAFF FROM THE RANK OF ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR”. (emphasis ours). If the purported Dr. Kensington were as smart and intelligent as he professes, he would have taken his time to study the said conditions of service rather than rushing to press with misinformation. For the records, youths are not asking for favoritism; they are demanding a fair and transparent process.
Dr. Kensington Ogbu’s claim that many Gbagyi individuals hold significant positions at the university is misleading”.

“The positions mentioned, such as Director of Works (DoW), Academic Secretary, and Heads of Departments (HoDs), are not top management roles. It is disingenuous to equate these positions with executive management positions like the Registrar.
The issue of land compensation also needs clarification”.

“While Dr. Ogbu claims that adequate compensation was paid, the reality is different. The host community provided 220 hectares of land to Bingham University. However, the University annexed an additional adjoining 120 hectares, totaling 340 hectares”.

“By the provisions of Section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, no movable property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taken possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law that, among other things
(a) requires the prompt payment of compensation therefrom; and
(b) gives to any person claiming such compensation a right of access for the datermination of his interest in the property and the amount of compensation to a court of law or tribunal or body having jurisdiction in that part of Nigeria”.

“Since Dr. Kensington Ogbu is claiming that “adequate compensation” was paid to the host community, he ought to have come clean to disclose how much compensation was paid, was any assessment done to determine what was to be paid? Who did the the assessment? By the assessment, what was the value of each plot or hectare of land that was paid for? What was the size of land acquired? Was any notice of acquisition given to the landowners? If Dr. Kensington Ogbu cannot answer these questions, it then mean that he went to press without facts”.

“We would want him to take those questions to his sponsors and advise them to be prepared to answer them when they wake up from their deep and peaceful slumber, because we are certainly going to ask those questions at the appropriate time and venue, Courts inclusive.

“If the University decided to show appreciation by paying a pittance to some very few individuals that were claiming portions of land in the area, does that mean that the entire land was paid for? Was it the land freely gifted that was paid for, or was the annexed land that was paid for? What of other communities and people with adjoining lands whose age long rights of way were blocked by the University, were they paid too?

“Furthermore, it is important to correct Dr. Ogbu’s misconceptions about the relationship between the youths and the ECWA leadership”.

“The ECWA position is an elective one, while the Chancellor’s role is merely ceremonial. The protesting youths are not aligned with the ECWA President and Chancellor, making it impossible for them to be sponsors of the protests”.

“It was rather the University management that pleaded with HRH the Esu Karu to call the youths for dialogue. It is this same management that has turned round to blackmail him, through proxies. This is uncharitable”.

“The university should address the actual issues raised to find a lasting solution, rather than engaging unknown and faceless organizations to tarnish the image of the youths”.

“The youths are determined to have their demands met and will not rest until justice and fairness are achieved. Bingham University should remember the consequences faced by Karl Kum University when their certificate was withdrawn due to similar disputes”.

“It is evident that a small clique within the university’s management is attempting to monopolize the Registrar position, potentially to conceal the injustice going on their even though a Christian school”.

“We call on the owners of the University to investigate these allegations thoroughly and ensure that transparency and fairness prevail. The community demands transparency, fairness, and justice”.

“Addressing these issues directly will foster a better relationship between the university and its host community, ensuring peace and progress for all parties involved rather than engaging in negative commentary and ungodly propaganda”.