Senate Canvasses Decentralisation of Army Varsity

The Senate on Tuesday canvassed for the decentralisation of the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State, with a view to enhancing technological development and prevention of crimes across the country. It has, therefore, called on both the Nigerian Army as well as the National Universities Commission (NUC) to take necessary steps in this regard. The upper legislative chamber's Committee on Army made this call at a one-day public hearing on the establishment of the institution. Chairman of the committee, Senator Ali Ndume, told the authorities of the Nigerian army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, that campuses of the institution should be sited in each of the six geo-political zones in the country. According to him, the idea will not only guarantee unity, but further help in reducing crimes in the various zones. Ndume said: "We will consider recommending the establishment of the Nigerian Army University in all the six geopolitical zones in the country. We have said at the public hearing that that is the best way to go, and the army and NUC agreed with our suggestion.” Commenting on the university's admission policy, Ndume claimed that there was no quota system in the two admissions carried out so far in the higher institution, adding that about 80 percent of students in the school are drawn from the other five zones apart from the North-east region. According to him, "If you look at the admission details, about 80 per cent of the students so far admitted and registered are from other geopolitical zones apart from the Northeast. In other federal government universities in the country, they set catchment areas but this is not the case here because there is no state of origin here. Once you are a Nigerian and you meet the admission requirements, you will be admitted. "The difference between the Army University and the Nigerian Defence Academy is that any student could go to the former either as a civilian or a military officer. Any Nigerian who wants to further his education in a specialised university is free. It is a unique one. You can graduate as a civilian or a military officer unlike the NDA that you can only come out as a soldier." Also speaking, a member of the committee, Senator Uche Ekwunife, said the beneficiary communities, where the proposed campuses would be sited, would gladly donate land. She said: "This is a specialised university and first of its kind in Nigeria. Crime has no colour or religion. Crime is crime in any part of the country. That is why we suggested that we should have campuses in every zone while we have the centre in Borno State where the university is already sited. "It is a noble idea because other committee members supported it. It is right to have the specialised schools in all the zones. It will help us, not only in terms of technological advancement but to also reduce crime rate in Nigeria.” In his remarks, Buratai said the university would benefit all Nigerians regardless of their geopolitical zone. He said it is a world-class university that has been approved by the National Universities Commission. "The University is already living up to its bidding of becoming a truly citadel of learning where every Nigerian has an equal opportunity of gaining admission and pursuing any course of their choice as long as they meet the entry criteria. Statistics from our recent admission exercise testifies this submission and I want to pledge that this and many practices targeted at national cohesion will continue to subsist," he said.