By INFACTNG
The dream by the Nigerian Army to establish a specialised higher
institution of learning which would provide academic knowledge in
countering terrorism ideologies moved closer to reality as the
Nigerian Senate commends hearing to consider a Bill for its
establishment.
The Senate Committee on Army Public Hearing to consider the Bill for
the Establishment of the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) was held
on 16 June 2020.
Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt General Tukur Buratai who made
a presentation to the Committee said the NAUB will address the
critical need for education in different specialised fields.
He said the university is equally positioned to provide necessary
academic programmes to counter negative narratives and ideology of the
terrorists.
“It is one of the Nigerian Army’s major efforts in the pursuit of
winning the hearts and minds of the society and a remarkable milestone
in promoting excellent civil-Mil relations,”Buratai said.
The COAS also made it clear that “every eligible Nigerian,
irrespective of geographical location, language, tribe or religion has
equal opportunity to pursue academic learning in the university,”
while expressing gratitude to the President and Commander -in-Chief,
President Muhammadu Buhari for given the approval to establish the
university in the year 2018.
The NAUB which is located in Biu LGA of Borno State has since been
running courses in different academic fields. It is gradually becoming
a citadel of learning and emerging Centre for academic and
intellectual excellence.
However, critics have remained steadfast at questioning the
establishment of the university in the home town of the Army Chief.
“This is continuing the culture of impunity where public office
holdings sink projects in their own localities without considering the
appropriateness of such action,” a source said.
