Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago says the State owned University, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University IBBU Lapai has come to stay and the State government will do everything within its power to protect it.
The Governor stated this when he met with stakeholders from Lapai Emirate, and the IBBU at the Government House, Minna, to discuss issues concerning the recent security breaches that led to the closure of the school indefinitely.
He enjoined the Management of the institution to liaise with the State Security Committee to put mechanisms in place that include recruitment, training and equipping individuals that will provide security in the Institution, make new students and staff Identity Card with a code containing detailed information of the holder to ensure access control within the University.
The Governor said under his watch such security breaches will not be tolerated, adding that parents must be reassured of the safety of their children even as the Parents will also be made to sign undertaking on the conduct of their Children in the University’s community as decisive action would be taken against students disrupting the stability of the institution.
He also advised the School Management to collaborate with developers for a Built, Operate and Transfer BOT initiative to address the issue of accommodation for Students, and to be more innovative to boost their revenue for the rapid growth and development of the Institution rather than relying on the State government.
The Governor directed that University Management should in the next three years ensure that all the satellite campuses are closed down and all courses moved to the main campus in Lapai.
He maintained that the Institution will only be reopened when the security architecture in the School is rejigged to guarantee the safety of Students, Staff, and property.
The Governor emphasised the need for the host community to co-exist with the University’s community for the socio-economic growth and development of the local government area.
He said a town hall meeting will be held with Lapai stakeholders soon to drive home the government’s position, adding that efforts will be made in collaboration with the Council Chairman to organise a vigilante group to beef up security in the Local government.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Abdullahi Adamu Mamagi, and the Lapai Local Government council Chairman, Abdullahi Musa Kirikpo in their separate remarks highlighted the inadequate hostel accommodation for students and insufficient security personnel, among other challenges confronting the Institution, and appealed to the Governor to use his good office to wade into the situation for lasting solutions.
The Vice Chancellor of IBBU Lapai, Prof. Mohammed Hadi Suleiman highlighted efforts of the Institution to attract interventions for more hostel accommodation for the Students.
