RE - ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CLEANSING OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA BY OLUFEMI OPEYEMI.


My attention was drawn to an article published by Sahara Reporters and written by one Olufemi Opeyemi. This article to say the least, is nothing but an attempt to distort the truth and falsify history. I intend to respond to his allegations here before going to the same media he used to discredit the good people of Katsina State, and the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Dutsin-ma.
He started his gibberish with the accusation that the appointment of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Abdu Kaita and other VCs alongside was not done according to the due process. A little further, he insisted that the University Bursar was, according to him, "duly appointed" by the Federal Ministry of Education but removed by by the VC. What he did not know is the fact that appointment of Bursar is almost same as that of the Vice Chancellor. There must be advertisement for the positionnto be published in at least three national dailies; an interview and appointment by the University Council. The due process was violated but because it served this Olufemi very well, it is not mentioned. It is perfect. No problem because it served one of his own.
2.This writer, of neither fixed address nor true identity claimed that the former Bursar of the University was removed because he was a Christian. I laughed at this absurdity. The former Bursar conspired with the former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayatse to recklessly loot the funds of the University close to a billion naira. He was most willing to leave the post when his dirty secrets where unearthed. The former Vice Chancellor is still visiting the EFCC Zonal office at the moment of Olufemi's write up.
3. He also accused the present Vice Chancellor of lopsided appointments of principal officers including the University Librarian and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Admin. But these two (yes, the latter is a Christian) got their positions during the former VC. This is distortion of truth aimed at black painting the present VC.During Ayatse's reign of terror, many people, mostly Muslims, were sacked, others denied promotion on suspicion of being informants to his petitioners. Preferential treatment was Ayatse's identity as appointments and study fellowships were given in his Deeper Life Church. Even Christians outside his denomination were persecuted, let alone Muslims.
4. This writer is very economical of the truth, I won't hesitate to add. That could be the reason behind his decision not to reveal his identity. He coined a term, "Northernisation" of ABU Zaria. What he did not hasten to add was "Southernisation" of University of Ibadan or the "Easternisation" of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Again, he deliberately avoided the "Beanuesation" of Dutsin-ma. There was a time when members of staff of certain departments in the University were from Benue, the home State of Prof. Ayatse.
5. Olufemi also complained of the non-presence of ASUU body in the University. He said the Union was supposed to be in place after the University fourth year. What he refused to tell the readers was that Prof. Ayatse thwarted all efforts to introduce the Union. Remember, he was the VC for complete 5 years.
6. It is very easy to see why the article carried the above article. Ethno-religious titles carry heavy undertones to Nigerian readers. But the naked truth is that the Christian religion does not support thieves and hooligans. Therefore, what ever the olufemis would call the VC, they could not distract him in his tireless efforts to cleanse the mess created by Ayatse's five year misrule. Remember, even the House Committee on Education of the National Assembly at that time found the dirty abnormalities played by Prof. Ayatse but the whole thing was silenced because we are in Nigeria.
7. This warning serves as final note, we would never relent in our quest for justice on the mismanagement of funds, lopsidedness in appointments and deprivation of admission formula done to the people of Katsina by the former VC. Today, every State has a Federal University (thanks to the former President.) Thus, if you accuse Katsina people of marginalising the Federal University in Katsina State, then help us with the payroll of the sister University in your State. We can compare and operate like you! The fact that we are a conservative people does not in any way mean that you can take a pen and abuse us and expect us to keep mum.