Unity schools old students protest FGC Kaduna encroachment by state government

Members of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) and students, gathered on Saturday in a peaceful demonstration against the encroachment on the land of Federal Government College (FGC) in Kaduna state.

The protesters accused the former administration of Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left office as governor, of taking over 800 plots of land belonging to the school located in Malali village.

The rally, held within the premises of FGC Kaduna, was led by Mike Magaji, the national president of USOSA, and Seyi Gambo, the president of the FGC Kaduna old students association.

The students joined in carrying placards that conveyed their opposition to the alleged landgrab, with messages such as “We say no to land grabbing,” “Land encroachment threatens students’ safety,” and “FGC Kaduna not for sale.”

Addressing journalists during the protest, Magaji emphasized the significance of the encroachment issue.

He said: “As USOSA and as the president of the association, we condemn the encroachment of the land belonging to Federal Government College, Kaduna.”

He further expressed concern over the violation of due process by the previous Kaduna state government, asserting that such actions posed a threat to public education and nation-building.

Magaji highlighted the importance of unity schools in promoting integration and safeguarding the future of education in Nigeria.

Magaji called upon the new Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and facilitate the recovery of the land.

He emphasized that FGC Kaduna is owned by the federal government, not the state government, and urged President Tinubu to fulfill his responsibility in protecting federal government assets across the country.

Magaji further stressed that the future of public education should not be undermined and emphasized the need for increased access and infrastructure rather than the depletion of existing resources.

The association has been in communication with the federal ministry of education regarding the issue and intends to engage in further discussions to restore the original purpose for which the land was designated.

Magaji also revealed that a court injunction pertaining to the matter was disregarded by the previous state government under El-Rufai.