Bauchi government urged to site higher institution in Toro for equity, fairness

Governor Bala Mohammed

By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi

Bauchi State Government has been called to as a matter of fairness, equity and justice, site a higher institution in Toro LGA of the state or in the interim, move a campus of any of the state owned higher institutions to the area. 
The call was made by Tukur Ibrahim the member representing Toro/Jama’a Constituency in the State House of Assembly when he moved a motion calling on the Bauchi State Government to site one campus of state owned tertiary institutions in the area.
While leading debate on the motion, Tukur Ibrahim explained that Toro Local Government has the oldest school in Bauchi State, the famous Teachers College, Toro established in 1928 and has over 1000 primary schools, four boarding and 14 government owned secondary schools many private Secondary Schools that produce many secondary schools leavers annually.
The legislator added that, “It is disheartening to note that upon all these long history and record that we have in education, none of the campuses of the tertiary institutions of the State was sited in Toro talk less of a full pledged tertiary institution. Politically, Toro produces the highest votes, our people should be compensated.”.
Tukur Ibrahim prayed that government should direct the Ministry of Education to establish a tertiary institution in Toro or on the interim site a campus of any existing tertiary institution in Toro Local Government.
In his contribution,  Saleh Hodi Jibir representing Disina Constituency said that due to population of Toro and history of education in Bauchi State, most of who are products of TC Toro and there is no single higher institution in Toro, there is need to establish a campus in there. 
Bello Muazu Shira representing Shira Constituency opined that it is better to look at educationally backward areas for siting such campuses arguing that Toro is strong in term of education and close to some states that have many tertiary institutions therefore those who are backward educationally should rather be considered.
Yusuf Muhammad Bako representing Pali Constituency in his own opined that Toro is neighbouring Plateau  State and due to the insecurity in the country, it is risky for students to travel to Jos for studies, therefore suggested that one tertiary institutions should be established in Toro as people are vulnerable to the insecurity when they go to Jos for Studies.
Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada representing Bogoro Constituency said that Toro LGA deserves more than a campus but a full fledged tertiary institution. 
 Yunusa Ahmad representing Warji Constituency said that Toro is large and has many secondary schools, establishing campus or new tertiary institution is capital intensive and even the commissioner of education who is from the Local Government told the House that he is an advocate of the cut the cost of governance in the State and even deboarded some secondary schools in the State to cut cost, government should not establish additional campus or tertiary institution.
He added that  for the proximity of Toro to other States they don’t need any other institution, if there is need of any additional institutions it should be taken to disadvantaged local governments.
Bala Abdu Rishi representing Lame Constituency said that Toro deserves it and argued that almost every local government in the State is a border to another State asking, Will you say because Ningi borders Kano and Jigawa States there shouldn’t be a Higher institution there?
Mover of the motion, thanked members for supporting the motion just as Baballe Abubakar Dambam said  that there is criteria for siting such institutions, if Toro suits the criteria, then there is no problem.
He therefore suggested that the motion should be referred to Education committee which the House agreed with and referred the motion to House Committee on education.