Insurgency: How University of Maiduguri remained in session despite Boko Haram activities -Prof Njodi
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
A former Vice Chancellor of University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, has recounted how the varsity under his watch took far reaching decisions to remain in session.
Njodi revealed that although painful but were taken to save the lives of members of the university community. Recall that the former University don, now Gombe Secretary to State Government (SSG), became Vice Chancellor of the prestigious institution during the hit of the Boko Haram insurgency.
He disclosed this on Thursday, while delivering a maiden lecture themed; University Management in an insurgency ridden environment: Experiences of University Maiduguri during the Boko Haram uprising (2014-2019), at the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State.
“In war-like situations such as the Boko Haram Terrorism, some unusually painful and drastic measures were necessary to save lives and property. This is more so since the terrorists employ different types of tactics to cause harm including death to innocent people. As Vice Chancellor, after wide consultations with the University security committee, I directed the closure of all major and pedestrians entry gates into the University except one. This allowed only University staff to come into the University using vehicles. At the height of bombing attacks and fears, staff members were not allowed to go out with their vehicles. They were mandated to park their vehicles within the University premises, and use other means of transportation to attend to their demands outside the University.
“Similarly, students and visitors were not allowed to come into the campus with their cars or any means of transportation. Cars were parked outside the campus, and all pedestrians were thoroughly searched for any suspicious items in pockets, in clothes and in bags. At a point, even big veils and khimaar were temporarily banned. All types of bags were prohibited and banned. All other considerations were put aside, after all only the living can enjoy life including practising any religious obligations,” Njodi explained.
He said, “The University sort for and was granted a temporary status of an Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDP) largely because many people moved into the campus for safety. A house for six (6) people was essentially occupied by an average fifteen.
“Indeed, the risky and suicidal decisions and policies we took such as not allowing the University to close for even a day helped to stabilize the security situation and served as a clear case of defiance to the devastating ideals of Boko Haram which is against Western Education. I am today a proud man because the decision and actions we took, risky and dangerous as they were, have given rise to an atmosphere of new thinking in both government and civil society circles as to how best to address the Boko Haram insurgency, secure and restore lasting peace and prosperity in the region.
“More than ever before, the singular decision of the University Management not to close the institution because of Boko Haram has helped to provide the basis for the emergence of stronger synergy between governments and civil society organisations. The result today is the birth of citizens oriented projects and programmes such as rehabilitation/ constructions of housing, agriculture and road infrastructure, schools and other educational institutions across the North-East regions. Governance at both public and private domains has become very inclusive and security conscious. University of Maiduguri became a shining example of how to defy terrorism and extremism.”
According to him, the insurgency evolved from an infamous protest against riders helmet, which led to the death of some riders loyal to Mohammed Yusuf.
“The Boko Haram insurgency effectively started in 2009 on a protest against Government’s policy to impose the use of crash helmet by motor cycle riders. A clash between the protesters and security agencies resulted in the death of some motor cycle riders who were believed to be members of an Islamic group led by Muhammad Yusuf. The protest which turned violent and deadly reached its peak in 2015.
“The purpose of this presentation is however, not to delve into the history of Boko Haram insurgency but rather, to deal with lessons learnt and share with the public my experiences as the Vice Chancellor during the unfortunate development in terms of challenges of governance as it affect the overall running of the University,” he added.
While calling on citizens to take ownership, Njodi, stressed that the war against insurgency required massive support.
He said, “The fight against terrorism requires all hands to be on deck. You can help reduce the chances of a terrorist attack by enlisting everybody to keep an eye out for suspicious situations, such as an unattended suitcase or bag or someone with a conspicuous level of interest in specific buildings such as lecture halls/theatres, hostels, staff quarters etc.
“With these in mind, I decided to engage and involve the students, after all as their “in loco parentis”, I must do everything possible to keep them safe. The welfare of students became my number one priority. I personally visited them in their hostels, eating and exchanging pleasantries with them. Going round Classes, Lecture halls and Lecture theatres to observe my students became a routine.”
Also speaking, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashere, Prof. Umar Pate, said the lecture can be best described epoch ceremony, adding that it would become a continuous tradition.
Pate noted that varsity is on a mission to develop relevant human and material resources for the development of Nigeria.
“Today is a happy day in the Federal University Kashere. It is a significant day in the history of our young university. As this will become a major activity in our calendar of events in the University. Similarly, am happy to welcome the representative of his excellency, the governor of Gombe State Alh. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, members of the state house of Assembly, members of the state executive council senior government officials, traditional rulers, distinguished scholars, and well wishers.
“Federal University Kashere is a young institution with about 10,000 students and about 3,000 academic and non teaching staff. It is an institution with a vision and a mission to develop relevant human and material resources for the development of the Nation.”
He added, “One of my cardinal objective here is to promote physical development of the institution as well to sustain quality assurance in all that we do. Further more, I’m committed to staff and students welfare and enhanced community relations. I must express sincere appreciation to the state government and people of Gombe State, under the able leadership of the governor Alh. Inuwa Yahaya for the recognition, support and cooperation rendered to the University.”
