The Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, BEPU, in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the pressing needs of the people who have long endured infrastructural neglect and lack of federal representation.
Chairman of the union, Isah Muhammad, in a statement, said, “While insecurity has been cited as a reason for inaction, it is precisely this challenge that necessitates increased government presence and intervention. Security, development, and fair representation must go hand in hand to restore stability and prosperity to Birnin Gwari and Kaduna State at large.
He lamented that the people remain excluded from federal appointments, saying that the absence of representation contradicts the principles of fairness, national integration, and inclusive governance.
Muhammad appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that Birnin Gwari receives its rightful share of federal appointments, believing that their people have consistently demonstrated loyalty and commitment to peace, and urged the government not to mistake their patience for complacency.
“We seek inclusion, recognition, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He noted that despite numerous promises, including the reported award of the road rehabilitation to Dangote Group of Companies under a tax-credit arrangement, no tangible progress has been made, stressing that the road remains in a deplorable state, riddled with potholes, and has become a death trap for travelers.
According to him, a path to security and economic growth lies in education, which is a fundamental pillar of national development and a tool for addressing insecurity. He said that Birnin Gwari has long suffered from a lack of tertiary institutions, despite its strategic location and the need for educational opportunities to uplift the youth.
BEPU, therefore, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to consider locating the proposed Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Birnin Gwari.
Such an institution, he believed, would not only provide much-needed healthcare training and services but also stimulate economic activities, generate employment, and contribute to long-term peace in the region. He also advocated for the establishment of a University of Forestry and Environmental Sciences in Birnin Gwari. Given their vast natural resources, the institution would serve as a center for research and sustainable environmental management, positioning Nigeria as a leader in climate resilience.
He called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to take urgent measures to restore banking and telecommunication services in Birnin Gwari.
Additionally, he urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to establish a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) center in the area to facilitate students’ access to higher education opportunities, lamenting that the shortage of teachers in primary and secondary schools across Birnin Gwari remains a critical concern as many schools lack instructors for core subjects, exacerbating educational decline.
BEPU also appealed to the Kaduna State Government, the Teachers Service Board (TSB), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to urgently recruit and deploy teachers to ensure quality education for the next generation.
He appealed to the Governor of Kaduna State to expedite the completion of the Birnin Gwari–Randagi road and engage with the Federal Ministry of Works for the swift rehabilitation of other critical routes, including:
Kaduna–Birnin Gwari (120 km), Birnin Gwari–Funtua (167 km) and Birnin Gwari–Tegina (100 km).