The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi, has distanced itself from a group of ex-students of the university who disrupted a senate public hearing on a bill seeking to amend the law establishing the institution.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Shehu Buba, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, seeks to amend the law establishing ATBU by changing its status from a university of science and technology to a conventional university.
Reacting to the disruption, the university’s management, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Zailani Bappa, described the group as impostors and not genuine graduates of the institution.
“The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, wishes to distance itself from the actions of these impostors, who are not graduates of the university.
“The ATBU prides itself on producing disciplined students who have remained good ambassadors of the university across the globe for more than four decades.
“Hence, the university is confident that its genuine graduates would never engage in any action capable of showing disrespect to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
Bappa expressed dismay that the actions of the alleged impostors led to the adjournment of the public hearing.
He also urged stakeholders to be cautious and verify the identity of any individuals claiming to represent or speak on behalf of the university in future engagements.
It will be recalled that the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund commenced public hearings on the amendment bill last Thursday, but the proceedings were disrupted by the group, forcing an indefinite adjournment.