The Triumph of Legacy: Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, and the Birth of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin

By: Alfred Saiki,

Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, Member Representing Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam (PKK) Federal Constituency of Plateau State in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly (NASS), on Monday, the 23^rd of September 2024, stood before a crowd of staff, students, traditional rulers, visitors, and people of the Constituency, that gathered at the unveiling of the Federal University of Education, Pankshi, speaking, with his voice carrying the weight of history, a story of struggle, sacrifice, and vindication.

Yusuf Gagdi, stood before them, with his eyes scanning the faces he had come to know so well, people for whom he had fought tirelessly. He had heard the whispers, the accusations, and the doubts. However, on this day, he was not there to defend his name. He was there for something greater—something that would outlive him.

RT. HON. GAGDI, OTHERS

In his words he said, "I saw in the media yesterday, where people were saying I singlehandedly brought this University. Whether it was singlehandedly or a coalition of efforts, whatever it is, I want posterity to judge me kindly".

According to him, his eyes scanning the faces before him. Adding that, "FCE Pankshin is now a Federal University".

His words were met with applause, but Yusuf Gagdi was not after praise. He wanted the truth to stand the test of time, for history to be kind, not to him, but to the people of his Constituency and the generations yet unborn. He had fought for them, shed blood for them, and now he was ready for whatever judgment would come.

 Gagdi, in the Spirit of Representation said, "If removing Yusuf Adamu Gagdi will be your pills for High Blood Pressure," he said with a dry smile, "Please delete my name from this development. Let there be a Federal University of Education, Pankshin. That is what I want. Do not look at Gagdi, look at the University."

To some, he was just another politician. But for him, this University was not about titles or accolades—it was about PKK, his home, his people, his legacy. 

RT. HON. GAGDI

"Whether it was singlehandedly or done by us all, Pankshin, the Headquarters of my Constituency, has the first Federal University of Education in North Central Nigeria". He landed forcefully.

You would recall that years of mockery and accusations had dogged his every step. They called him a liar, a fraud, a 419er who used the university to scam the people of PKK. But he has kept his faith, believing that someday, TRUTH would outshine the noise.

"When I visited President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said I should sit down. I said, I will not sit down, rather, I will kneel down". 

GAGDI

His humility before the nation's leader has continued to reflect his humility before his people. He pleaded for them, for the dream of a university, and for the future of Pankshin to the President and those around him.

Gagdi finding his voice at the occasion said, "I said, Sir, my people have called me different names. They have blackmailed me. I need you to help me.

“And that help came, not just from the President, but from fate itself. Today, I am an exonerated man".

While proclaiming the joy of vindication glowing in his words, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Gagdi said, "The God of Yusuf, the God of Muhammadu, the God of Ngolong Ngas, the God of everybody here has finally exonerated your Son!”

Facts are that, with the University standing tall, the pages of his humiliation is now closed. But his work was not yet done.

Hence, turning to the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, at the occasion, through the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly (PLHA), Gagdi once again pleaded—not for himself, but for the future of the Federal University of Education Pankshin for the prospect of the New Born University.

He said, "I am on my bended knees, I plead on behalf of this community, do not allow my child to die. My voice thickened with emotion. Let us see the prospect of this university and the value it will add to our people. We shouldn't view the University with the narrow lens of politics."

RT. HON. YUSUF GAGDI

In the end, RT. HON. YUSUF GAGDI’s story was simple:

His is the main man for his people. A man who kneelt not in defeat, but in devotion. A man who fought for what he believes in and would continue fighting, for as long as his blood remains that of a Son from the lands of PKK and Plateau State at large.