The Kebbi State University of Science and Technology (KSUSTA) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned the management of the Institution to resolve the lingering problems to avert crisis in the University.
The branch Chairman, Abubakar Birnin-Yauri, gave the warning at Press conferences in Birnin Kebbi.
Reading from a text jointly signed by the Chairman and the branch Secretary, Gado Abubakar, Birnin-Yauri, solicited the intervention of Labour activists, traditional institutions, religious leaders, parents, students, traders, professional groups, civil society organisations and progressive members of the public to save education in Kebbi State.
According to ASUU Chairman, the Media briefing is borne out of the desire to halt an impending collapse of once a high flourishing centre of learning in the North West geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
“The heat generated by what one will call absolute neglect has become unbearable resulting to mass exodus of our members to other climes in search of greener pasture.
Birnin-Yauri said regardless of such ill treatment, the academic staff of the State owned University have remained committed to the mission and vision of the University.
The ASUU chairman added that the union held series of meetings and consultations with the University management, Governing Council, the State Ministry of Higher Education and prominent personalities, including the academia to prevail on the Kebbi State Government to address the lingering issues affecting the university to no avail.
“Staff of KSUSTA are yet to enjoy consequential salary adjustment being implemented since 2019 in all public service, both states and federal establishments including academic institutions”,
Dr. Birnin-Yauri informed newsmen that ASUU has written several letters to the University management, the Governing Council, the Ministry of Higher Education and the State Government to solve the problem without positive result.
“Additionally, the payment of interim ASUU – FG 35% and 25% salary increment for academic staff of Nigerian Universities, approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the N35, 000 increment (wage award) for all Nigerian workers, effective October 2023 – March 2024, fully implemented by President Tinubu has not been implemented by the Aliero University, KSUSTA”.
“Inspite of the prolonged industrial action in Nigerian Universities, ASUU-KSUSTA has never skipped any academic session. This shows the level of commitment and unwavering dedication on the part of KSUSTA staff towards ensuring that the only state owned University excels among its contemporaries, but the zeal is gradually dwindling due to poor welfare of lecturers”, Birnin-Yauri said.
He appealed to the authorities concerned to evolve more strategies to protect lives and property of workers in the university to prevent the reduction of the workforce due to fear of insecurity.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
