Rabiu Omaku
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council, Comrade Dogo Shammah has appealed to the rector of the Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia Dr. Silas Gyar to be open to Journalists at all times.
He hinted this during a press briefing held in the institution, saying any attempt to ignore Journalists can amount to colossal damage.
“Create time for my people or you should direct Journalists to see the Public Relations Officer, Muktar Wakeel in other to avoid future occurrence”.
“Mr. Rector makes your doors open for our men to get information when the time arises, and on our part, we are doing every possible best to restore the image of the professional.
“Let me inform this gathering that the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council in a move to ensure that practitioners abide by the code and ethics of the profession we set up a disciplinary committee”.
Comrade Dogo Shammah said the aimed of the committee was to dealt with junk Journalists causing havoc to the system and the public.
The rector, Dr.Silas Gyar while reacting over the fifteen items pointed out by an online platform, Universal Reporters confirmed that the Polytechnic was in Chief Magistrate Court with a disengaged staff, Mansur Musa who is claiming N270, 000.
He also confirmed that the Polytechnic suspended a female staff that swindled school fees of about 97 students.
While reacting he said over four staff that swindled school fees in 2004 unfolded that only 2 staff was involved, stating further that the 2 staff involved has refunded N4m.
Dr. Silas Gyar also shedding more light on the N5m professional fees for Assets evaluation, the Rector said the Valuers are by law entitled to 10 percent professional fees, agreeing that the Polytechnic hired the service of outside Assets Valuers.
“Now their professional fees should be about N200m with the new buildings in the institution, though when I took over from my predecessor the arrangement was there I insisted that they should slash part of the N5m and they did”.
Commenting on the sponsorship of outsiders to seminar and workshops, Dr. Gyar confided that his wife traveled once for a workshop.
“Is my right also applicable to my wife but not out rightly as reported, I paid my driver from my purse”. saying is not going strictly by ensuring that he has what belongs to him, but is making sacrifices to the Polytechnic.
On the issue of boycotting the ongoing screening exercise embarked by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the headship of the Polytechnic said the institution is ready for the screening exercise.
“We submitted a list of our staff for the screening exercise” he added.
He further denied an attempt to access loan from United Bank for Africa, adding that the account of the Polytechnic is still with UBA.
Dr. Silas Gyar also attested to Journalists that no single building was erected by the Polytechnic rather were built by either TETFUND or the state government.
“We don’t have money to embark on new structures and the press cannot demand any project from us from this lean Internally Generated Revenue.
Silas Gyar assured the State Council Chairman of total cooperation with Journalists in the state.
“Henceforth I will ensure that we create time for our friends, the press, appreciating the NUJ.
