Governor Sule Appeal To Striking Unions of COE, Akwanga

Rabiu Omaku

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has appealed to the striking Unions of College of Education, Akwanga to remain calm and resolute as the State Government is arranging to clear pending staff promotions from 2019 to date.

Abdullahi Sule gave the hint during the distribution of palliative to students of tertiary institutions in the State.

The Governor maintained that the distribution of palliative to students was in continuation of the efforts of his administration to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship.

Governor Abdullahi Sule averred that the distribution of two bags of 7.5kg rice, alongside five thousand naira each to 2000 students at the College of Education Akwanga was meant to alleviate their plight.

Commending the State Commissioner for Special Duties, Humanitarian Affairs and Non- Non-Governmental Organization Hon. Magret I take  Elayo, the Provost of the COE Akwanga, as well as the students for the orderly conduct of the event.

Engineer Abdullahi used the opportunity to inform the students about the efforts being put in place by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the 36 states Governor, as well as other top Government officials, to address the prevailing hardships being experienced by the people.

He explained that even though the hardships were brought about by some policies of the Government, these policies were not implemented to hurt anybody but for the future of the country.

Governor Sule reiterated that both the Federal and State Governments are working hard to alleviate the plight of the people.

“As you all know, we have done so much for the civil servants, retirees, and farmers but when we were sharing food items with vulnerable persons across the State, I came to realize that students were not involved. That is the reason why we decided to go around the State and ensure that we give food to our students in tertiary institutions to support you,” he said.

He added that it is the responsibility of his administration to cushion the effects of the hardships for students in the state.

This is just as he appealed to the striking staff unions at the COE Akwanga to be patient as his administration looks into their group.

“We almost suspended the event today if not for the insistence of the Provost and his management as well as the Commissioner for Special Duties and Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs. Because we were informed that the staff unions were on strike and we didn’t want any situation where there would be problems between the students and the staff,” he added.

He pointed out that, even though he does not see anything wrong with peaceful protest, he still wants to appeal to the striking unions to consider the plight of the students by not truncating their academic activities.

The Governor emphasized that his administration is doing a lot to show sincerity in promoting education and supporting those imparting knowledge to the children.

He disclosed that on coming on board in 2019, his administration approved the recruitment of 286 and 217 academic and nonacademic staff respectively at the COE Akwanga.

“When we came in, we also did everything possible to approve the accreditation of several NCE and undergraduate programmes that were previously not accredited. When we came in in 2019, there were promotions from 2015 to 2018 that were not implemented.  To show good faith, we implemented that promotion.

“We came in and realized that there was no convocation for nearly eight years.  We now approved and held the combined convocation two years ago. When we came in, there were several projects that we brought to this same institution.  We approved several projects including the renovation of hostels that are ongoing, the water project that I even came to inspect the overhead tank. We brought something else we never thought about, the official fiber optics installation that made it possible for students to access free internet and to aid their learning,” he stated.

The Governor noted that while it is their rights to seek for promotion from 2019 to date, the striking unions that the cost of implementing such would be a telling burden on government, especially that government doles out over one hundred million naira as monthly subvention to the institution.

He however denounced the approach where the striking unions are trying to hold the government to ransome.

“We believe it is your rights, the unions, to ask for what you deserve, to ask for this promotion but we strongly plead with you that you can come ahead and do everything that you can so that these students do not loose lectures as a result of that.  I assure you as a state government, even if we are going to do it in stages, we will look at it and carry it out in stages like that of civil servants,” he assured.

In her speech at the event, State Commissioner for Special Duties on Humanitarian Affairs and NGOs, Hon. Magret Elayo, appreciated Governor Sule for taking time out of his tight schedule to bring the dividends of democracy to the students.

Hon. Elayo commended the students for their orderly conduct, assuring them that the administration of Governor Sule will continue to provide them with conducive teaching and learning environment.

She however urged the students to learn the necessary skills as according to her, the government cannot be able to employ everyone.

In a welcome address, the Provost, of the College of Education Akwanga, Rev. Jonathan Wakili Thani, thanked the Governor for putting smiles on the faces of the students of the institution.

“This is a very laudable task. You can see the numerous students that are seated, filled with smiles to receive this palliative that will go a long way in bringing succor to the students,” he said.

In a vote of thanks, the president of the Students Union Government (SUG), Comrade Mustapha Mohammed Umbugus, described Governor Sule as the most youth-friendly governor.

Comrade Umbugus particularly thanked the Governor for showing concern over the prevailing hardships confronting the students and the country at large. 

“Thank you for this commendable and remarkable gesture,” he said.