Staff of IMAPOLY(Former Nasarawa Poly) Stranded In UK As TETFUND Withdrew Sponsorship
Rabiu Omaku
Scores of Academic staff of the Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia who went for further studies in the diaspora are passing through bad moments following the withdrawal of Tertiary Education Trust Fund from sponsorship of staff from the institution for further studies be it home or foreign sponsorship.
The academic staff cut across other countries at the moment could not further their studies due to lack of funds from their sponsors, a competent source says the position of TETFUND was a reaction to the unilateral decision taken by the State Government forgiven the former management of the institution, including the former Rector, Silas Gyar who sometimes ago changed his name to Dodgabo Ronkpa, The then Registrar, Labani Dio, and Abdullahi Agyo, The Bursar.
The decision did not go down well with TETFUND as the huge amount of money for staff development went down the drain are purely TETFUND money, which the state government has no business with but went ahead and waive the swindled funds rendering the findings of the probe panel headed by the current Commissioner of education, Fati Sabo Jimeta useless.
The discontinuation of sponsorship of staff by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund continued to generate reactions by the yet-to-benefit staff of IMAPOLY. The withdrawal of the sponsorship also affects other areas of intervention like the execution of projects, provision of equipment, Human Capital Development, sponsorship of seminars and workshops as well as Book writing which attracts a colossal amount of money.
The decision to stop further sponsorship in the institution is a time bomb ready to explode, the embargo placed on the institution is two steps backward, this is not unconnected to the embezzlement of monies by the past management
The Rector of the institution, Dr. Justina Anjide Kotso declined to comment over the latest development which would seriously pin the institution down academically.
Some of the challenges of IMAPOLY also include the inability of the state Government to implement four years outstanding promotions of staff of the institution which was a nightmare to the majority of the workforce, other challenges are the acute shortage of manpower in all the Departments,
For the institution to take her better place amongst its peers, the Governor should have a rethink by reversing the decision, prosecute the offenders as well implement the Fati Sabo probe panel report to the fullest.
