By Inusa Ndahi, Damaturu
THE Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yobe State University (YSU) branch, Comrade Ahmed Ibrahim, has alleged that the inability of vested interests of few individuals in positions of authority to settle allowances of staff and maladministration have created tension within the University community.
Comrade Ibrahim stated this at a press briefing which took place in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.
His words: “The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yobe State Chapter held an emergency congress meeting on February 29th, 2024. Our union wishes to appreciate the efforts of his Excellency Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Visitor to Yobe State University, for approving 2019 minimum wage in January, 2023. The emergency congress meeting discussed the blatant lawlessness and punitive abuses of administrative procedures, which have a negative impact on the University’s image and productivity
“ASUU YSU is, therefore, concerned over these developments and calls on the Yobe State Government and the University administration to salvage the institution from the irredeemable path dragged by the vested interests of few individuals in positions of authority with disregard for law and procedures conniving in the name of the Visitor, His Excellency, Hon. Mai Mala Buni to interfere with due process and misappropriate funds meant to settle the backlog welfare of ASUU members.
“The issues raised which ASUU and other discerning minds request for immediate Intervention of the Visitor, include:
“1. Students and Staff Transportation
Following the removal of fuel subsidy, the cost of transportation to and from the University has imposed serious hardship on students, staff and parents leading to delayed lectures, students missing lectures and trekking several kilometers to attend lectures and return home, these put students who close lectures by 5.00pm at risk given the rising cases of crimes and the nature of the state’s security situation.
In response to this, the University has provided three (3) 18-seater buses with support of commercial tricycles operating from only one location (University Bus Stop, along Gujba Road) at rate One Hundred Naira (N100). The buses operating from one location is grossly inadequate especially late evening.
“2. Earn Academic Allowance (EAA)
After years of struggle for, the State Government has approved and commenced payment of EAA, and for two years it has been allocating funds to the University consistently for this Payment. ASUU commends His Excellency for keeping to his promise for uninterrupted release of the funds. Unfortunately, ASUU has been pressing the University administration to release the funds to amounting to One Hundred and Fourty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty, Sixty-One Kobo (N145,714, 360, 61k), but sadly, the University administration has been dragging feet on the matter in violation of the Governor’s efforts to make payment of the EAA.
“Other allowances that have not been paid include:
i. Postgraduate facilitation allowance for two academic sessions (2020/2021 and 2022/2023)
ii. Consultancy Teaching Allowance for first semester 2022/2023 session
iii. Two months (June and July, 2022) withheld responsibility allowances
With all these challenges, Academics have patiently continued to carry out their responsibilities.
“3. Office of the University Registrar
The illegal occupation of the Registrar’s office in violation of University and national laws is unacceptable. Dr. Kalli Gazali, who continues to sign University documents and attend statutory meetings in the name of the Registrar, has retired since September, 2023 after completing the number of years of service as indicated by his date of birth- September 1958, according to the document he presented to the university. This is shameful and alien, especially in a university as centre of excellence and institution for development of character and learning.
“4. Office of the Registrar, ASUU is urging the University council to immediately advertise for interview and appoint the University Registrar
“5. Offices of the Bursar: The University Council should appoint the Bursar from the already conducted interview to avoid getting the University into situation of uncertainty
“6. On promotion arrears, our union demands that payment for promotion arrears of members commence immediately to settle the backlog from 2018 to 2023
“7. ASUU urges the government and the University management to first consider appointing and/or replacing part-time and casual staff who have been working with the University for 10-15 years, especially the ones that their services are needed in the Departments, Centres and Faculties.
“8. As a matter of urgency, the University council should have to work hard with government to secure adequate students accommodations.
“ASUU condemns in strong terms the deliberate attempt to subvert the University autonomy, disregard to established laws and international best practices which govern the administration of universities.
“ASUU wishes to unequivocally state that, interferences, meddling and abuse of due process are unacceptable. ASUU will do everything necessary to protect the University for the Greater Good of Yobe State posterity.
“Great Comrades, I thank you all for your endurance and understanding in the face of imminent challenges that threaten our noble profession, the future of our younger ones and our great university.
“Gentlemen of Press, you are all product of the university system; we all must play our roles in protecting this institution to live for the good of humanity. So, we call on you that, we wish to be heard loud, clear and far, we trust your abilities to make our voice heard. Thank You.” Said the ASUU Boss.
