By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul Kano
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano branch on Sunday accused the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf of neglect, and warned of looming crisis at the state owned citadel of learning.
A press statement signed by the ASUU branch Chairman, Dr. Suraj Suleiman said they found it trite to bring the situation to the attention of the general public.
Dr. Suraj Suleiman’s statement that was made available to newsmen in Kano explained that “we are engaging the entire public with a view to informing them of a looming crisis and the wanton devastating condition’s the University is put in as a results of Government neglect”.
ASUU noted that “Consequent to the branch’s series of submissions to the State Government on its members’ demands and strategic denial of its request for audience with the Visitor, the branch resolves to publicly cried out for the World to know our devastating condition’s”
It maintained that “The Union further, calls for urgent reconstitution of the University Governing Council, condition of Service, the branch demands immediate payment of the balances of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and the Consequential Adjustment arrears.
The union further requested for immediate domestication of newly approved Consolidated Universities Academic Salary Structure, award by the Federal Government effective from 1st January 2023 and payment of arrears and N35, 000 provisional wage award approved by the federal Government.
The Chairman said on the University Funding, the Government should expedite action towards completion of on-going projects by the state government, supplement Tetfund funding for academic staff training and consider immediate stoppage of automatic deduction of 25 percent from the University Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“It is note worthy that registration fees are ‘service fees’. The branch also observes that funding remains one of the major challenges being faced by the University since inception as budgetary appropriations for capital projects have never been fully released.”
ASUU therefore implored the Visitor to improve on the University funding to ginger smooth academic activities at the institution.
It further called on the Visitor to the University to, in the interest of industrial harmony; intensify efforts towards resolving the brewing issues.
Dr. Suraj Suleiman said they focused mainly on the three central issues in ASUU struggle including, improving the Condition of Service of its members, revitalizing and accelerating the development of the University through Sustainable Funding, enhancing and protecting the University Autonomy and Academic Freedom.