From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani has directed for the immediate implementation of interventions to put an end to the impasse between the Academic Staff Union of the Polytechnics (ASUP), Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Chapter, and the Kaduna State Government.
The decision to immediately halt the earlier decision made by ASUP to close down Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic and commence a strike action comes after a series of intense deliberations with relevant stakeholders comprising the Kaduna State Government, representatives from Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, and ASUP.
Executives of the union were invited for a meeting by the Kaduna State Government, following the release of a communique by ASUP on September 15, 2023 warning of an impending strike action and subsequent closure of the institution of learning.
During the meeting several issues faced by the institution were discussed revolved around the provision of security to the main campus, payment of accrued allowances to security personnel, improved salary structure, and lack of adequate funding for academic activities amongst others.
Representatives from the Kaduna State Government gave assurances of Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to fulfilling the first pillar of the SUSTAIN agenda which is security and safeguarding the lives and properties of all residents.
Additionally, assurances were given by representatives of the state government in resolving all other outstanding issues in the following weeks, adding that funds needed for the smooth running of academic activities such as the presentation of results and practices for science-based courses will be released.
Responding to these proactive interventions by the Kaduna State Government, the Academic Staff Union of the Polytechnics in a communique issued on 18th September 2023 and signed by Comrade Abubakar Sadiq Yusuf, General Secretary ASUP, stated that “the soldiers guarding the school have been paid their allowances till December 2023, all thanks to the proactiveness of the Rector and the Honorable Commissioner on Education. Concerning the commitment shown by the Kaduna State Government, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Education, the Union hereby suspends its intended call for school closure, members are hereby directed to report to their workstations tomorrow.”
The General Secretary ASUP further expressed his gratitude to Governor Uba Sani for the prompt steps taken in preventing the closure of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic.
