By; ADAM MUHAMMAD, Gusau
The Academic Staff of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau in Zamfara State have embarked on an indefinite strike, calling for the immediate removal of the Provost of the College, Mrs Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim.
A statement signed by the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of the College, Dr. Abdullahi Muhammad on Wednesday, explained that the provost is not qualified for the position and must resign before they would return to work.
He added that members of the union would not be able to work under a provost that has been declared unqualified and unsuitable by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) FCET Gusau chapter held its congress meeting on March 12, 2024.
“The union members have resolved to suspend all academic and administrative activities until the Federal Ministry of Education’s directives over the vexed appointment of Dr (Mrs.) Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim as the substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau are implemented and she should resign and hand over to the most senior academic staff in the college”. The statement contended.
It explained that Dr. (Mrs.) Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim took appointment as the substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau on August 14, 2023.
“On her assumption as the substantive Provost of the college, the attention of the union (COEASU) was drawn to the petition labelled against her by a human rights group (Equity Alliance) demanding for cancellation of her appointment as substantive provost of the college on the ground of misrepresentation of forged document.
“We noticed that the implication of the allegation is that, it is a gross violation of section 2.8 of the revised condition of service (2015) of the Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria and the requirements in the advertisement placed on the position of the provost.
“Therefore, our members will not be able to work under a provost that has been declared unqualified and unsuitable by the Federal Ministry of Education.
“The decision was taken in good faith to protect the integrity of the college as a teacher training institution which is guided by the rule of law”. It said.
