By Abdullahi Adamu Gusau
The Academic Staff Union 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.
In a statement on Wednesday and signed by the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of the College, Dr. Abdullahi Muhammad said the Provost is not qualified for the position and must resign before they could return to work.
He added that members of the union would not be able to work under a provost that has allegedly been declared unqualified and unsuitable by the Federal Ministry of Education.
The statement which read in part said:
“The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) FCET Gusau chapter held its congress meeting on 12th March 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.
“That is she should resign and hand over to the most senior academic staff in the college.
“Dr. (Mrs.) Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim took appointment as the substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau on the 14th August 2023.
“On her assumption as the substantive Provost of the college, the attention of the union (COEASU) was drawn on 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.
“The union was aware just before the provost assumed duty that she was not qualified ab initio the local chapter of the union was directed by the national body to wait for the verdict of the Federal Ministry of Education on the matter.
“Furthermore, 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”.
