-Ibrahim Yasir
The Chairman of the Academic staff Union of Universities, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto chapter, Abubakar Sabo has hinted that by the time universities reopen, most contract lecturer, visiting and those on sabbatical might leave the university because the current arrangement of the FGN does not favor their stay in Federal universities.
Abubakar said that most students would not be able to cope up financially because the tuition fees would have to be increased by the universities in order for them to be able to cope up with those responsibilities (casual staff, supervision allowance, external assessment, part time allowance, contract appointment, external examination etc) which the FG has taken off its hands from funding those critical elements.
He made this known on his Facebook handle in the late hours of Monday night.
“Arising from the present experience which is associated with the trauma of stoppage of salary, cutting of salary, removal from payroll, intimidation from the AGF’s office, withholding of allowances and arrears payable.”
Abubakar said that most of the young and energetic lecturers might leave the teaching system and look for other greener pastures where the services would be safer and secured.
“Most universities, faculties and departments especially the newly established ones would have to close because those who visit to establish them have been discouraged by the antics of the government and its agents.
“I pity the president because it is under his watch, all these will happen while he is misguided by the capitalist agents who want to kill the public universities in order to give more life to their private universities.
“I pity the vulnerable and unenlightened public who were also misguided into believing that ASUU is fighting for their interest alone, not knowing that we stand for the survival of education so that our children and yet the children of other masses would have equal chance, benefits and access”, Abubakar said.
He said ASUU was aware that the President was misguided and misinformed by those he trusted.
Sabo urged President Buhari to listen to the cries of poor Nigerians and rescind some of his harsh policies.