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Provost Replies COEASU, Says FCET Bichi boasts of 200 PhDs lecturers, others

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FCE Bichi

 

 

The Federal College of Education (FCE), Technical, Bichi in Kano State, on Thursday says it has over 200 PhDs lecturers and other cadre of academics in its service, to enhance teaching and learning environment at the institution.

The Provost, Prof. Bashir Muhammed-Fagge, stated this while reacting to alleged impropriety levelled against the school management by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU).

The union on April 13, embarked on a one-week warning strike to press home their demands and compel the school management address issues affecting welfare of its members.

Some of the contentious issues included poor learning environment, decay infrastructure, and  pervading insecurity.

Others are non remittance of N25 million outstanding staff multipurpose cooperative society deductions and non payment of 10 months peculiar allowances.

COEASU FCE Bichi Down Tools, To Protest Poor Working Conditions, Lack Of Issuance of TRCN Certiifcate to College Graduands
In swift reaction, Muhammad-Fagge dismissed the allegations, saying the school had increased the number of teaching and non teaching staff in the past few years.

Muhammad-Fagge said: “I want to vehemently disagree with them on that. When I joined as the Provost of the institution, there were only six lecturers with PhD, but today we have over 200.

“The same thing with the infrastructures. If you go round the school, no single building has not been renovated. And we have built a new permanent site with five new schools, which will be commissioned soon.

“We have e-library, laboratories, our lectures are prompt, we have increased the number of academic staff from 250 to about 750. And students who graduated were trained with skills acquisition to the level that when they graduate they can employ themselves and need not to go and seek a job.”

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According to him, the management of the institution has adopted proactive measures to address issues raised by the striking union, adding that they have already put all mechanisms in place to that effect.

Muhammed-Fagge said the management was already in negotiations with the union to resolve the issues amicably.

“There is bound to be disagreement or skirmishes between the employer and employee because the relationship between the duo is usually characterised by these, but it is always an issue of resolution through dialogue.

“Among other issues raised is cooperative society, that the Management is owing them N25 million. Between 2015 and 2016, there was the introduction of a Tertiary Single Treasury Account (TSA).

“And the personnel cost of all Federal colleges were slashed down and all were paying incomplete salaries. But in this college, we paid a complete salary up till the end of the period.”

Muhammad-Fagge said the school have not experienced salary shortfall, adding that the management of the school engaged the union to deliberate on the issues bordering salary deduction and deductions.

According to him, the Federal Government paid 50 per cent of salary shortfall accrued sequel to the introduction of Treasury Single Account  (TSA).

The management, he said, would settle the outstanding 50 per cent balance of as soon as funds were available.

On the issue of security and cleaners, the Provost,  said the school was utilising the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), to pay wages of the affected casual workers.

He lamented tnat the institution had recorded significant drop in revenues due to the COVID-19 lockdown and closure of the school.

The provost noted that paucity funds had adversely affected payment of registeation for Teachers’ Registration Council (TRCN).

“The students are supposed to pay for the TRCN, what the students pay for the registration is not enough.

“Therefore, the college decided to use overhead to settle the TRCN, unfortunately with no revenues to pay the security and cleaners and other issues such as fuel, how can we pay for the TRCN,” he said.

According  to him, the managenent of the college has evolved effectuve mechanisms to fully fund the TRCN and allow the students to obtain the TRCN certificates.

The management, he  said,  was working to ensure payment of peculiar academic allowance owed the lecturers, noting negotiations were on between the Federal Government and the union to facilitate payment.

“We set up a task force committee because we realised that over 1,300 students have not paid their school fees.

“Aboout N70 million is expected to be generated from payment of school fees, and the union requested for N38 million.

“So, if we get the students to pay their school fees, we could be able to address all the demands by the union.”

Muhammad-Fagge said that college accorded premium to address nagging issues raised by the union to enhance its operations and achieve academic excellence.

“The issue of no work, no pay will be the last option, if all others had been exhausted. We are negotiating and since they didn’t embark on a full blown strike.”

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Breaking: Tinubu Orders Release of Minors Arrested Over Endbadgovernance Protest

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President Bola Ahmad Tinubu

President Tinubu Orders release of all minors who participated in the Endbadgovernance protest .

 

The minister of information and national orientation Muhammad Idris stated this to state House correspondents.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents, on Monday.

The Minister was flanked by the Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy; Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Public Communications and orientation.

Idris stated that the President has instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to begin the process of securing the minors’ release without delay.

“The President has directed that all minors be released on the and also reunited with their families anywhere they are in the country. A committee has been set up to look at the issues surrounding their arrest, detention and release. All the law enforcement agents related to the case will be investigated and anyone found wanting will be brought to book,” he said.

 

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76 Detained Children: Northwest Youth-Students Forum hails Senator Barau, AGF’s prompt intervention

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The Northwest Youth and Students Forum (NWYSF) has expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin and the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for their prompt intervention in the detention of minors by the Nigeria Police Force, following the End Bad Governance Protest.

The forum in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Abubakar Isyaku Balan said the swift action by the leaders will brings hope to the affected families and demonstrates a commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable citizens nationwide.

He said “The giant move of the Deputy President of the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federal is no doubt a commendable one. We are proud of this and look forward to the release of the children courtesy of this movement.”

According to the statement, the NWYSF, as a forum comprising of talented youth and students, deemed it necessary to protectively initiate awareness programs that will enlighten the teeming youth on human rights and activism.

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“We acknowledge that the minors actions were driven by ignorance and a lack of proper orientation, underscoring the need for civic education and sensitization in the Northwest region. Addressing the underlying issues that led to this situation is crucial, rather than simply punishing the minors. This approach will foster a more informed and empowered youth.

“Considering the economic situation in the North, we urge the Federal Government to show compassion and release the detained minors, taking into account their age and circumstances. We also call on the government to provide support for their rehabilitation and education.

“In partnership with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders, NWYSF will develop sensitization initiatives focusing on empowering youths with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, promoting understanding and respect for human rights and teaching alternative dispute resolution methods.

“In view of the above, by working together, we can prevent similar incidents and foster a more informed, peaceful, and inclusive society,” the statement added.

 

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ICPC Arraigns Provost, Lecturer for Certificate Forgery in Sokoto

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Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu ,ICPC Chairman

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Hauwau Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET), Gusau, alongside Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE), on alleged certificate forgery.

The duo were arraigned on a six-count charge, registered as charge No. SS/213c/2024, before Hon. Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo at the Sokoto State High Court. ICPC accused the two defendants of forging an appointment letter and using it to apply for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State.

The defendants were also accused of making false statements to ICPC officers during the investigation, which is an offence under Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. “Both defendants, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all six charges when read to them by the Court’s Registrar,” the ICPC revealed in a statement.

Counsel for the defendants, Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu and Mr. M.S. Diri SAN, moved for bail applications on behalf of their clients. They requested the court to consider reasonable bail terms, citing the defendants’ “established positions and cooperation during the investigation.”

Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Suleiman Ahmad, did not oppose the bail applications. Following the consideration of the applications, Hon. Justice Sambo granted bail under specific conditions designed to ensure the defendants’ continued presence throughout the trial proceedings.

The bail conditions require each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000). After granting bail, the ICPC prosecutor requested a date for the trial to commence, emphasizing the Commission’s preparedness to present witnesses and evidence in support of the charges.

Hon. Justice Sambo adjourned the matter to November 21, 2024, when the hearing is set to begin. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and introduce material evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The ICPC press release was signed by Demola Bakare, Acting Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, and Spokesperson for the Commission.

 

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