The Academic Staff Union of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau in Zamfara State has embarked on an indefinite strike, calling on the immediate removal of the Provost of the College, Hauwa’u Abdulkarim.

The union, in a statement issued by its chairman, Dr Abdullahi Muhammad, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, said the provost was not qualified for the position and must resign before they could resume academic activities.

Muhammad added that the members of the union would not be able to work under a provost who has been declared unqualified by the Federal Ministry of Education.

He stated that the decision to embark on strike and call for the removal of the provost was taken at the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) FCET Gusau chapter’s meeting held on Tuesday, March 12.

Muhammad said: “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 Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim as the substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau are implemented.

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“That she should resign and hand over to the most senior academic staff in the college.

“Dr Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim took appointment as the substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau on the 14th of 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 who 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.”

Idris Salisu

The Star