Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved the permanent recruitment of 20 children of staff of Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri, with priority to those whose parents died working at the school.

Zulum, a university professor was a student of the polytechnic from 1986 to 1988 for National Diploma in Irrigation Engineering before he became rector of the same school from 2011 to 2015, is now a visitor (overseer) to the state-owned polytechnic.

The governor, who visited the institution on Wednesday, directed a committee he had constituted from amongst staff to fairly select 20 children of staff particularly those of deceased parents, after determining their qualifications for automatic employment as lecturers, instructors, and other categories.

He also indicated readiness to approve other ways to support families of the staff.

Governor Zulum, who listened to various challenges raised differently by the representatives of the Academic Staff of Polytechnic, Non-Academic Staff of Polytechnic (NASUP), and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), directed the state Commissioner of Finance to within 24 hours, remit about N12 million to ASUP which was deducted from salaries for the purpose of union dues.

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He also directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to immediately convey approval for inclusion of two staff said to have been excluded from a new policy of a 65-years retirement age, which was extended from 60 years.

The governor further directed the Borno State Commissioner for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Babagana Mustapha, to compile all other issues raised by the management and union representatives of the polytechnic for presentation to him.

Zulum promised to within two weeks address those issues that could be dealt with saying he would work with union leaders to find ways of addressing others through the considerations of prevailing realities.

Governor Zulum, in response to challenges of housing faced by the staff, announced plans to approve the construction of 100 houses for staff of the polytechnic.

He however noted that such project can only be started after the 2023 general election.

The governor equally promised the inclusion of Ramat Polytechnic staff during considerations for allocation of the government estates which are either being constructed and nearing completion or those that have been evacuated by the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Zulum expressed hope to approve the payment of promotional benefits by January 2023, adding that problems of shortage of finances in the midst of security and humanitarian interventions were among his drawbacks.

The Star