NGF Working with FG to Pay Varsity Lecturers Withheld Salary

Governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru has said that the 36 governors are working with the Federal Government to pay the salary arrears of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Badaru said the governors were considering using legal ways to resolve ASUU challenges so that academics could go on smoothly in the tertiary institutions.

He disclosed this during the inauguration of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja on Thursday.

The Jigawa State governor, while congratulating the President of NANS, Usman Barambu and executive, called on them to leverage on the successes of their predecessor to pilot the affairs of the association.

Badaru promised to support the association while improving their welfare for the betterment of Nigerian students.

He said: “We have already started and we will get to the bottom of it and we pray that this will be resolved and we pray that there won’t be any other strike because the students have suffered enough and I am sure the president is aware of this.”

“So, we are looking at legal ways to finalise the salary payment. I assure you that together with all the 36 governors, we will support you and make sure things improve for the betterment of the students.”

“Election is a difficult task and we must do it with the fear of God, I know Barambu will lead this organisation with the fear of God and I know with your Exco you will have a wonderful future.

“I will be with you in difficult times, I will guide you, I will support you and I will open other doors for you and do our best to see to the elevation of this association which will remain the solid foundation for the development of this association.”

The governor commended the past president of NANS, Comrade Sunday Asefon for his leadership role to unify the association while calling on the new president to build on his (Asefon’s) successes.

He also thanked the factional leader of the association, Umar Farouk for stepping down and agreeing to support Barambu as President of NANS as well as for believing in the unity of the association.

In his remarks, Barambu promised to ensure the strengthening of students toward having enough leadership skills.

Barambu also gave the assurance of an inclusive government saying that the interest of students would continue to be given priority throughout his administration.

He said: “What I have today is a responsibility, to lead and build on what my predecessors have done, and I have accepted it with a pledge to further pursue the course of Nigerian students in general with full commitment to greater heights.

“With level of support and solidarity I was obliged from students, senior comrades and stakeholders not only in my emergence as the leader of the new executive but in making our inauguration a huge success, I have no option but to declare my allegiance and absolute commitment without compromise to the yearnings, aspirations, interest and vision of our students.

“It is in this light that I accept the challenges of leadership and with our collective effort, and we will take our dear organisation back to its past and lost glories.”

Chairman of the Natives and Promotion of Peace among NANS, Olalekan Smart thanked stakeholders for their role in resolving the rift in the association while also ensuring that NANS did not go astray.

He said all dispute resolution mechanism was triggered and to the glory of God, all aggrieved parties were brought to the table and a new cause was championed.

Smart said the association was committed to running an all-inclusive government of NANS where the total welfare and well-being of every Nigeria students both at home and in the diaspora would be of paramount interest.