News
Bauchi varsity denies resignation of 30 PhD holders over poor welfare

The management of the Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State has denied the exit of 30 PhD holders from the university.
According to a press release issued to journalists on Sunday, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Auwal Hassan, denied that no less than 30 PhD holders resigned from the university.
He said the report was not only misleading but inaccurate and unfounded while insisting that SAZU has not received any resignation letter from any PhD staff who cited poor salary as reasons for the exit.
Hassan clarified, “The university has not received any resignation letter from the purported 30 PhD holders or any significant number of academic staff.
“Our record shows that only six PhD have exited or are away from the university in the past one year and 10 months of the tenure of this administration, and they cited various personal reasons not related to salary concerns.”
He reeled out statistics, which confirmed that a number of the academic staff were away on sabbatical leave, leave of absence, or secondment, and those who, for one disciplinary reason, were dismissed from the university.
The PRO also cited that there are staff that resigned for personal reasons but not related to poor pay.
Hassan further revealed that the university’s record also shows that the absence of some staff was also due to their dismissal.
Hassan explains, “Six persons are absent based on abscondment or disciplinary grounds; two are on sabbatical leave; two are on secondment leave; and One of them is on leave of absence.”
He noted that SAZU has a total number of 397 academic staff with “18 Professors, nine Readers, 57 Senior Lecturers, 113 Lecturer I, 47 Lecturer II, 76 Assistant Lecturers, 77 Graduate Assistants, 3.”
According to him, “The university through the support of the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has consistently prioritised the welfare and development of its staff, including academic staff, and has implemented various initiatives to enhance their working conditions.
“This involves the timely salary payment and other financial benefits.”
Hassan insisted that under the leadership of the current administration, since December 2022, the university has timely promoted numerous academic staff with full payment of promotion arrears where applicable.
Arewa PUNCH recalls that the Academic Staff Union of Universities had earlier disclosed that not less than 30 PhD holders of its members had resigned from the Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, disclosed this during a press conference at the Yuli Campus of the university on Friday.
Timothy noted that SAZU, a state government-owned varsity, is on the verge of collapse due to poor handling of affairs of the university and the well-being of its members.
While calling on the Bauchi government to declare a state of emergency on the university and reverse trends of poor handling of affairs as occasioned over the years, the ASUU Coordinator explained that “Until and unless this is done, the ASUU branch zone can no longer guarantee industrial harmony between members of the ASUU SAZU branch and the university administration.
“The zone has engaged key stakeholders and exchanged several correspondences in an attempt to resolve these issues to no avail.”
He alleged that ASUU members at SAZU do not have a pension nor death benefit scheme as obtained in other structured public service regulations across the country.
According to him, the SAZU administration also allegedly owes its members Earned Academic Allowance and Excess Work Load Allowance to the tune of over N650 million from 2012 to date.
Timothy also decried how an HND graduate was appointed Bursar of the university contrary to the provision of service of the university which spelled that only candidates with a minimum of first degree would be considered for appointment as Bursar.
“This has not only dampened the morale of our members in the university but forced many, including 30 trained PhD holders to resign and migrate to other institutions where their future is secured,” he added.
As a result, the coordinator urged the Bauchi government and the university administration to put in place a comprehensive exit policy covering pension and death benefits for staff.
Credit: PUNCH
News
Abuja raid attack: Three NDLEA officers sustain gunshot injuries, hospitalized

Three officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have been hospitalized for gunshot injuries sustained after they came under attack from some armed men during a raid operation in Jahi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday night.
The incident occurred when a team of NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence and surveillance report raided an uncompleted building at NNPC area of Jahi where 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48grams of tramadol 225mg and 4.9kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis, as well as five android phones were recovered.
As the NDLEA team made their way out of the location, they came under gun attack.
Three of the NDLEA personnel involved in the raid sustained gunshot injuries: one in the rib and two others on their back and leg.
The wounded officers were initially stabilized at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 before they were transferred to the National Hospital Abuja for further medical attention.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the staff of the Police Clinic for their prompt support. He also thanked the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital who was personally reached by him for overseeing the treatment of the wounded officers.
The NDLEA boss who is in Kano on official engagements also spoke on phone with the injured officers to wish them quick recovery. He assured them that the Agency will deploy every means at its disposal and work in collaboration with other security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attack on them.
News
Tinubu preaches hope at Easter gives directive to military to end insecurity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday asked Christians in the country to use the Holy Week and Easter to reflect on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.
The President made the call in a message he signed on Good Friday, two days to the Easter celebrations.
According to Tinubu, he was saddened by the recent insecurity in the country. He also directed security operatives to decisively end the insecurity without delay.
“The recent tragic incidents and the loss of lives in some parts of our country deeply saddened me. I understand the pain and fear these incidents have caused. Let me assure you that my administration’s resolve to restore peace and security remains unshakable. Forces of evil will never prevail over our country,” Tinubu said.
I have given clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay. With the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform, we are turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability.
“As President of our blessed nation, I draw inspiration from this timeless message of hope and renewal. I remain steadfast in my commitment to delivering the promise of a Renewed Hope, a better, more just, and prosperous Nigeria for all.
“The Holy Week, which spans Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday and Good Friday and culminates in Easter Sunday, calls us to reflect deeply on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.”
“I have given clear directives to the Armed Forces and all relevant security agencies to end insecurity decisively and without delay. With the unwavering courage and commitment of our gallant men and women in uniform, we are turning the tide and making steady progress in reclaiming peace and stability.
“As President of our blessed nation, I draw inspiration from this timeless message of hope and renewal. I remain steadfast in my commitment to delivering the promise of a Renewed Hope, a better, more just, and prosperous Nigeria for all.
“The Holy Week, which spans Palm Sunday through Holy Thursday and Good Friday and culminates in Easter Sunday, calls us to reflect deeply on the enduring values of sacrifice, redemption, love, and hope.”
The President also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their “patience and resilience as our economy begins to show encouraging signs of recovery.”
“We understand the economic challenges many of you are facing, and we are working tirelessly to restore investor confidence, stabilise key sectors, and build an inclusive economy that serves the interests of all Nigerians.
“During this Easter, we join the global Christian community in thanking God for Pope Francis’s recovery. We pray that his renewed strength continues to inspire his leadership and service to humanity.
“I earnestly pray that Easter’s spirit fills every heart and home with renewed faith in the immense possibilities ahead of us as a nation. Just as Christ triumphed over death, so too shall our country triumph over every challenge we face. The present moment may be cloudy, but it will usher in a glorious day,” he added.
News
Easter: HoR Minority Caucus celebrates with Christians, urges love, peace, national cohesion, calls for end to killings nationwide

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives congratulates the entire Christian community in Nigeria, as they join others around the world on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebrations; marking the end of the Lenten period.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by leaders of the caucus, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Leader, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C
(Minority Whip) Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki , (Deputy Minority Leader)
Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi
(Deputy Minority Whip) stating that:
” Indeed, Easter is a very unique, and sacred time for every Christian faithful, as it is of significance following the successful completion of the 40-day fasting; which is one of the cardinal tenets of Christianity.
“As our Christian brethren across the country join others around the world to mark this auspicious day; and confident that God Almighty has accepted all prayers and supplications during this time, the Caucus admonish all to sustain the teachings, practice, and lessons of the Lenten period which embodies spiritual, personal, and leadership growth. More importantly, it is necessary to deepen the pivotal messages of the Easter celebrations which are anchored on renewal of faith, resilience and re-invigoration of good deeds, forgiveness of wrong doings, expression of love, joy, and peace to one another, and fostering of compassion, and empathy to all mankind.
“Given our commitment to the preservation and protection of the lives of all Nigerians, and the need to ensure good governance, the Caucus calls on the Federal Government to tackle, headlong the disturbing trend of wanton killings in the country.
“The resumed cases of violence, maiming, kidnapping, and bloodletting in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country, portends serious dangers to meaningful growth and development.
“It is appropriate to call on all security agencies to ensure that the negative actions and vicious activities of this group of marauders are comprehensively curtailed, if not entirely wiped out.
“The Caucus urges Christians (and all other Nigerians) to continually pray for our Leaders; at all levels for the right wisdom, knowledge, and understanding towards navigating the country through multi-sectoral, and multi-layered challenges that are not only limiting the realization of Nigeria’s potentials but throwing our people into immeasurable hardship, debilitating hunger, and corrosive poverty.
“Finally, Easter is not just a period for feasting, but also for reflections, new beginnings, and connection with other people, the Caucus admonishes all Nigerians to constantly emphasize virtues that promote unity, and development above negative tendencies that cause divisiveness.
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