By Amen Gajira

The Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Education (COEASU), Gidanwaya Chapter, has called on Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State to implement the pending salary structures approved for staff of tertiary institutions.

Dr Christopher Yerima, newly elected Chairman of the union in Kaduna State College of Education, Gidanwaya, made the call during his inaugural speech on Monday.

Yerima identified the salary structures as the Consolidated Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary education Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS), whose implementation were long overdue in the state.

He lamented the neglect of the state’s owned tertiary institutions, especially the college of education.

“This development and other demoralising working conditions among academic staff of the institution had led to the ongoing brain drain in the college.

“A lot of our colleagues are moving to other institutions due to poor welfare and unencouraging working conditions,” he said.

He also called on the state government to prioritise teacher education in the state and improve infrastructural facilities in the college, including staff offices.

The chairman equally called for the integration of the college into the state’s proposed education reform agenda, among other demands.

He thanked the lecturers for finding him worthy of piloting the affairs of the union and promised to operate an open-door policy, where all issues affecting academic staff would be addressed promptly.

Other officials who took the oath of office are David Madami, Vice Chairman, Victor Bowman Secretary, Grace Alkali, Treasurer, Sadiq Abubakar, Organising Secretary, and Dr Matthew Barde Publicity Secretary.

Also inaugurated were Mrs Loveth Kwas, Investment Officer, Mr Sankey Musa, Assistant Secretary, Ereje Joseph, Auditor, Dr Marajos Alkali, Ex-officio I and Victor Dutse as Ex-officio II.

The executive members will serve for a period of four years.

Inaugurating the executive members, the National President, Dr Smart Olubekun, also called on the state government to improve the welfare of workers in its tertiary institutions.

Olubekun, who was represented by the National Vice-President, North Central and Middle Belt, Noah Barde, urged the new executive members to discharge their duties with zeal, devoid of divisive tendencies based on sentiment.

He also advised the union leaders to act in accordance with the provisions of the union’s constitution,

In his remarks, the Provost of the College Dr Ayuba Aku, called for a good working relationship with the new executives.

Represented by the Deputy Provost, Academics, Mallam Abdullahi Mohamed, the provost promised the management’s full support and cooperation. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai