The Academic Staff Union of Universities [ASUU], Calabar zone, has expressed disappointment at the way some governors establish state universities without backing same with necessary laws.

The union warned that such may affect the autonomy of the institutions.

The zonal chairman, Dr Aniekan Brown, while addressing journalists in Uyo, said for most state universities to be competitive, governors should stop playing politics with their establishment, and should do such in line with laid down laws as recorded in the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Amendment Act of 2012.

“It is worrisome that only seven state-owned universities have their laws in conformity with the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Amendment Act of 2012, while 26 are partially compliant. In most of the institutions, the “non-demonetisation” of the Act gives room for university administrators and governors to trample on the autonomy of the institutions by usurping powers of governing councils and Senate.

“Evidence of this could be gleaned from the manipulation of the composition or non-constitution of councils. For instance, the Yobe State University Law stipulates a five-year single tenure but was repealed and replaced with a four-year renewable tenure for the position of vice chancellor.

“In Ebonyi State University, there is no Chancellor and government is yet to constitute a new council since it was dissolved in November 2020. At the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, the vice chancellor, has acted for 15 months. Currently, the autonomy of Kaduna State University is under intense threat, as it is placed under supervision of both the state ministry of finance despite the existence of council.

The union subsequently called on all concerned to set in motion necessary steps for domestication of the Act to allow autonomy in state universities in line with national and global standards.

ASUU also expressed concern over funding of state universities, alleging that some governors now rely on TETFUND and sometimes divert such money to establish new institutions.

The union lamented that poor funding of state universities has resulted in poor state of capital projects in these institutions.

“In some instances, governors divert allocation meant for existing institutions from TETFUND to establish their politically motivated universities. The inadequacy or absence of funding for capital projects has overtly manifested in the dearth of well-equipped workshop, libraries, studios, classrooms, hostels, utilities and municipal services.”

The union, therefore, called on stakeholders to ensure that the impending crisis in state-owned universities are averted.

“ASUU is committed to working for industrial harmony in all universities including those owned by states. However, this commitment can only be sustained if the respective governors and councils take urgent steps to address the nagging issues highlighted so far.

ASUU urged governors to as a matter of urgency, make adequate budgetary provision for both capital and recurrent expenditure for infrastructure, staff development and payment of staff emoluments starting with 2022 budget.”

The Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (UNICAL),  Prof Florence Obi, has commended the school’s alumni for their contribution towards infrastructural development of the institution.
 
The V.C who spoke at the Lagos State chapter of the association’s workout day, lauded the national body for its contribution towards the renovation of the school hostel destroyed by rainstorm.

Obi, who participated in the 7.5 kilometres walk, called for closer ties between the association and management.

Prof. Obi expressed her readiness to work with the association towards rebuilding the school.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, has linked Nigeria’s falling education standard to the disturbing insecurity in the country.
Addressing the eighth matriculation of postgraduate students of the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILDS)/the University of Benin for the 2020/2021 academic session in Abuja, Lawan indicated that some of the consequences of the weakness in the nation’s education sector include rising criminal activities and anti-social behaviours, a high number of unemployable youths and an unproductive workforce.

Represented by Senator Degi Biobarakuma (APC: Bayelsa), the Senate President noted: “You are well aware of some of the challenges and deficits in this sector, including limited funding, lack of infrastructure and teaching aids, poorly trained personnel and low levels of commitment.

“These have adversely affected the productivity and output of our schools and centres of learning at all levels.”

Lawan highlighted efforts of the National Assembly at improving primary and secondary education to consist amendment of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act for an increase of its budgetary allocation from two to three per cent.

“However, a lot more remains to be done in order to ensure that all stakeholders at the state and federal levels do their part to strengthen the sector,” he added.

As the world marks the second International Day to Protect Education from Attack, Save the Children International, (SCI) Nigeria, on Thursday, expressed concern about the persistent attack on schools, students and teachers in Nigeria.

Quoting the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), it said between 2015-2019, there have been 100 reported attacks on schools in Nigeria.

In a statement by the Media and Communication Manager, Save the Children International Nigeria, Kunle Olawoyin, SCI said these attacks have been on the increase between 2020 and 2021, which led to the closing of many schools by the government due to fear of being attacked.

“From January to August 2021, over 1000 children were abducted in Nigeria, with so many of them still in the hands of their abductors.

The Country Director, SCI, Nigeria, Mercy Gichuhi said: “For us, the 9th September, the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, is an important moment to raise awareness on the situation of education in conflict and some of our focus on the Safe Schools Declaration.

“When education is under attack, a generation is attacked. Children, girls and women are more vulnerable at times of attack – putting them at a higher risk of trauma, fear, gender based violence, physical and sexual abuse. Many children in such times will have no choice but to discontinue their education and some will never return back to school – with their childhood dream fading away.”

She noted that In Nigeria, the number of out-of-school children, according to UNICEF, was at 10.5million before the effects of the conflict, humanitarian crisis and pandemic were felt.

She added that with the total or partial closure of schools in Zamfara, Katsina, Adamawa, Kaduna, Niger and other states due to kidnapping and abduction of school children, the number of children that would be prevented from accessing education in Nigeria could be on the increase.

“We know that education is in the grip of an unprecedented crisis across West and Central Africa (WCA). For the first time in human history, an entire generation has had their education disrupted. But, before the pandemic, the education system was already in crisis across WCA, with the lowest school enrolment rates in the world at the primary level. In fact, in normal times, 1out of 5 of children aged 6-11 years are out of school in WCA.

Violence and attacks against schools has continued in the Sahel, Nigeria and the DRC with huge consequences for children. That context exacerbates pre-existing structural problems within the education system, including the lack of qualified teachers, school facilities, overcrowded classrooms, lack of teaching materials and the inability to adapt teaching to meet the psychosocial needs of children.”

SCI urged governments to put in place mechanisms that ensure the protection of schools and other learning environments.

“As Nigeria hosts the globe at the fourth International Conference on Safe Schools Declaration, we look forward to seeing government and international partners coming up with concrete measures to build resilience at the community level, evolved security measures that will help curb the persistent attack on educational facilities including the children and their teachers. Save the Children equally calls on international partners and the Government of Nigeria to increase investment in education to address the multi-faceted factors affecting education in Nigeria.”