Governor Zulum Pledges Reforms, Salary Review For Borno Tertiary Institutions

Governor Zulum Pledges Reforms, Salary Review For Borno Tertiary Institutions

MAIDUGURI -  Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration's determination to transform tertiary institutions in the state through improved funding, infrastructure upgrade and enhanced staff welfare.
Zulum gave the assurance on Wednesday when he met with members of the Forum of Heads of Tertiary Institutions at the Council Chambers, Government House, Maiduguri.

The governor said education remains the most reliable tool for rebuilding the state and securing a better future for the younger generation, adding that his government would sustain investment in the sector. "Education is the bedrock for any meaningful development, and therefore investment in education will never be in vain," Zulum said.

He explained that the meeting was specifically convened to resolve outstanding staff welfare matters in the state-owned tertiary institutions. "I invited the heads of tertiary institutions to discuss one fundamental issue: the payment of salary arrears and the implementation of promotions and benefits for staff of tertiary institutions in the state. I want to pay, but I want you to review it very well and get back to me within the next one to two weeks," he said.

Zulum pledged to review the salaries of staff of Ramat Polytechnic and Colleges of Education, provide funds for accreditation of academic programmes and recruit additional academic staff based on demand from the institutions.
According to him, government will also construct new structures, expand existing ones and rehabilitate decaying infrastructure in some of the institutions.

The governor said two institutions  Abba Ashigar College of Business and Management Studies, Konduga, and the College of Legal and Islamic Studies   would receive special attention to restore them to their rightful status.
He directed the Provost of the College of Business and Management Studies, Konduga, which was established to produce middle level manpower for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to reintroduce courses such as Office Technology and Auditing to build the capacity of local government staff.

Zulum also promised to rehabilitate staff quarters at Ramat Polytechnic and remodel the students' hostel at the College of Nursing, Maiduguri, to accommodate more students.
In his response, the Vice Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Prof. Babagana Gutti, who spoke on behalf of the forum, commended the governor for the massive investment in education.

"We want to commend you for the unprecedented progress recorded in the education sector, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, as well as the establishment of new federal and state tertiary institutions," Gutti said.
He however appealed for increased support to enable the institutions function optimally. "We are appealing for additional funding to run the institutions, a review of staff salaries, recruitment of more academic and non-academic staff, construction of staff quarters at institutions that lack them, rehabilitation of existing staff quarters, and the provision of buses to ease students' transportation costs," he said.

The meeting had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, the Acting Head of Service, the Acting Chief of Staff, commissioners, special advisers, heads of agencies, permanent secretaries and other senior government officials.