Polytechnics

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The atmosphere in the School of Technology at Kano State Polytechnic was engulfed with anticipation as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUP) election unfolded. 

Lecturers from all six branches of the polytechnic gathered to participate in the democratic process that would determine the leadership of the union for the next two years. 

The electoral committee had meticulously planned and organised the election, adhering to the constitutional provisions and code of conduct of the union. 

According to a letter dated December 15, 2023, from Malam Sulaiman Abdurrahman, the election was a mandatory biennial event, ensuring a regular turnover of leadership within the union. 

As the clock struck 8:00 p.m., the election kicked off with the candidates for the chairmanship position taking centre stage. 

Dr. Badamasi Inuwa from the Department of Life Science, SOT; Engineer Shehu Saikay from the Department of Electrical Engineering, SOT; and Bashir Umar Faruq from SGS all vied for the coveted role. 

The voting process proceeded smoothly as lecturers patiently waited in line to cast their votes, exercising their right to choose their representatives. 

Malam Sulaiman Abdurrahman, the secretary of the electoral committee, ensured that the election was conducted transparently and in accordance with the established guidelines. 

The election, scheduled to conclude by 3:00 am, saw lecturers patiently waiting to cast their votes, demonstrating a commitment to the democratic principles upon which the union was founded.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) will commence a two-week warning strike on Monday, May 16, 2022.

According to the ASUP president, Anderson Ezeibe, the decision was borne out of the emergency meeting of the union National Executive Council on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

However, this is coming amidst worries over the extension of strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

ASUP decried that the federal government has refused to meet their demand, making it necessary for the union to embark on a strike.

Recall that ASUP has suspended its industrial action declared on the 10th of June, 2021, following the Memorandum of Action (MoA) which the government had signed.

The union said in a statement, “Non-release of arrears of the new minimum wage: The owed 10 months arrears for the Polytechnics is yet to be released. The composite amount covering all Federal Tertiary Institutions to the approximate figure of N19Bn currently exists as an AIE in the Accountant Generals Office.”

“We are deploying this medium to equally appeal to members of the public to prevail on the government to do the needful within the two weeks period so as to avoid an indefinite shutdown of the sector,” the statement added.