The Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Education (COEASU), Gidanwaya Chapter, has urged Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State to immediately implement the approved salary structures for academic staff in state-owned tertiary institutions.
The newly elected COEASU Chairman, Dr. Christopher Yerima, made the appeal during his inauguration at the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidanwaya, on Monday.
Dr. Yerima called for the full implementation of the Consolidated Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and the Consolidated Tertiary Education Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS). He described the neglect of these salary scales as emblematic of the broader disregard for tertiary education in Kaduna State.
“The poor conditions of service and persistent salary delays have led to a brain drain. Many of our colleagues are leaving for institutions with better working environments,” Yerima lamented.
He also called for the inclusion of the college in Kaduna’s education reform agenda and urged the government to improve infrastructure and provide adequate office space for staff.
Other members of the newly inaugurated COEASU executive include: David Madami – Vice Chairman; Victor Bowman Secretary; Grace Alkali – Treasurer; Sadiq Abubakar – Organising Secretary; Dr. Matthew Barde – Publicity Secretary; Mrs. Loveth Kwas – Investment Officer; Mr. Sankey Musa – Assistant Secretary; Ereje Joseph – Auditor; Dr. Marajos Alkali – Ex-officio I and Victor Dutse – Ex-officio II. The executive will serve a four-year term.
The National President of COEASU, Dr. Smart Olubekun, through the National Vice-President (North Central and Middle Belt), Mr. Noah Barde, also urged the Kaduna State Government to prioritise staff welfare.
Meanwhile, the college Provost, Dr. Ayuba Aku, represented by Deputy Provost Academics, Mallam Abdullahi Mohamed, pledged the support of the management for the new union leadership.
