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KUST, ASUU trade words over misappropriation, poor funding allegations
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The management of the Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil (KUST) has reacted angrily to accusations of financial misconduct, poor funding and students’ welfare labelled on it by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
KANO FOCUS reports that members of ASUU at the KUST had threatened to embark on an all-out strike by March 2020 unless the varsity’s authorities address various issues including alleged poor funding, financial misappropriation and attempt to raise students’ registration fees.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the ASUU-KUST branch Chairman, Comrade Muhammad Sani Gaya and Secretary Comrade Murtala Muhammad said the poor funding of the university is adversely affecting the running of the university resulting to inadequate offices and laboratories.
The ASUU-KUST also accused the university’s leadership of misapplying over N200 million to purchase exotic cars while failing to renovate a female hostel block that was destroyed by fire in February 2019.
The lecturers also alleged plans by the KUST authorities to increase registration fees for undergraduate students “despite lack of accountability in the funds generated in previous students’ registration as externally audited financial reports were not presented before the university council within the last few years in violation of the university law and services rendered”.
The ASUU further alleged that “persistent under-funding of the university by the Kano state government”.
“The union noted that for a long time the state virtually left the provision of needed infrastructure of the university to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TeTFund),” the statement said.
However, in its reaction, the KUST management dismissed the allegations, insisting that the university is being funded by the Kano state government, while also justifying the purchase of vehicles for the institution’s principal officers.
This was contained in a statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the University Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya.
“The University management will like to categorically state that Kano state government as proprietor of the university has been making releases of funds of N774 Million for accreditation, the prompt payment of salaries and wages of staff of N2.6 Billion annually as well, undertook other developmental projects,” the statement read.
On the issue of the burnt Dangote female hostel block, the university said it had provided an alternative hostel accommodation to cater for the teeming students in the affected building.
“The University Management has also purchased laboratory equipment worth millions of naira for use during practical’s and makes periodic releases of funds to departments, directorates and other units of the university.
“On the issue of procurement of vehicles for the Principal Officers, they were purchased in accordance with the laid down rules and guidelines as approved by the University Governing Council.
“Meanwhile, the University Management has made payments of most of the claims of the members of staff on the availability of funds (for instance N198 Million as Postgraduate Research Grant to Academic staff, N200 Million as Hazard Allowance for Non-teaching staff), hence it is noteworthy that the research grant for academic staff was fully paid on Monday 27th, January 2020.
“On the alleged attempt by the University to increase registration fees, we would like to categorically state that fees are not static, but subject to review, as such, it is in that direction that the Senate of the University approved for the review of fees charged (between N21,500 and N23,200) by the University which is the lowest compared to all other universities in the country,” the statement added.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A Kano based Non-Governmental Organisation, Bridge Connect Africa Initiative has launched Women Against Violence Empowerment through Sustainability (WAVES) project – a five month capacity building initiative focused on supporting survivors of gender-based violence, those at risk, and women involved in small-scale agribusinesses in Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Chief Operating Officer of the group, Fatima Musa Aliyu unveiled the project on Tuesday.
She said, “We are dedicated to protecting women and girls from all forms of violence. Over the past five years, BCAI has been a leading advocate for women and girls in Kano State, addressing gender-based violence and other harmful practices that disproportionately affect them.
“Supported by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CPRLI), the WAVES project aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of empowered women in Kano, promoting economic security and combating gender-based violence (GBV) through training in GBV prevention, financial literacy, business development, and sustainable agricultural practices.
“According to UNICEF, women and girls face significant gender Inequalities, with 1 in 3 women reporting experiences of GBV. Between November 2022 and February 2023, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) recorded 171 cases of GBV.
“According to another report by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Kano State Chapter, Kano State WARAKA Sexual Assault Refferral Center documented over 4,000 cases of sexual violence in the last five years.”
She added that evidence shows that societal norms, economic challenges, and even climate change are some of the factors among others that keep many women trapped in cycles of poverty and dependence, increasing their risk of gender-based violence. While some seek survival through small-scale agribusiness, their efforts are often hindered by limited skills and market access, leading to continued vulnerability and exploitation.
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