By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
The National Assembly, yesterday, promised to look into the allegations of corruption in Nigerian universities in order to sanitize the system.
This came as the non- teaching staff in the universities under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee, JAC, accused university administrations of indulging in corrupt practices while the government appears not to be disturbed with the ugly situation despite the Federal Government anti-corruption stance.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has accused the Federal Government of always breaching agreements it freely entered into with workers.
JAC comprising the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, Non Academic Staff Union of Universities and Educational Institutions, NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, staged a protest at the Ministry of Education and the National Assembly over the alleged decay in the universities.
Security operatives had a hectic day at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, when they tried to stop the protesting university non teaching staff from gaining access into the Ministry of Education where they had gone to register their protest with the Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu. The protesting workers had to force open the gate that was locked with heavy presence of policemen for the workers led by the National President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba and the Chairman of JAC, Samson Ugwoke to gain access to the ministry.
Infuriated by the development, the workers chanted anti Adamu songs and even called for his resignation. At the National Assembly, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki represented by Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim from Yobe East assured the protesting workers that the National Assembly will look into their grievances especially the allegation of corruption in the universities.
Senator Ibrahim flanked by Senators Shehu Sani and Ahmed Sani Yerima as well as Rep Jarigbe Agon Jarigbe said, “impunity brings anarchy, so I want to assure you that we are going to fight corruption in the universities squarely.
“I also want to assure that every worker will get his or her allowances. All the demands that you have made will be tabled before the House.”
Vanguard
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