Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has temporarily relocated his office to the Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, as part of efforts to resolve the lingering dispute between the state government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that led to the suspension of academic activities.During an official visit to the institution, the governor directed the immediate suspension of the ongoing strike and ordered the resumption of lectures while negotiations with the lecturers continue.Kefas explained that his decision to move operations to the university campus was aimed at closely supervising efforts to resolve the impasse.“Because the matter before us is too important to be handled from a distance,” the governor said.He expressed deep concern over the impact of the strike on students, stressing that education remains a top priority for his administration.“Education is non-negotiable. The destiny of our children cannot be suspended indefinitely,” Kefas said.The governor described the prolonged industrial action as unfortunate, noting that it had cast the state government in a negative light despite its commitment to a free education policy.
According to him, the continued disruption of academic activities was unacceptable given the consequences for students and their families.Kefas said his decision to work from the university premises underscored the seriousness of the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis.He acknowledged that some of the issues raised by the lecturers were legitimate, explaining that many of the outstanding claims predated his administration.Despite the financial challenges facing the state due to prevailing national economic conditions, the governor said his administration had begun addressing the concerns of the union.“As part of measures to demonstrate government’s commitment, I have directed the immediate release of N200 million to offset part of the outstanding entitlements owed to the lecturers,” he said.He further disclosed that an additional N100 million would be paid monthly beginning next month until the inherited liabilities are fully settled.Kefas also lamented the hardship the strike had imposed on students, many of whom, he said, had remained at home with their academic programmes disrupted.He noted that some students were already facing pressure from landlords over rent, while parents continued to bear the emotional and financial burden of prolonged academic uncertainty.“At a time when our country is facing serious economic and social challenges, education must be part of the solution, not part of the problem,” the governor added.He therefore directed the Vice-Chancellor to ensure the immediate resumption of academic activities, assuring that dialogue between the government and the lecturers would continue until all issues are resolved.Kefas also pledged that the state government would work with stakeholders to introduce reforms aimed at strengthening and stabilising higher education in Taraba State.Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Amb. Idris Waziri, expressed optimism that the difficult period facing the institution was coming to an end.Amb. Waziri commended Governor Kefas for what he described as a decisive intervention to restore stability in the university.He noted that prior to the current administration, the institution had suffered years of neglect and accumulated obligations to staff unions.“The best legacy you can leave for our children is education,” Waziri said, pledging the council’s commitment to reposition the university to compete with leading institutions globally.
END:::::
