By Fidelis Jockthan
The Joint Action Congress JAC of the Federal Polytechnic Yola, which comprised of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics and Non-academic Union has described as baseless, malicious and a fabricated lies, a purported petition written against the Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Mubi , Ambassador Babagana Anjimi in the name of ‘Concern Citizens’ alleging frivolity in the management of finances of the institution.
In a high-powered joint Press Conference at the Yola Campus of the Polytechnic led by the ASUP Chairman,Comr.Tpl.Kadala Solomon Bandi,the three unions called on the Visitor to the Polytechnic, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, TetFund, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Stakeholders as well as the general public to disregard the Petition in it’s entirety as it is mere fabrication of a faceless group but not Staff of the Polytechnic.
The alleged fake allegations of financial recklessness as stated by the JAC was said to be published on one of the online National Dailies dated 30th November 2024 where one Mohammed Aliyu,who claimed to be Human Rights Lawyer asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other related offence Commission to investigate the expenditure of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Mubi based on a Petition written by unknown individuals against the 11th Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Ambassador Babagana Anjimi.
The three unions,posited that the entire write up was concocted out of the figment of the imagination of the peddler and should therefore be disregarded totally.
“We can boldly state that the Council have never overstepped its bounds rather they have operated within the ambits of the law establishing it.Perusing through the write up, one can clearly see the lack of knowledge of the operations of the Governing Council in the Polytechnics by the authors of the purported petition.
The trio added that “The Polytechnic Acts as amended 2019 states that; ‘’The Governing Council of all Tertiary Institutions is the supreme authority of any institution, established in pursuant to the Acts establishing them. By virtue of the provisions of the enabling law for the establishment of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the Governing Council is the highest decision-making body in any institution. It is charged with the responsibility of general superintendence and management of the affairs of the institution, the control of its finances and all its properties’’Similarly, ‘’The Governing Council is also charged, with the appointment, promotion, welfare and discipline of its entire staff. It has the power to carry out all activities and, or assignments in strict compliance with the establishing Law, which in its opinion, will facilitate the administrative supervision/activities of the institution and promote its interests.
These responsibilities of Council call for integrity, honesty, loyalty, dedication and a high sense of commitment to duty’’ANALYSING THE PETITION AND IN TURN GIVING CLARITYThe Council could not have spent the quoted amount if at all it did without the approval of the Rector following the laid down Financial procedures, the petitioners, could have saved themselves the embarrassment of telling lies by going through the right channels and the correct information will be given to them. It is unfortunate that they considered the reform efforts of the Council which has brought stability and peace on the campus as fruitless activities, how could they know since they have been beclouded by primordial sentiments, unquenchable greed and sense of entitlements which has been threatened by the laudable actions of this vibrant and reasonable Council led by Dr. Ambassador Babagana Ajimi.Items no 2 to 6 which the petitioners, who are represented by one Mr. Jacob Jambula and Fatimatu Labaran (who are not known to the Polytechnic community, have never contributed in any manner to the growth of the Polytechnic) is the statutory responsibility and duties of the Council. All these activities were carried out by the active participation of all the Council members. A clear example of the lies of this petition can be seen in item 4 where they wrongly alleged that, the Council interfered in the Academic and administrative processes of the i it has exposed the ignorance of the authors of the petition to the workings of the Governing Councils of institutions. This Petition is nothing but a joke taken far”.
The ASUP Chairman,was flanked by the National Auditor of the Union, Comrade Hussaini James,the Chairman of Non-academic Staff Union, Comrade Auwulu Mohammed and Thomas Justine,SSANIP Chairman who doubles as JAC Secretary.
