The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Gombe State University branch, to shelve plans to proceed on strike.
Yahaya who was represented by the Secretary to Government of the State Professor Ibrahim Njodi, made this plea on Thursday when a delegation of the ASUU National Executive Council visitation panel to GSU visited Gombe State Government House.
Our correspondent reports that the government promised to meet Earned Academic Allowance demands and others with N947,669,909.13 million by Monday.
According to the governor, once the council meets by Monday, the issue of strike would be part of the issues to be tackled and given expedited attention, adding that after the specified time, if nothing happens the union could proceed with its plans.
Yahaya said, “By Monday upon State Executive Council’s meeting N947,669,909.13 million will be approved to take care of Earned Academic Allowance; excess workload, responsibility allowances, postgraduates study grant as well as outstanding promotion arrears for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
“What I’m saying is that ASUU should be patient. The question of going on strike now like the Convener pointed out is not going to solve any problem, ” he said.
Speaking earlier, Professor Daniel Gongula, who led the NEC visitation lauded the governor for prioritising education, while harping on the timeline of government promises.
Gongula said, “We will submit our report to ASUU principal officers. We need to be convinced.”
He noted that other states had proceeded with the implementation of minimum wage without recourse to the National Minimum Wage table, adding that lecturers, including other workers, use the same market.
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