Taraba
Kwararafa University Awards Honorary Degrees to Attah Igala, Former NNPC Boss, Kente
Eleojo Samuel Jalingo
Kwararafa University Wukari, Taraba State, has conferred honorary doctorate degrees on a former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, the Attah-Igala, Mathew Alaji Oguche and a former director of finance of the National Assembly, David Kente.
The conferment of the degrees was held on Saturday at the premises of the university during the 2nd combined 2017-2024 convocation ceremony of the university.
Mr Yakubu, a former GMD of NNPC now NNPCL, was conferred with a Doctor of Science degree, the Attah Igala was awarded a Doctor of Letters degree, while Mr Kente was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service.
While congratulating the recipients, the University’s Vice Chancellor, prof. Shishi Zhema, said “while we celebrate and recognise your achievements in various aspects of human endeavours, we are quick to remind you of the responsibility these honours come with.”
In his remarks, Mr Yakubu, who is also the Pro Chancellor of the institution, said he is proud to be a descendant of the great Kwararafa Kingdom.
He urged the graduates to be proud of being products of the first Africa community University with rich cultural history.
Yakubu then announced a donation of N10 million for the establishment of a department in the University for the study of Kwararafa history.
Also speaking, Mr Kente, who has contributed a lot to the development of the University, appealed to other descendants of the dynasty across the country to join hands in uplifting the school.
While apologizing for the delay in holding convocation, Zhema said “today’s event is a historic moment, as it marks only the second convocation in the university’s life since our last in March 2017.
“We recognise the delays some of our graduates faced in receiving their original certificates and I deeply apologise for these setbacks.
“This convocation covers eight graduating sets and we are committed to holding future convocations annually, to ensure that our graduates receive the recognition they deserve promptly.
“The university is committed to improving its processes and upholding its promise of providing quality education and a streamlined experience for our students,” he said.
Mr Zhema said that since he took over the mantle of leadership, he has been working with his management towards enhancing the university’s policies and vision.
“Building on my predecessor’s strong foundation, we have introduced new policies and improvements aimed at continuous development.
“It is through such collaborative and forward-looking leadership that Kwararafa University, Wukari continues to grow as a beacon of higher learning and social transformation in Nigeria.
“Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future for our students and the community we serve.
“In the past two years, we have made significant strides across various fronts. Our enrollment numbers have seen remarkable growth, reflecting the increasing trust in the quality and relevance of our programmes.
“Through the National Universities Commission, we have achieved accreditation for all academic programmes, stabilised our academic calendar and enhanced the infrastructural development of both our city and main campuses.
“Furthermore, we have taken a bold step to introduce postgraduate programmes. These programmes have been resource verified by the NUC and we are optimistic about further expanding our offerings to meet the demands of our evolving world.
“This represents our commitment to providing a world-class education that equips our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive.
“A crucial aspect of our strategy has been fostering sustainable partnerships and entrepreneurial endeavours.
“These initiatives are part of our mission to diversify funding sources, prioritise staff welfare and create a stable environment for both students and staff.
“Our goal is to build a vibrant academic community that can adapt and innovate in response to emerging challenges.
“Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students. It is with great pride that I announce the success of 26 students who have attained the prestigious First Class Honours across our three colleges, with nine of them set to receive the university’s prestigious awards,” he noted.//////
Eleojo Samuel, Jalingo
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Taraba State University, on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of her Services to the university and embark on an indefinite strike.
Comrade Bitrus Joseph Ajibauka, the chairperson of the association who announced the Union’s decision in a press statement said, the action follows, both the state government the and university management’s failure to meet her long overdue demands.
The union noted in the statement that it has been shortchanged, neglected and left out by the University Management and the Taraba State Government by failing to address their challenges.
“This is to notify the general public that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)Taraba State University Branch has from today Wednesday, the 11thDecember, 2024, commenced a total comprehensive and indefinite strike action. We have withdrawn our services to the Taraba State University, with effective from Monday, 9th December, 2024.
“This action is imperative because we have been shortchanged, neglected and left out by the University Management and the Taraba State Government for failing to address our demands.
“We want both the Taraba state government and the university management to address the following demands before we can resume our services.
“The Outstanding salary /Allowances, Unpaid full salaries of September 2022, Unpaid full salaries of October 2022, the Withheld 28% of June, 2022 salary balance, the Withheld 51% of November, 2022 salary balance and the Withheld 44% of December, 2022 salary balance.
“The promotion arrears balance of 2016 to 2020 promotion arrears. The lack of pension scheme. The Contributory pension Scheme of the university since it inception in 2008 to date, is against the provision of Pension Act, and is a threat to the future and job security of our members.
“The dissolution of the Taraba State University Governing Council by the Visitor Dr. Agbu Kefas, on the 1st June, 2023 is affecting the performance of the University because the University is now operating without Council.
“It is heart touching to report to you that Taraba State University, Jalingo is still using the N18,000 National Minimum Wage Bill of 8th December, 2009. Across the four (4) salary structures, which was implemented in April 2010.
The N30,000 National Minimum Wage of 2019, the 25/35 per cent salary consequential adjustment of 2023 and the N70,000 New National Minimum Wage of 2024 as enacted by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment), Act
2024 have not being implemented in the University by the University
Management and the Taraba State Government.
“Our members in Taraba State University are yet to benefit the N35,000 wage award per month as approved by President Bola Tinubu. The Balance of Earned Administrative Allowances (EAA) for nonteaching staff from 2009 to 2013 has not been paid.
“We totally reject the retrogressive application of the Criteria and guideline for appointment, appraisal and Promotions of Senior Non-Academic Staff of 2012
that was annulled, repealed and replaced for the Appraisal Exercise of 2023/2024.
“The guidelines for Appointments and Promotionsof Senior Non-Academic Staff as approved by Council in 2020 that was used for 2020/2021, and 2022/2023 Appraisal exercise has not been repealed by any Council. Pursuant to this, we are re-appealing to the University Management and the
State Government to use the 2020 policy document for our Appraisal exercise of 2023/2024 and set up a Committee to review it as appropriate”. The statement read.
Eleojo Samuel Jalingo
Another tragedy has struck the family of Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas following the sudden death of the driver who drove the Bus that conveyed the Governor’s Mother and Sister, late Atsi during the attack on their convoy along Wukari-Kente Road in Wukari Local Government Area last week.
The driver, who’s name is simply given as Abraham was said to have slumped and died instantly on hearing news of the death of Mrs. Atsi Kefas, younger sister of Taraba State Governor who died in Abuja on Tuesday as a result of an accidental discharge from one of the police escorts on the convoy
Abraham was in company of other government house drivers at Taraba Governor’s Lodge, Abuja on Tuesday when they received the news of the death of the Governor’s younger sister, Atsi Kefas.
Sources reveals that Abraham shouted in a very loud voice and suddenly slumped and died instantly.
It was gathered that the late Driver, Abraham an indigene of Wukari, Governor Kefas home town, was engaged as one of the drivers in the convoy of Governor Kefas’s wife after he became Governor in 2023.
According to family sources, the late Abraham is a relation of the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Agyin Agbu Kefas .
The news of the death of Abraham who is said to have left behind two wives and many children has sent shock waves to the families of Governor Kefas and government house drivers in Jalingo.
As at press time, there was no official statement from the state government on the death of the driver.
Meanwhile, Prominent Nigerians have continued to troop T Y Danjuma’s Taraba Governor’s Lodge Asokoro Abuja to pay their condolences on Governor Kefas over the death of his Sister,Atsi Kefas. ///.
Eleojo Samuel Jalingo
Atsi Kefas, younger sister of Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, who sustained bullet wounds from accidental discharge from the gun of one of the security personnel on the convoy of Mrs. Jummai Kefas, mother of Taraba State Governor along Wukari-Kente road on December 5, has died.
A family sources disclosed to our correspondent in Jalingo on Tuesday that Atsi, 44 years, died in a private hospital in Abuja while receiving treatment for her injuries from the gunshot in the early hours of Tuesday.
National update last week reported that unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Thursday last week attacked a vehicle in which Jummai Kefas, the mother of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, was travelling along Kente Road in Wukari Local Government Area of the state during when one of the security personnel in the vehicle who attempted to return fire to the gunmen accidentally shot Atsi who was seated next to the governor’s mother.
Investigation reveals that the suspected kidnappers had targeted Governor Kefas Mother for kidnap when they attacked the convoy on December 5.
Atsi was intially rushed to the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari where her condition was stabilized before she was flown to Abuja for further treatment.
The family sources further reveals that Doctors have been battling to save Atsi’s live in a private hospital in Abuja since Thursday last week before she finally died in the early hours of tuesday December 10.
As at press time there has not been any official statement from the state government concerning the death of the Governor’s younger Sister.
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