Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has reassured Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, of his commitment to resolving issues affecting the institution like Begging. Governor Otti pledged to address challenges and transform ABSU into a model tertiary institution.
In a meeting with the executives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Abia State University (ABSU) on Wednesday, Otti tasked the University to put on its thinking cap, quit begging for funds and source means of generating revenue to sustain itself.
Expressing surprise over alleged 18-month salary differentials owed to ASUU members and 11 months’ salary arrears from the previous administration, Governor Otti emphasised the need for ABSU to strive for financial independence.
Governor Otti stated, “It is important that we put on our thinking cap and remove our begging cap because this whole idea of begging is the problem that we have in Nigeria.
“Even as a country, we keep begging, we keep borrowing and we need to think of being financially independent.
“Even from research alone, if anything is happening in the University, we should be able to generate enough resources to do a few things.
“We need to think in that direction because it is more sustainable,” he added.
Acknowledging the necessity for improvements at ABSU, the governor assured ASUU executives that the state government would collaborate with the university to strengthen corporate governance.
In response, Dr. Happiness Uduak, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Calabar Zone, commended Governor Otti for developmental projects in Abia State and ABSU.
Dr. Uduak highlighted that ASUU members at ABSU were owed 11 months of outstanding salaries from 2022. The union also requested a review of subvention to the university and renegotiation of their salaries.
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The ASUU delegation appealed to the government to set up a visitation panel to address anomalies within the institution and revisit the deteriorating Okigwe-Uturu road leading to ABSU.