In what appears to be a bewildering twist, the Kogi State Government, led by Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, has found itself embroiled in a controversy over the employment of teachers through the STETSCOM (State Teaching Service Commission) since February 13, 2023. Shockingly, despite the passage of several months, not a single salary has been paid to these newly recruited teachers, raising serious doubts about the government’s intentions.
The recruitment process had commenced in September of the previous year when the State government called for applications from qualified teachers across the three senatorial districts. Following the rigorous selection process, successful candidates were invited for an aptitude test, after which they underwent screening and were eventually handed appointment letters in January and February of the current year.
However, what was meant to be a hopeful turning point in the lives of these aspiring educators has turned into a saga of frustration and hardship. Many of these teachers, lured away from their meager jobs in pursuit of a promising career in the education sector, now find themselves grappling with uncertainty and deprivation. The government’s failure to remunerate them promptly has left them struggling to make ends meet, pondering whether this was a genuine recruitment effort or a carefully orchestrated deception.
In a further display of disrespect, the newly recruited teachers endured the onerous task of traveling to multiple venues for various stages of the recruitment process, all at their personal expense. This financial burden weighed heavily on them, yet both the government and Kogi STETSCOM seemed indifferent to their struggles. To protect their identities from potential repercussions by the state government and its agents, some teachers spoke with me anonymously. For the sake of anonymity, all names mentioned here are fictional.
One teacher, 56-year-old Mary, expressed her frustration, saying, “Nine hundred and something naira? This government is incredibly selfish.”Another teacher named Sen recounted their ordeal, “We worked for a full three months, spending our own resources on food, accommodation, and transportation, only to be paid for one month. This is completely unfair.”Unique, another teacher, expressed disappointment, “They will pay us for one out of the six months owed, and then later shortchange us again with an incomplete one-month salary.It’s time for us to stand up and say no because once they win their election, they will continue mistreating us without any consequences.”The situation paints a distressing picture of the teachers’ plight and highlights the need for fair treatment and proper compensation for their dedicated efforts.
Amidst the economic challenges and the removal of subsidies, these educators find themselves at the mercy of an indifferent system. With each passing day, their dreams of contributing to the development of Kogi State’s education system and securing a brighter future for themselves and their families are gradually fading.
The looming question now haunts both the government and the STETSCOM – was this recruitment exercise genuinely intended to address the state’s educational needs, or was it a mere political ploy to curry favor ahead of the upcoming November governorship election? The timing of this debacle raises suspicions, and the affected teachers, along with concerned citizens, are demanding transparency and accountability from the authorities.
As the teachers’ desperation grows, they appeal to the world for support, urging influential voices to speak up and hold the government accountable for its actions. The hope is that the power of collective advocacy will compel the government to take decisive action, ensuring that justice is served, and these dedicated educators are duly compensated for their time, effort, and sacrifice. In the face of adversity, these teachers remain steadfast in their commitment to education and the betterment of Kogi State.
As the story unfolds, the world watches closely, hoping that justice prevails and that the fate of these aspiring educators serves as a testament to the value of honesty and integrity in governance. Only time will tell whether this recruitment saga will be remembered as a tale of redemption or deception in the annals of Kogi State’s history.
– Augustine Akande
augutineakande@yahoo.com
