… Over 45 lecturers resigned within two months.
45 lecturers from Kogi State University, Anyigba have so far resigned within two months under the watch of Yahaya Bello.
Is Yahaya Bello directly demystifying Igala?
If you ask me the answer is yes.
I hate tribal discussions but I have been pressed to the wall to comment after much ado to write on this topic. It is unarguable that the only thing we have in the heart of Igala Kingdom under the control of the State is the University in Anyigba. Will posterity forgive this generation of Igalas if we fold our arms to allow it to be ruined systematically by somebody on a mission to cause ethnic division, rivalry and hate in Kogi state?
Time to speak up is now!
Otherwise our silence will amount to disservice to our children born and yet unborn. It is illogical for any serious government in power to subject the University lecturers to civil service “ghost” screening exercise except if ghost lecturers can now wear human faces to teach students. It is another attempt to weaken the system that is made of intellectuals and molders of minds. This act defiles logic and politicising academic institution is most unfortunate for any leader in the 21st century.
The question is, Is it far from an ulterior motive to weaken educational system in Kogi East? Is it a long written script that is being played out?
Screenings are good if there are screenings indeed. Blocking financial leakages is key and I am an unrepentant advocate of a well-intentioned exercise. However, the process from what is on is politically, sectionally and sentimentally motivated and it therefore becomes difficult to lend our supports.
Opinions have been sought across the axes of the States and the 80% of the so-called ghost workers are Igalas that are never ghost; they are bonafide civil servants with pedigree who were denied screening forms by the hired retrenchment General and marked for retrenchment. The ploy is to relegate the Igalas to the background and be reduced to the lowest level in Kogi State Civil Service. This barbaric policy is capable of dividing Kogi along ethnic lines and can create ethnic tension.
There is already suffering in the land due to non- payment of salary by both State and Local Governments not to even talk about unpopular and poverty-inflicting policies of the governments.
On assumption, first was the demolition of the Round About in lokoja town over night it was rumoured that the previous Igala Governor planted charm there, till now the search missionaries couldn’t come home with anything. As governor, Mr Bello sent permanent secretaries and directors on compulsory leaves and majority of those affected are Igala. One notable and suspicious instance was the sacking of Igala as permanent secretary Government House and the recalling of an Ebira man from retirement as replacement behaving as if he also has interest of Ebira at heart but with a planned attempt to cause chaos through divide and rule. These steps are unfortunate and if not retraced could portend worse days capable of sparking tensions along many divides in the State.
Therefore, the elites in the Ebira land should prevail on Bello and inform him on the implication of setting Ebira against Igala.
In all fairness to Ebira we have been living together as brothers and sisters and we know very well that same spirit of oneness is very vital to our mutual coexistence .
– Usman Okai Austin
PDP Headquarters,
Abuja
