We’ll raise the working spirits of our academic staff – Sokoto COEASU Chair

The newly elected Chairman of the College o Education Academic Staff‎ Union (COEASU‎), Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE) Sokoto, Comrade Mohammed Mansur Aliyu has assured the academic staff of his institution that he would work for the overall good of members.

Speaking in a exclusive interview with Newsdiaryonline.com, he said that he had known the general problems of the Institution and had better ideas of working for the general enhancement of the conditions for better productivity.

Aliyu, who was Secretary of the Union ‎in the past four years, added that he would focus on the unity of the staff.

“We will focus on the unity of the academic staff‎; improvement of academic programmes and welfare. SSCOE is the only teacher education institution we have and one of the pioneer in Nigeria. We have to move up digitally in order to be in tune with the times.

“We will ensure that the College is a pride of, not only Sokoto state but also Northern Nigeria. We will promote teacher-training in all ramifications so that our teachers will compete academically with others in other parts of the country.

“I assure that we will work with the management towards producing quality teachers ‎in our students,” he said.

Aliyu called on those who contested positions but lost to work together for the good of the Institution.

“As far as I am concerned, there is no winner and no vanquish. We are all winners. Our primary assignment is being teachers. Unionism is a secondary thing. So, we should all come together to work for the good of SSCOE,” he said.

Aliyu assured contract teachers working in the Institution that the new EXCO would pursue all benefits due to them from the school.

“There is no Institution in Nigeria that considers employing ‎resident communities as teachers like SSCOE. Most of these who indicate their desire to go for further studies are allowed by the institution.

“However, with regard to sponsorship through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the guideline for accessing sponsorship in the Fund’s Act, specifies that only those on permanent and pensionable appointments can benefit. Even if you are from Sultan Palace and you are on contract appointment, you cannot benefit TETFund sponsorship.

“‎But in our Institution, from wherever you come, the school authority allows you as a contract officer to further your education without stopping your salary,” he explained.