Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has given a three-week ultimatum for staff of Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Sciences and Technology (UICEST), Bama to commence academic activities or risk transfers. According to him, the massive transfers could either be to secondary schools or outright dismissals from the Civil Service, The Governor gave the ultimatum at the weekend, when he inspected the College of Education; after being renovated with perimeter fencing in 2020. While addressing a few staff and students; he said: “Today (Friday); I gave you up to November 1, 2021 to begin the academic session in Bama,” warning that failure to meet the ultimatum could lead to teachers’ transfers or sack from the service.
He also gave the students three weeks to either return to Bama for academic session or risk massive transfers to the Mohammed Goni College of Islamic and Legal Studies (MOGOLIS) and College of Education, Waka-Biu or consider themselves withdrawn from UICEST. IPiqued by the teachers and their students to return to Bama, he said: “This is the third time I am directing you to relocate to Bama but you refused to comply.” He reiterated that anyone that is ready to teach; should come to this College, while those that are not willing should leave. Zulum, who was visibly angry, declared: “There are many people out there looking for jobs.” According to him; there is no way the education sector will be allowed to rot under his watch. Citing the College Provost, he said: “If the Provost doesn’t have the capacity to run the school, I will change you and bring someone; who will run this College better. “I have been hearing what you have been saying, you don’t want to be relocated to Bama. Anybody who is not willing should leave.”
Continuing; he added: “It seems you are not ready to serve your fatherland. I am directing the Commissioner for Education to also conduct verifications of the academic and nonacademic staff of the College. He warned that any staff who doesn’t have the requisite qualification, is not supposed to teach in any of the Colleges of Education. Zulum therefore directed the registrar of the institution to open an attendance register for the staff to sign every day. He directed the registrar of the institutions to open attendance registers for the staff to sign every day.
