Ndaeyo urges Tinubu to release lecturers’ salaries

Ini Billie, Uyo

Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the withheld salaries of university lecturers.

Ndaeyo who appreciated President Tinubu for releasing four out of the eight months withheld salaries of the lecturers said releasing the remaining four months would greatly boost the morale of staff.

Speaking at the weekend during the combined convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo, the VC called on the President to increase the annual budgetary allocations to the education sector, particularly the universities.

He said though the Federal Government has tried its best to tackle the funding issue, it was still grossly inadequate due to the increasing population of students.

“The federal government has done its best in the aspect of funding tertiary education in the country, but this best is still grossly inadequate considering the ever-increasing population of students

“I therefore appeal most passionately to the federal government of Nigeria through the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to kindly step up the annual budgetary allocations to Education, particularly to universities,” he stated.

He urged the federal government to revisit the non-payment of the University of Uyo take-off grant, saying the issue has remained the fervent prayer of the University’s management, adding that the prayers will not cease until the government grants the much-needed financial benefit to the institution.

“In the particular case of the University of Uyo, our request for a revisiting of the take-off grant issue remains a fervent prayer which we will not cease presenting to the federal government unless and until it is hearkened to, and implemented to give us the much-needed financial muscle,” he said.

He mentioned erosion and insecurity among others as some of the institution’s challenges and called on spirited organisations and the government to come to its aid.

In his address, Chancellor of the University, Alh. (Dr) Abubakar Adamu Maje congratulated the graduates for their successes and urged them to be innovative, creative and resourceful in the face of limited white-collar jobs.

The chancellor who is also the Emir of Hedeja and Chairman of the Jigawa State Council of Chiefs, called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s led administration, especially in its efforts to transform the country.

“I at this moment call on all to support the present federal government which is just a few months in office but with great promises to transform Nigeria into a destination of development,” he said.

A total of 14,866 graduands received various degrees for the combined sessions comprising of 2017/2018, 2018/2019,2019/2020 at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

A break shows that 475 bagged doctorate degrees, 1, 389 received master’s degrees and 808 were conferred with Post graduate diplomas.

During the undergraduate level, 11, 795 graduands received Bachelor’s degrees, 318 had diplomas, and 81 received certificates, totalling 14, 866.

Three prominent Nigerians were conferred with honorary degrees for their contributions to humanity.

Mr Udom Inoyo was conferred with a Doctorate degree in law, Senator Daisy Danjuma received a Doctorate degree in Political Diplomacy and Vincent Enyeama, received a doctorate degree in Philosophy in Human Kinetics and Physical Education with a focus on football.