Victoria Mbangwa
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Taraba State University (ASUU-TSU), has called on the state government to take immediate action in addressing the deteriorating welfare of university staff, following the tragic deaths of three of its members within a 48-hour span.
The lecturers, identified as Professor Akporido Samuel, Dr. Kiliobas Sha’a, and Mallam Ibrahim Saleh Bali, passed away amidst growing concerns over unresolved welfare issues that have plagued the university.
ASUU-TSU leadership, under the guidance of Chairman Dr. Mbave Joshua Garba, expressed outrage over the poor working conditions that have contributed to these fatalities, attributing their deaths to neglect and the absence of basic provisions such as unpaid Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), salary backlogs, and a non-functional pension scheme.
He said, “The plight of ASUU-TSU members has reached a heartbreaking and unbearable level.
“Amid this sea of suffering, we have tragically lost three of our dear colleagues. Their untimely departure is a stark reminder of the toll our collective hardship is taking on us.”
“This is not just a cry of despair but a call to action, Is this the future we deserve? Is this the fate that awaits those who have dedicated their lives to the service of education and the nation?”
Dr. Garba further emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three lecturers were not isolated incidents but rather the result of long-standing neglect of the university staff’s welfare. He stressed that these issues had compounded over time, leaving ASUU-TSU members in a state of despair.
“Their sacrifices must not be in vain. The authorities must act now to prioritize the welfare of ASUU-TSU members and prevent more losses,” he said.
