Governor Sule inaugurates committee to investigate irregularities in teachers’ recruitment
Governor Abdullahi Sule has inaugurated a four-member committee to investigate irregularities in the recent recruitment of teachers by the Nasarawa State Teachers Service Commission (NSTSC).
The committee was inaugurated at a ceremony at the Government House on Thursday.
Governor Sule tasked the committee members to perform their duties diligently, without bias, and to uphold transparency and accountability. He expressed concern over reports that officials handling the recruitment had recruited more teachers than were approved, prompting the suspension of the chairman and members of the teachers’ service commission.
He said, “This situation is worrisome and could damage the image of the government and the state if not addressed. It is necessary to form this committee to investigate the issue and determine the truth.”
Governor Sule also reflected on the efforts of his administration since 2019 to transform the educational sector. These included establishing committees to assess the challenges facing education at all levels in the state. The findings of these committees revealed a significant shortfall in teaching staff and the need for infrastructure improvements.
READ ALSO: Zulum pays ₦8bn, clears gratuities for retired primary school teachers, others
“As a result, over 8,000 teaching and non-teaching staff were recruited into the educational system. Despite this, there remains a shortage of teachers in both primary and secondary schools, which led to approval for the recruitment of 1,000 additional teaching staff to fill gaps in secondary schools,” he explained.
While acknowledging that the 1,000 teachers had been recruited and posted to schools, the governor raised concerns after the teachers received their first salaries. He mentioned that some citizens had complained about the non-payment of salaries to other teachers who had been appointed and posted to various schools.
The newly established four-man investigative committee will be chaired by Mr. Silas J. Dachor, a former permanent secretary. The committee members include Hajiya Fatu Jimeta, a former commissioner of education; Dr. Yusuf Alfa Danya, a former board chairman of the Federal Polytechnic Baale; and Belinda A. Oyegbenu, Permanent Secretary of the Establishment and Manpower Development, who will serve as the committee secretary.
The governor outlined the committee’s terms of reference, which include determining the recruitment process, confirming the number of recruits based on approval, identifying any unauthorized recruits, and verifying the posting and payment of teachers.
“We are not pushing this committee unnecessarily hard. If there are teachers who have worked for months without pay, it is important to resolve this quickly,” Governor Sule emphasized.
In an introductory remark, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, highlighted that the committee, consisting of technocrats, is part of the governor’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the civil service.
In his response, Mr. Silas J. Dachor thanked the governor for the trust placed in the committee. He assured the governor that the committee would carry out the task with diligence, without fear or favour, and produce recommendations to help address the issues.
The ceremony also saw the inauguration of Mohammed Bello Isa as the newly appointed Director-General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management Development Agency.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
