Chairman of Borno State Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teacher (NUT), Comrade Zali Abdu-Garba, has applauded the State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on his target to recruit 5000 teachers to meet the needs of primary and secondary schools in the state.
Abdu-Garba gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the Arewa stakeholders meeting of the union held in Katsina at the weekend.
The NUT chieftain, who revealed that the recruitment process would soon commence with the screening of the applicants in seven different centres across the state to reduce the applicants’ difficulties, noted that Prof. Zulum remained committed to providing quality education, enhanced teachers welfare and people oriented administration.
“He said we (members of the recruitment committee) should try as much as we can and get the best quality teachers. Where we don’t have it (needed quality) in Borno State, he said we should go outside the state and ensure that we get the best regardless of where the persons come from in the country.
“He categorically said even if he sends a note, we should not honour it, insisting that the recruitment exercise should be merit based,” he revealed.
The unionist shared: “We are now working on it seriously; by Tuesday, we will finalize our meeting on the screening exercise and he (Zulum) has decentralized the committee so that we will not gather all the applicants in Maiduguri so that they will not suffer.”
According to him, Zulum had not only justified his position as a professor but as a leader who believes in his people and quality education.
The chairman, who disclosed that the state government had outlined a number of measures ranging from rural teachers allowances and provision of subsidized food items for schools and various organizations in the state, solicited support from all public servants to the government.
“My advice to the teachers is to recommit ourselves to our service to reciprocate the kind gesture of His Excellency and we can only do that through the emancipation of the education industry immediately after insurgency.
“I want to assure you that my teachers are actually doing everything possible to up the expectations of his His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Zulum,” he declared.
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