After the suspension of the Acting Provost of College of Agriculture, Zuru in Kebbi State, Bala Abubakar Sahabi Zogirma, some senior members of staff of the college yesterday wrote a letter to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to investigate the school management and graduates of the institution over allegation of certificate forgery by some lecturers and students.
In a joint interview by some senior members of staff with our Correspondent yesterday in Zuru, the workers, while given the reasons for the suspension of the provost, however, lamented the poor academic performance and financial irregularities that marred the college activities over the years.
The senior staff members, who pleaded anonymity further pointed out that about 80 per cent of lecturers possess fake certificates, which they forged so as to lecture in the college.”
Following the crisis in the college, the Kebbi State Government, the proprietor of the institution, had ordered the immediate suspension of the Acting Provost of the college.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abubakar Muazu Dakingari quoted the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Babale Umar Yuri, as saying that “the action had become necessary following the recent unfortunate happenings in the institution, contrary to due process and laid down rules and regulations.”
Yauri said: “Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu approved the suspension order and directed the Acting Provost to hand over the all college’s documents in his possession to the next Senior Head of Department.
Also briefing newsmen on a condition of anonymity while confirming the incident to our reporter, a resident of the host community, Alhaji zuru zuru, expressed dismay over the manner the provost handled academic development of the college, adding that due process was being neglected in the process.
“The college has no qualified lecturers and competent members of staff, and NBTE needs to investigate the college with a view to making the college more standard, as the institution is merely awarding National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) for which the graduates cannot defend,” he added.
