L-R; Vice- Chancellor University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Representative of Love and Light Uni Abuja Alumni Association USA, Mrs.Tracy Ejim; with Director Development Agency of University of Abuja, Prof. Ubom Bassey; during the Alumni Association’s Lecturer Support Project in Abuja.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah has reterieted the universities commitment in the protection of life and properties of students and staff of the institution.
Na’Allah who made the commitment in the university, during the support project of the Love and Light University of Abuja Alumni Association, USA Branch said security is one of the priority of the institution.
According to him, on Nov. 2, 2021 gun men invaded the staff quarters of the University of Abuja, abducting six persons, including two professors, a deputy registrar and three families.
“Security is number one, we are very alert and I am determined that the kidnapping incidence of November 2021 will never again repeat itself.
“We are doing everything possible to make sure that such incidence does not happen again in our institution,” he said.
However, he maintained that among other infrastructural projects in the University, security tops the priority of the institution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alumni made cash donations to the lecturers suffering impact of the prolonged ASUU industrial strike action as well as the families of the kidnapped victims.
While making the donations, representative of the US based University of Abuja alumni association, Mrs Tracy Kanu-Ejim, reiterated the associations’ commitment in supporting university.
“Our mission here is two folds, first is to carry out an act of goodwill towards the academics of this university who have endured a protracted strike without pay in this period of harsh economic realities.
“We want to appreciate your great spirit of sacrifice and encourage you to continue in the intellectual development of your students.
“We had 54 beneficiaries, 50 lecturers randomly selected on faculty by faculty basis and four families who were victims of the unfortunate kidnapping, a total of 54 lecturers were selected.”
According to her,iIn just two years of its operation, the alumni association had committed over $50,000 in supporting charity works.
Tracy called on the government to attend to the demands of ASUU in order to end the prolonged industrial action, urging government to honour agreements reached by ASUU.
“We wish to appeal to the government to find more amicable ways of resolving disagreements without disrupting the educational stability and development this nation.
“Government should develop the political and economic will and adhere to good governance principles in addressing such conditions that reproduce disputes” She said.
In her remarks, Safiya Ismaila Yero, University of Abuja head of Alumni Relation, eulogised the kind gesture of the America arm of the alumni association
“We are very grateful to the Love and Light Uni-Abuja alumni Association, USA for their generous support,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)