Dismissed lecturers beg Enugu gov for reinstatement

Ninety-four dismissed lecturers from Enugu State College of Education, Technical (ESCET) have pleaded with Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for reinstatement.

The lecturers emphasized the impending hardships on their families.

The affected lecturers conveyed their appeal through a letter titled “A passionate appeal to reconsider staff disengagement at Enugu State College of Education (Technical) Enugu.”

Governor Mbah had initiated a seven-member investigative committee in October 2023 to probe alleged fraud and corruption within the institution. The dismissed lecturers, identifying themselves as responsible and dedicated Enugu State indigenes, expressed their shock upon receiving disengagement notices on February 26, conveyed through the acting registrar, Pat Aneke.

Detailing their commitment to ESCET, the group highlighted achievements such as being the only set, alongside Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, to succeed in the 2023 TETFAIR programme in the entire South East.

They emphasized their role in securing an international education grant for further research, aiming to enhance the quality of education in Nigeria.

The lecturers, labelled as special hybrid and highly intellectual academics, claimed to have been actively involved in projects to increase internally generated revenue (IGR) through research engagements for the institution before their abrupt disengagement.

The educators, despite facing irregular payment of salaries, remained dedicated to the college, with two colleagues reportedly losing pregnancies while serving as invigilators in the examination hall. The group lamented the lack of communication from the Investigation and Implementation Committees regarding the challenges ESCET faced, asserting that the institution’s issues could be addressed without depleting its already understaffed workforce.

Alleging a cumulative salary arrear of 13 months, the group emphasized the excruciating pain caused by the sudden termination of employment, affecting their ability to provide for their families. As they appeal for justice and reinstatement, the dismissed lecturers call attention to the broader implications of the disengagement on the educational community.

NAN