DISENGAGED STAFF OF IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY OF Of EDUCATION DECRY NON PAYMENT OF NINE MONTHS OWED SALARY BY FUBARA

Some disengaged academic and non-academic staff of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) have appealed to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to revisit their suspended employment and approve payment of nine months’ salaries owed to them after rendering services without pay.

The affected workers, whose appointments were halted in 2023 following the suspension of staff recruitment at the university over alleged irregularities, made the appeal during a public protest in Port Harcourt. They said the decision to disengage them has subjected many to severe hardship.

Governor Fubara had earlier ordered a halt to the recruitment of staff at IAUE, promising that the employment exercise would be reviewed and that individuals who were genuinely recruited would be reinstated. Nearly three years later, the disengaged workers say the promise is yet to be fulfilled.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Assor Owhondah-Rume and Best Ezekiel said they followed due process during their recruitment, including online and physical interviews, medical examinations, biometric registration, and issuance of appointment letters. According to them, they were posted to various departments and worked for nine months without receiving salaries before their appointments were suspended.

“We did everything required of us and served diligently, yet we were disengaged without pay,” Owhondah-Rume said, describing the situation as “devastating.”

Other affected staff, Joy Okocha and Wisdom Kamalu, who spoke during an interview with Nexus Report Media, urged the governor to consider reinstating them before embarking on fresh recruitment. They argued that their details already exist in the state database, making their absorption easier and more cost-effective.

“Our request is simple reinstate us and pay the salaries we are owed,” Kamalu said, adding that many of them now struggle with basic needs such as food and accommodation.

The disengaged workers said they remain committed to contributing to the growth of Rivers State if given another opportunity, appealing to the governor to act in the interest of fairness and social justice.