Workers in tertiary institutions owned by Plateau State Government under the aegies of Joint Union of Plateau State owned Tertiary Institutions (JUPTI) on Friday 5th February 2021 honoured Governor Simon Bako Lalong with an award for his consistency and passion towards workers welfare and development of education.
The Union which also inaugurated its new executives during the event held at the J.C
Dariye hall of the Plateau State Polytechnic Jos campus said it was very happy to recognise the efforts of the Lalong administration for promptly attending to welfare of workers particularly those in tertiary institutions.
While presenting the award to the Governor, immediate past Chairman of JUPTI Comrade Paul Dakogol said the workers are happy that Governor Lalong has kept his word on payment of salaries and other entitlements to staff as well as clearance of all arrears left behind by the past administration of Governor Jang.
He said the union also came to the conclusion to recognise the Governor for other Infrastructural developments in various tertiary, secondary and primary schools in the State which have enhanced academic pursuit and improvement in the quality of education in the State.
Governor Lalong while accepting the award said he was humbled and happy that the workers on their own assessments came to the conclusion to recognise his administration’s focus on developing education which is the fulcrum of progress for every society.
He said ” I am of the deep conviction that unless we educate our citizens and enable them acquire the capacity to deploy their talents for empowerment, we cannot go anywhere as a State. An uneducated citizenry is not only difficult to govern, but even harder to mobilise for impact.This explains why we have continued to give education the needed priority”.
He explained that apart from reviving the Plateau State University Bokkos which was virtually shut down and comatose when he came into office, his administration has been giving similar attention to other tertiary institutions owned by the State in terms of infrastructure, manpower and staff welfare. This according to him explains why the Lalong Legacy Projects are dominated by education and health institutions which are being developed to world-class standards.
Lalong charged the new Executives and members of JUPTI to use their unique and strategic positions to be a force for harmony and development of education in Plateau State. He advised them to always encourage dialogue rather than confrontation in resolving labour disputes in order to engender industrial harmony in the citadels of learning.
Rector of the Plateau State Polytechnic Mr. John Dawam applauded the Governor for the approval for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Shendam, as well as the Karl Kumm University Vom and ANAN University of Accountancy, Kwall.
He said the development of infrastructure at the Plateau State Polytechnic is commendable but more should be done to enable the school cope with higher student number and deliver quality education.
The plateau state Head of Service Mr Izam Azi also received an award for his commitment to labour matters and facilitating dialogue between the Government and the labour movement in the State.
