Governor Mutfwang Approves Compensation for Years of Underpayment
A wave of relief and celebration swept through Plateau State’s tertiary education sector on Thursday as Governor Caleb Mutfwang formally absorbed long-serving ad-hoc staff of the College of Education and Plateau State Polytechnic into the state workforce. Many of the beneficiaries had worked for between five and 20 years on monthly stipends as low as ₦6,000.
The historic meeting, held at Victoria Gowon Hall, New Government House, Little Rayfield, marked the official confirmation of their employment and a directive from the Governor to compensate them for years of underpayment while sustaining the institutions.
“It was ungodly and unjust,” Mutfwang said, condemning decades of exploitation.
Addressing the emotional gathering, the Governor expressed concern for workers who had labored without permanent appointments or fair remuneration.
“When we discovered that none of you had been given permanent appointments, we felt it was wicked and ungodly. That is why we suspended the earlier recruitment exercise—to correct these injustices,” he stated.
Following a thorough audit of qualifications and complaints, facilitated by a dedicated help desk at the Ministry of Education, qualified workers were finally absorbed. Governor Mutfwang also announced approved financial compensation for their years of service.
“Even the years of collecting ₦6,000 and ₦15,000 should not only be appreciated but compensated. I have approved funds that will be communicated to you properly,” he said.
Encouraging staff to pursue further education and professional development, the Governor promised incentives for those seeking to upgrade their qualifications. He also highlighted significant progress since his administration took office, including a jump in Polytechnic admissions from about 3,000 to 9,000 students and the approval of 19 new degree programs at the College of Education.
“We are committed to ensuring our schools have the staff needed to produce graduates Plateau will be proud of,” Mutfwang added.
Commissioner for Education, Kachollom Gang, praised the Governor’s focus on justice for the ad-hoc staff, describing him as a leader with genuine compassion.
“He repeatedly asked: What of the ad-hoc staff? Are they qualified? Why were they not taken? His concern shows he is a father indeed,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the absorbed workers, Mr. Josiah Sati recounted decades of suffering and neglect.
“For 22 years we cried. No one listened. We don’t remember the last time we celebrated Christmas. Our families suffered. But today, sir, God has used you for us,” he said, overcome with emotion.
Sati described the Governor as the only leader to acknowledge their plight in over two decades:
“What 22 governments could not do, you have done. For this reason, we are writing your name in gold.”
Special Advisers on Youth Matters and Labour, Hon. Hitler Pwajok and Titus Alams, urged the newly absorbed staff to honor the government’s gesture through dedication and punctuality.
“The Governor has prioritized education because it is the foundation of development. Don’t betray the trust placed in you,” Alams said.
The event ended in jubilation, with staff expressing renewed hope and pledging loyalty to the administration. With permanent employment and approved compensation, Plateau’s tertiary institutions are now poised for stability and improved academic performance, correcting decades of systemic neglect.
A month after the mass abduction of 46 Oyo schoolchildren and teachers by terrorists on May 15 and the decapitation of a teacher, the captives remain in the forest despite military claims and political promises from President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde.
The terrorists kidnapped the students and staffers after invading schools in the Esienle and Yawota communities in Orire local council in Oyo state.
Days after the abduction, one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the terrorists, pressuring the government to meet their demands for the release of the abductees.
On May 19, four days after the abduction, the Defence Headquarters, in a statement by its spokesperson, Michael Onoja, said, “Troops are currently deployed and actively operating within the forest in pursuit of the perpetrators and in search of the abducted victims.”
“Troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago, have since reorganised, and are continuing the search and pursuit operations with full determination.”
The military and the government cited collateral damage as a reason for not taking out the terrorists.
While the schoolchildren and their teachers languish in captivity, Messrs Tinubu and Makinde have been engaging in electioneering as they chase their presidential dreams, both emerging as their party’s candidates for the 2027 election.
On May 31, Mr Makinde visited the hostages’ communities, promising their families the safe return of those abducted.
“This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and federal government. This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers, Mr Makinde told the families of abductees. “All I need is your cooperation. Please trust us. I cannot speak much because it has security implications. I know your hearts are bleeding. My heart is also bleeding. Please trust us. We will secure their release.”
Similarly, a delegation representing Mr Tinubu, led by his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited the families and made a similar promise.
In a video released by the terrorists, Rachael Alamu, one of the hostages and the principal of Community High School Esinele, begged Messrs Tinubu and Makinde to negotiate with the terrorists to secure their release.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State House of Assembly has opposed negotiating with the terrorists.
Debo Ogundoyin, the speaker of the assembly, said the state would not pay ransom, give weapons to terrorists or change laws to accommodate the kidnappers.
Several protests have followed the government’s failure to rescue the hostages.
Amid public outrage and discontent, many Nigerians protested across several states, including Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Bayelsa, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory, demanding the immediate rescue of the hostages.
In his Democracy Day speech on June 12, Mr Tinubu said, “Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough.”
The president urged terrorists and bandits across the country to lay down their arms or face the wrath of his administration.
The Plateau State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has joined its counterparts across the country in protesting the abduction of pupils and teachers from a primary school in Oyo State.
Hundreds of teachers staged a demonstration in Jos, the Plateau State capital, carrying placards and banners to express their anger over the continued captivity of the victims several weeks after the incident.
The protesters called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate and safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers, stressing that schools must remain safe spaces for learning.
They also expressed concern over the growing trend of school-related abductions in parts of the country, warning that such incidents could discourage parents from sending their children to school if not urgently addressed.
The union urged authorities to strengthen security around educational institutions and ensure the safe return of all victims still in captivity.
