News Editor
By David Odama
Students of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa have appealed to the federal government to retain Hajiya Hauwa Tanko, the Acting Rector of the institution as it’s substantive Rector.
The students during a peaceful demonstration at the institution on Thursday, displayed placards with inscriptions such as “We want a mother who is watching for the interest of the students”, “Hajiya Hauwa Muhammad Tanko is the best for the position”, “The reward for hard work is more work” among others.
City post gathered that that since the expiration of the tenure of the last substantive Rector, Dr Abdullahi Alhassan on December 31, 2023, the institution has been under the administration of an Acting Rectors which would have elapsed after a period of six months with Hajiya Hauwa Tanko holding sway as the Acting Rector.
Speaking on the issue, President, Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution, Nuhu Abdulsamad, said students in the institution decided to back the Acting Rector because of her outstanding leadership qualities since she became the Acting Rector of the institution.
“She has the welfare of the students at heart and has ensured that students are studying in a conducive learning environment. She has prioritized security in the institution and I think Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa is one of the safest institution in the country due to her efforts.
“In terms of infrastructure she is doing very well. She is an Acting Rector but she is already performing as a substantive Rector. We are already in tune with her vision and want her to actualize if for the benefit of the institution.
“That is why we are calling on the federal government to retain her as the substantive Rector of this institution because she has all the qualities and so she can complete her plans for the institution,” she said.
He pointed out that the students would have protested against her or advocated for a new substantive Rector be appointed but so far students of the institution are satisfied and happy with her performance.
“We are the ones representing the students and the students have overwhelming giving their support for her to continue in that position as the substantive Rector,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Muhammad Jamiu, Senate President of the SUG legislative arm said her past antecedents and her current efforts in the institution are the reason why students want her retained as the substantive Rector.
“We have known this woman for some years now. Among her previous roles she was once the Dean of Student affairs and she did well. Moreso they say it is someone you know that you can trust. She is someone we know and have confidence in very well.
“The reason for this activity today is for the world to know that we as students are happy with the output of the current Acting Rector. She is a mother who has shown great interest in the welfare of students. That’s why we are clamouring for her to be retained,” he said.
Our correspondent also reports that the SUG also organized an orientation workshop for the newly admitted students of the institution who were lectured on how to access federal government student loan, dress decently, avoid drug abuse and the institution procedures among others.
