King’s College Concession: Unions shut down Federal Government College, Kano

Academic activities are yet to resume at the Federal Government College, Kano, on Monday, following a directive by the education unions to its branches nationwide to oppose the resumption.

It was reported that the Federal Government had earlier ordered students across all Unity Colleges nationwide to resume academic sessions on Monday, Sept. 14.

However, the unions opposed the resumption over the controversy surrounding the alleged concession of King’s College, Lagos.

Our Correspondents who monitored the situation report that the gate of the school remained closed, with few staff seen around the area.

It was observed that no student was allowed into the school according to sources who pleaded for anonymity.

A member of the school’s management who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the institution remained locked in compliance with union directives.

He explained that the industrial action stems from controversy surrounding the alleged handover of King’s College, Lagos, to the Old Boys’ Association without formal explanations.

“The unions wrote to the Minister of Education seeking clarification on whether the school was sold, rented, or handed over for free, but received no response,” the source said.

He said that was the reason why the unions resolved to embark on the strike.

He added that they would remain closed until the controversial concession decision is suspended or completely reversed.

Checks by our correspondent revealed that students who resumed were immediately sent back without entering the premises.

Parents expressed dismay over the sudden disruption, urging the government and the unions to resolve the impasse urgently to save the academic calendar.

One of the parents, who gave his name as Mr Sanusi Kabir, expressed dismay over the situation.

He called on the two parties to hasten resolving their grievances for the progress of their children’s education.

Another parent, Mr John Thomas, said it is unfortunate that most of the time, both the government and the unions could not resolve their differences until after industrial action.

He therefore stressed the need for the government and the unions to resolve the issue to enable the students resume for normal academic activities in their respective schools.