The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, has called on the Kaduna State government to modestly review the tax obligations on staff of the university.
Prof Ahmed, who led members of the University Management on a courtesy call on Governor Uba Sani, stressed that the high cost of living, coupled with the prevailing tax regime, had left the university staff overstretched.
“A modest review or some relief of the tax obligations on our staff would in no small way free up resources for families, improve morale, and ultimately reflect on better teaching, research, and service delivery,” he said.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor said ABU would be immensely grateful if Governor Sani could help extend the institution’s appeal to other northern governors to jointly mobilise broader regional support for the university.
Prof Ahmed told Governor Uba Sani that ABU was one of the last few legacies of the Sardauna left standing today.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a 10-megawatt solar plant for ABU, and for the Student Loan Scheme which had brought much relief to students.
Ahmed equally briefed the governor on some of the university’s recent achievements, saying the university was recently ranked as the “best public university in Nigeria” by Times Higher Education (THE).
“Our global ranking has improved significantly, and JAMB has honoured us as the best and most representative university in Nigeria from the standpoint of admission”, he further said.
He said the university last week launched a new initiative – ‘Lunch with the Vice-Chancellor’ programme for students – as part of efforts to build future leaders for Nigeria.
According to him, the programme sought to provide students with an opportunity for open and sincere dialogue with leadership.
The Vice-Chancellor explained that it also aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders who would embody knowledge, character, responsibility, and empathy.
It was in that spirit the Vice-Chancellor went to the Kaduna Government House along with the President of ABU Student Representative Council to have the privilege of a handshake with the governor.
Governor Uba Sani was assisted in receiving the Vice-Chancellor and his entourage by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdulkadir Muazu Meyare, and other members of the Kaduna State Executive Council.
There were presentations of souvenirs and group photographs inside the Government House Council Chamber shortly after the courtesy visit
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