Kaduna: The Kaduna State Head of Service, Mrs Jummai Bako, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence in Leadership and Transformative Reforms in Workers’ Welfare. The award was presented to Bako by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya Chapter, during the union’s get-together and awards ceremony, in Gidan Waya.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Bako expressed her gratitude to the union for the recognition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving staff welfare and institutional performance. She commended the academic staff for their dedication to delivering quality teacher education and producing graduates who are making impacts across various sectors in the country. Bako urged the staff and management to sustain their momentum in producing distinguished graduates.
Earlier, the Chairman of the union, Dr Christopher Yerima, highlighted that Bako was honoured for her exceptional leadership and her interest in improving workers’ welfare in the state. He noted that the college boasts 80 PhD holders in various fields, contributing to academic excellence. Yerima appealed to Governor Uba Sani to review Order 2 of the 65-year Retirement Policy of the state, stating that its implementation contradicts the College of Education Law of 2018 (as amended). He explained that the order allows teachers in secondary and basic education to retire at 65 without screening, whereas academic staff in state tertiary institutions must undergo screening.
Yerima also called for the release of the White Papers from the last two visitation panels constituted in the last decade to ensure full implementation of the recommendations. He requested the construction of internal road networks at the permanent site and the completion of the abandoned administrative block and students’ clinic. Furthermore, he urged the state government to pay the outstanding 30 per cent of the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure and Consolidated Tertiary Education Institutions Salary Structure.
The Provost of the college, Dr Ayuba Aku, highlighted the college’s recent achievements, including receiving the Joint Administration and Matriculation Board’s award as the top-performing College of Education in Nigeria for 2025 admissions. Represented by the Deputy Provost, Administration, Dr Grace Tabat, Aku stated that the college is one of the best in the country.
Chairman of the occasion, Associate Prof. Bashir Idris, commended COEASU for fostering a culture of excellence and hard work. Idris encouraged award recipients to continue serving humanity with dedication and to inspire others through exemplary conduct.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that former provosts, serving management, and academic staff of the college were also honoured at the event for their contributions to the growth and development of the college. Honorees included Mr Ishaya Dari Akau, former Provost of the College, and Malam Abdullahi Mohammad, who served as acting Provost of the college. Others recognized were the Registrar of the College, Mr Elisha Bisalla, other academic staff, and Director-General of the Kaduna State Facilities Management Agency, Mr Adamu Magaji.