By Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim, Goronyo
As a staff member of Kaduna Polytechnic, I watch with bewilderment how the insatiable need of some colleagues seems to know no bounds.

I wonder how staff among us could continue concocting stories to damage the reputation of our institution and our management for selfishness, knowing deep down that they are not being truthful to themselves.
It could be recalled that in June 2024, the House Committee on Public Assets constituted a panel to hear from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, the Head of the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC), as well as representatives from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), Kaduna Polytechnic branch.
The sale of Kaduna Polytechnic houses was discussed and agreed upon, as directed by the Federal Government. There was no directive to alter the selling order as directed by the Federal Government. This refutes the claim that the Presidency has not approved the sale of Kadpoly houses. The statement of ASUP Chairman denying the Presidency’s approval of the sale of Kaduna Polytechnic houses to its staff is incorrect and defamatory towards the Presidency.
Meanwhile, the staff of Kaduna Polytechnic and the ASUP have not allowed the management to focus on developing, improving, and championing the repositioning of the institution due to allegations of sabotage related to the sale of the institution’s houses.
It is worth noting that Kaduna Polytechnic is not the first institution that sold its properties to its staff. ABU Zaria has sold its residential houses outside the campuses to the occupants. New Nigerian Newspapers, a Sardauna legacy, and other critical assets have also been leased and sold.
The Rector of the institution, Dr. Sulaiman Umar while speaking to journalists about a petition from some staff alleging that the polytechnic management was carving up and selling Kaduna Polytechnic property to outsiders, stated that the management successfully defended its actions before lawmakers. The Rector reiterated that the sale of the property was conducted in accordance with government guidelines. This statement comes as a relief to staff who had expressed concerns about potential disciplinary action following their petition.
Kaduna Polytechnic has reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability in all its operations, particularly in the sale of government property. The institution emphasizes that all transactions involving the sale of government assets follow a rigorous due process, ensuring fairness and compliance with relevant regulations.
Kaduna Polytechnic had a dedicated team responsible that oversaw the sale of the staff houses, the team worked closely with relevant authorities and Federal Government officials that ensured compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements. This includes conducting thorough valuations, following the leasing criteria of the properties for sale, and accepting bids from interested parties through a transparent and competitive process.
In 2022, following the approval of the sale and leasing of Kaduna Polytechnic houses, a letter of appreciation was sent on behalf of the staff of Kaduna Polytechnic. Signed by Adamson Cornelius, NASU chairman, and Ibrahim Abdulsalam Abubakar, SSANIP chairman, the letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, and the National Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the national president, Kaduna Polytechnic Alumni Association, the chairman, Governing Council, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, the secretary, PIC, Edo House, Abuja, the rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, the registrar, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, the national president, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) and the general secretary,
The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Ibadan, supported the idea of selling the properties to the bonafide staff of Kaduna Polytechnic, describing it as a welcome idea to help staff own their own homes. This indication disputed the allegation from some people that the leased houses of Kaduna Polytechnic were not sold to the staff, but rather that others sold their own houses to afford smaller ones hoping to relieve themselves of the burden of debt. This is one reason why non-staff members can be found living in Kaduna Polytechnic houses or on its land. Those who spread falsehoods and damage the reputation of Kaduna Polytechnic should reconsider their actions for the good of the Institution and the rule of law.
Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim, Goronyo is a staff of Kaduna Polytechnic, Department of Mass Communication. Sent article via Auwalgoronyo@gmail.com