The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, has commended both the Senior Staff Union and the Academic Staff Union of the University for their longstanding tradition of honoring deceased members by providing financial relief to their families.
This was contained in a statement signed by Sani Lawal maqarphy media aide to the VC issued to newsmen.
He was speaking during an occasion organised by both Unions that saw the presentation of relief cheques to families of deceased colleagues, with the Vice-Chancellor attending the events, first at the Dr. Suleiman Balarabe Senate Chamber with the Senior Staff Union, and later at the Academic Staff Union Secretariat.
Speaking at both gatherings, the respective Union Chairmen, Mal. Abdullahi Ibrahim and Dr. Ubale Isma’ila Alhaji, explained that the gesture is a tradition observed whenever a member passes away, where the families and close relatives are invited, commiserated and presented with cheques as a form of support.
They emphasized that the relief is not a compensation for service rendered nor part of the deceased’s estate to be shared; rather, it is a compassionate contribution strictly meant for the spouse(s) and children.
Prof. Bunkure expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, noting that such acts of solidarity strengthen the bond among members of the University community, acknowledging that no amount of money can compensate for their loss, but serves as a meaningful assistance to the families and a recognition of the services rendered by the deceased.
The Senior Staff Union, led by its Chairman, Mal. Abdullahi Ibrahim, presented cheques to the families of eight deceased members, including: Mr. Samson Bambuwai; Hayatuddeen Zubair, Bursary Department; Mrs. Cecilia Gambo Jonathan, Registry Department; Mrs. Esther Asabatu, Registry Department; Mr. Samson Gabriel Olawale, SERVICOM; Mal. Auwal Muhammad Da’u, Sports Unit; Ahmed Hamisu Muhammad, Safety Unit; and Mal. Suleiman Muhammad, Maintenance Department.
At the Academic Staff Union event, the Chairman, Dr. Ubale Isma’ila Alhaji, presented cheques to the families of nine deceased lecturers: Mrs. Chinyere Felicia Osob, CRS Department; Mrs. Esther David Pam, CCA Department; Mrs. Nwalozie Frances C., Igbo Department; Mal. Aminu Lawal, ECCE Department; Mrs. Saratu Ibrahim, Business Education Department; Mr. Emmanuel Dale Ali, Theatre Arts Department; Dr. Celina Ikanna Odiba, Integrated Science Department; Dr. Asaolu Taiwo Moses – Economics Department; and Dr. Umar Abdullah Dukuli, ISS Department.
On a final note, the Vice-Chancellor condoled with the families, while also thanking the unions for sustaining the tradition of providing relief to the bereaved.
