ASUU To NITDA DG, Kashifu: Tell The Truth About UTAS Else…
- Says UTAS scores of 77% better than IPPIS
The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has threatened to initiate the process of withdrawing the degree certificate awarded to the Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) except and unless he opens up and tells the nation the truth about the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS).
This was contained in a statement by the ATBU branch of ASUU which was read by the branch the Chairman, Ibrahim Ibrahim Inuwa and Secretary, Muhammad Muhammad Inti at the end of the meeting of the Executive on Thursday in Bauchi.
The statement states; “The DG of NITDA is requested to retrace his steps and toe the path of truth and academic excellence for which the University (ATBU) had awarded him a degree.
“Failure of which the Union will be left with no option but to initiate the process of withdrawal of his degree certificate as an alumnus of ATBU, Bauchi.
“ASUU ATBU Bauchi is particularly sad that both the Minister of Communications, Isa Ali Pantami and the DG of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa are products of our prestigious University (ATBU), known for its high standards of learning and discipline.
“Consequently, ASUU-ATBU reminds the NITDA DG that the test on UTAS is a scientific procedure. We, therefore, urge you to allow a high sense of professionalism and ethics by NITDA Technical Team to prevail and not take instructions from above that can compromise the integrity of NITDA as an agency to certify homegrown software technologies,” it said.
The ATBU ASUU which stated these while reacting to claims by the NITDA DG that UTAS developed to replace the controversial IPPIS failed integrity, stressed that it was not surprised at the calculated attempt by agents of government particularly the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and DG, NITDA to kill UTAS, a robust home-grown technology suitable for the management of the University System.
According to ASUU: “The Director General (DG) of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa on March 9, 2022, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the prompting of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami made a claim that implied that the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) had failed integrity test, vulnerability test (security integrity), User Acceptance Test (UAT) and stress load test, as well as the hardware requirements.
“Both men had demonstrated severe nationalism deficiency syndrome in their dealings and handling of critical issues as it concerns their offices and position in government revealing how ill-equipped they are with the current status of public Universities in Nigeria.
“The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy should be able to separate his official responsibility from his personal interest. It is our hope that there is no attempt by the Minister and his agents to frustrate UTAS due to ASUUS’ principled stand on the failure of his appointment as a Professor by the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) to satisfy the laid down rules and regulations governing such appointment of the University,” ASUU ABTU branch said.
