Kogi poly lecturer not paid over one year dies

A lecturer at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Yakubu Nataala, facing desperate hardship following non-payment of his salaries well over one year, died at his residence in Lokoja on Sunday.

His associates told our correspondent that Mr Nataala slumped and died due to frustration arising from non-payment of his salaries.

“The last salary received by lecturers was in July 2017 and his inability to meet up with financial responsibilities must have led to his death,” Ashiru Sulaiman, a staff at the Polytechnic, said.

Another source, who asked not to be named, said the deceased sometimes last week complained about his financial situation.

“He told me he has failed in his responsibility both at home and everywhere,’ said the source. “He was sick but could not take care of himself. The sudden death was caused by unpaid salaries which did not permit him to have funds to take care of himself.”

The institution’s spokesman, Luke Tijan, confirmed that the deceased was among lecturers who have not received salaries for months.

He, however, debunked the claims by residents and students that the death was caused by non-payment of salaries.

“Yes, he was among lecturers that haven’t received salaries for months but his death came after he was operated for ruptured appendicitis,” the spokesperson said