Education

BREAKING: ASUU Suspends Two-week Warning Strike

By Web News 467

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has announced the suspension of its ongoing two-week warning strike.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna, made this known in a press briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to report, Prof. Piwuna said, the decision stemmed from the meeting of the National Executive Council meeting which was held overnight and ended by 4:00 am on Wednesday.

He noted that, the union decided to embark on the strike due to the failure of the government to meet its demands on time.

“We’ve had useful engagements with representatives of the government to consider the response to the draft renegotiation of the 2009 agreements. However, we are definitely not where we were prior to the commencement of the strike.

“The union acknowledged that the government returned to the negotiation table. While noting that a lot more work is still required, NEC came to the conclusion that the ongoing strike should be reviewed. The decision to review the strike action was a result of efforts by our students, parents, and the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the efforts of well-meaning Nigerians.”

Recall that ASUU declared a total and comprehensive warning strike starting from Monday, October 13.

ASUU is currently demanding the conclusion of the renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement, the release of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalization of public universities, and cessation of the victimisation of lecturers in LASU, Prince Abubakar Audu University, and FUTO.

Others included; payment of outstanding 25-35% salary arrears, payment of promotion arrears for over four years and release of withheld third-party deductions (cooperative contributions, union check-off dues).

PUNCH/Taiwo Akinola

Education

NLC Gives FG 4 weeks to Address Education Sector Crisis

By Web News 231

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its affiliate unions in the education sector have issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to resolve all lingering issues affecting the sector, warning that failure to do so would trigger a nationwide workers’ action.

The NLC and the unions also declared a “no pay, no work” stance in response to the Federal Government’s “no work, no pay” policy following the ongoing two-week warning strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

Speaking after a joint meeting in Abuja on Monday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the unions had resolved to act as a united front to end the government’s persistent breach of agreements and neglect of the education sector.

Mr Ajaero said the unions involved include the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, National Association of Academic Technologists , NAAT, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, SSANIP, Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, ASURI, and the College of Education Staff Union, COESU, among others.

 “The NLC, after extensive deliberation with the unions in the tertiary institutions on finding solutions to the perennial problems in that sector, has resolved to work with the unions to find a lasting solution to the issues they have been facing all these years,” Ajaero said.

He noted that, the unions agreed to establish a framework for engagement on the implementation of existing agreements, sustainable funding of education in line with UNESCO’s 25–26% budgetary recommendation, and the review of wage structures and allowances for academic and non-academic staff.
“We discovered that those government officials sent to meetings often go there without mandates.

Henceforth, no trade union, whether in tertiary institutions or elsewhere, will go into any meeting with government representatives who lack authority to make binding commitments. You go and finish a negotiation, sign an agreement, and then go back to renege — never again,” he declared.

The NLC President explained that a coordinated team would be established to launch a national campaign for education reform and accountability, saying “We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU, but the problem goes beyond one union. All other unions are equally involved.

“If after four weeks this negotiation is not concluded, the organs of the NLC will meet and take a nationwide action involving all workers and all unions in the country so that we get to the root of this crisis.”

Rejecting the government’s “no work, no pay” policy, Ajaero maintained that the unions would respond in kind.

“The so-called policy of no work, no pay should henceforth be no pay, no work. You can’t benefit from an action you instigated. We discovered that 90% of strikes in this country are caused by failure to obey agreements,” he said.

“You can’t refuse to honour agreements and then punish the other party. It’s a matter of cause and effect — those who cause the problem should bear the consequences. You can’t beat the child and ask the child not to cry.”

With this declaration, Nigeria’s labour movement appears poised for a major showdown with the federal government unless concrete action is taken to address the lingering crisis in the nation’s education sector.

Vanguard/Taiwo Akinola

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Education

ASUU Elects Piwuna as New President

By Web News 109

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has elected a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, Professor Chris Piwuna, as its new president.

Piwuna, also the Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Jos, takes over from Victor Osodeke, a Professor of Soil Science from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State.

The decision was taken at the 23rd National Delegates Congress of the Union, which took place in Benin on Sunday.

According to verified sources familiar with the development, the election was contested between Professor Piwuna and Professor Adamu Babayo from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.

Piwuna’s assumption of office comes amidst widespread speculations of industrial action following issues surrounding the sharing formula of the Earned Academic Allowances recently released by the Federal Government of Nigeria, brain drain, among others.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Education

Honour 2020 ASUU-FG Agreement – Prof. Akinwole charges FG

By Web News 293

By Olawale Asake

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has called on the Federal Government to honour its demand of 2020 ASUU-FGN Memorandum of Action, MoA, which stressed the need to review the Nigerian Universities Commission, NUC Act to make the commission more potent in addressing the excessive establishment of universities in Nigeria.

Chairman of the Union, University of Ibadan Branch, Professor Ayoola Akinwole made this known during the Town Hall meeting of Stakeholders in Education and parents as well as the students of the institution held at the New ASUU Secretariat, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Professor Akinwole who said, the matter of proliferation of public universities had been one of the issues that led to series of strike between 2020 and 2022, maintained that federal and state governments continued to create universities without preparation for their funding.

The ASUU chairman also added that the federal government should fulfill its promise to remove ASUU members from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, and implement the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, UTAS, which he said had passed all the credibility tests by the appropriate agency of government.

“We are, however, worried that the grip of IPPIS on the universities is far from being eased, more than seven months after the government publicly announced exiting universities and other tertiary institutions from the discredited payment platform, salaries of workers in federal universities and other tertiary institutions are still being paid with the discredited IPPIS platform”, he lamented.

Professor Akinwole also mentioned other demands to include, the logical conclusion of the renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, reinstatement of governing councils in federal and state universities, release of the three and half months of the withheld salaries and release of third-party deductions.

Others are payment of Earned Academic Allowances, EAA, implementation of the reports of the Visitation Panels, release of unpaid salaries of staff on sabbatical due to IPPIS, and funding for the revitalisation of Public Universities based on the FGN-ASUU MoU of 2012, 2013 and the MoA of 2017.

Professor Akinwole urged Nigerians to hold the federal government responsible should the union declare fresh industrial action.

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Education

ASUU Issues Warning to FG over Promotion Arrears

By Web News 518

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, following a National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Maiduguri has asked the Federal Government through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to release outstanding promotion arrears owed its members in the interest of industrial peace and harmony in Nigerian universities.

The ASUU in a statement released on Thursday morning said it was also disturbed by the news of employment racketeering perpetrated through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.

The statement reads, “NEC noted with serious concern that ASUU members are currently owed several months of promotion arrears arising from distortions traceable to the forceful enrollment of academics on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information platform. NEC observed that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation has failed to address the issue despite several efforts by the union and university administrations.

“Consequently, ASUU calls on the OAGF to ensure the immediate release of the backlog of promotion arrears to our members in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.

“NEC was disturbed by reports of massive employment racketeering perpetuated by operators of the discredited IPPIS, including scandalous revelations at the recent sittings of House of Representatives’ Probe Panel on IPPIS. NEC observed that the unsavoury trend has eroded university employment tradition in violation of the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2003, and Guidelines for Appointments and Promotions of individual universities. ASUU rejects all illegal appointments sponsored by the IPPIS and its agents in Nigerian public universities.”

Details later.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Labour

Let Masses Breath, NLC to Tinubu

By Web News 337

By Adenitan Akinola 

The Osun State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Coalition of Civil Societies in Osun State protested the removal of fuel subsidy and the economy hardship Nigerians have been subjected to.

The protest which began at the Freedom Park Osogbo moved to the Olaiya flyover where members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU National Union of Electricity Employees and Civil Society Organisations and the Nigerian Union of Journalists addresses the people.

The protesting workers further moved down to Aregbe area, Ogo-Oluwa and Abere axis of the town, chatting solidarity songs.

There was heavy presence of security personnel in some strategic locations within the metropolis including Old garage, Ayetoro, Ogo-Oluwa, the State secretariat at Abere.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions “Tinubu stop suffocating us”, “Let the poor breath”, “Join the NLC to end suffering” among others.

It was the position of the protesters that government had the responsibility to fix the refineries, build new once so as to make petrol and other crude oil resources available at affordable rates for the masses of Nigeria.

In a leaflet by the Joint Action Front, JAF signed it’s chairman and former ASUU National President, Dr Dipo Fashina, Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu which circulated at the rally, the organization listed five points of demands including “total reversal of the capitalist policies of privatization and deregulation, which has been responsible for non-functioning of local refineries, looting by government officials and fuel marketers through fuel importation and the subsidies’ fraud.”

JAF also insists “that Government, in obedience to section 16 of the 1999 constitution on Economic Objectives, should respect then provisions, which states that the economic system is not operated in such manner as to permit the concentration of wealth, or means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group.”

It’s also calls for “Unconditional implementation of a new National Minimum Living Wage across board and payment of all outstanding allowances and arrears to all categories of public and private employments”

Also, the Chairman of the Osun State Coalition of Civil Societies, Comrade Waheed Lawal, called on Nigerians to resist the increase in fuel prices, electricity tariff and increase in tuition fees.

He said, “we thought we voted for people that will make life meaningful for us, but alas, they made things difficult. As it is now, all of us must come out and let them know that we are not happy with the present situation in the country. This suffering must stop, we must not keep quiet.”

Dr. Olaosebikan Wehinde, the ASUU chairman Union, Uniosun branch, called for the abolition of all the anti-masses policies of the Federal Government

He also said the Federal Government should pay ASUU members their salaries.

“We are saying enough to incessant petroleum price hikes. We are saying enough to insecurity. We are saying enough to corruption, we are saying enough to commercialization of education. Nigeria masses are saying enough to abuse of power, we are saying enough to poor workers wages.

“Politics in Nigeria should be demonitised, we are saying enough is enough to all policies that are bringing suffering to the masses, policies that are capable of dividing Nigeria into different factions. We are here today to communicate to Nigeria government that the masses are suffering.”

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Education

NANS Decries Tuition Hike, Threatens Protest

By Web News 334

The National Association of Nigerian Students has condemned the planned increment of school fees by tertiary institutions in the country.

In a statement signed by the National PRO, Giwa Temitope and released on Saturday, NANS declared that the government’s action is “insensitive” and “embarrassing”.

The association also stressed that the government has what it takes to fund education and make it accessible, noting that the introduction of the student loan scheme is a sham and a bait to make Nigerians accept fee increments.

The association stated that there is no justification for an increase in school fees across tertiary institutions and Unity schools.

It demanded that the increase in school fees should be suspended, adding that those who have implemented the policy should reverse it immediately.

“We must state categorically that there is no justification for increment in school fees across our tertiary institutions and even Unity schools. Our demand is clear and simple; the attempt to increase school fees must be suspended. And, those that have floated it must reverse it with immediate effect.”

NANS also called on Nigerian students to prepare for an all-round protest until the Federal Government reverses the policy, similar to the one during the prolonged ASUU strike.

“We call on Nigerian students to brace up and be prepared for an all-round protest as was done during the prolonged ASUU strike until the Federal Government reverses this policy.

“The increment of school fees at UNILAG and the planned increment across tertiary institutions in the country has shown this administration to be a very insensitive one.

“As a matter of fact, it is most ridiculous and embarrassing that the government will be introducing fees increment without thinking of rescuing over 133 million Nigerian people from multidimensional poverty.

“Increment in fees across tertiary institutions will only complicate the poverty situation of the country and also increase the number of out-of-school children.

“As an association, we believe that the Nigerian government has what it takes to massively fund education and make it accessible. In fact, the student loan that was introduced by the Federal Government is nothing but a sham and bait to lure the Nigerian people into accepting increments in fees payable.

“Beyond the fact that the terms of the loan are ridiculous, history has taught us that not every applicant will be considered. And, even if all of them were to be considered, it still does not justify an increment in an economy that tops the unemployment index. Rather than give loans, the government must provide grants and scholarships for students.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Labour

NLC Notifies ASUU, JUSUN, Other Affiliates ahead of Strike

By Web News 491

The Nigeria Labour Congress has written all its 43 affiliate unions to mobilise for a scheduled industrial action primed to begin on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, The PUNCH reports.

The strike follows the increment in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit. Some of the affiliates of the NLC include – the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives among others.

In a letter written to the affiliates which was signed by the NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the Congress said, “We bring you greetings from the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress. You will recall that arising from the National Executive Council meeting held on 2nd June 2023, it was decided that Congress will embark on a nationwide action and withdrawal of services, against the fraudulent increase in the prices of fuel across the thirty-six states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the FCT.

“Please be informed that the nationwide action will commence on Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. To this effect, all National Leadership are expected to mobilise their members for the action and ensure full compliance with the directives as services in both the public and private sector are expected to be fully withdrawn by Wednesday, 7th June, 2023. All Presidents and General Secretaries are expected to help ensure the implementation of the decisions of the National Executive Council,” the NLC remarked.

The PUNCH had reported that on Monday, during his inaugural speech at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the President, Bola Tinubu declared that the era of subsidy payment on fuel has ended.

Tinubu had also disclosed that the 2023 budget did not make provision for fuel subsidy as such, further payment is no longer justifiable.

“The fuel subsidy is gone,” Tinubu had declared, adding that his government would instead channel funds into infrastructure and other areas to strengthen the economy.

The presidential pronouncement led to an instant resurgence of fuel queues across the country, with Nigerians lamenting the sharp increase in the price of petrol at the various filling stations.

Although Tinubu’s decision received backing from the NNPCL and the House of Representatives, it has since been resisted by the NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

The organised labour has insisted that the President cannot unilaterally take a decision on subsidy removal.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Education

ASUU Rejects Plans to Increase Tuition in Public University

By Web News 514

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) opposes plans by the government to raise the tuition costs associated with receiving a university education.

According to ASUU, this move could put higher education out of reach for economically disadvantaged students.

The Union also expressed concern about what it calls “the government’s systematic withdrawal from funding public universities through the proposed introduction of education loans,” which it claims has been a complete failure in countries where it has been implemented.

Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, National President of ASUU, said in a statement on Monday that the resolutions were reached at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the University of Calabar.

Professor Osodeke drew Nigerians’ attention to the lingering issue of renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, which he said was the initial issue that led to the recently suspended strike, and added that what was more concerning was the government’s increasing “anti-labour” posture, which suggested attempts to abrogate the principle of the collective bargaining agreement.

According to Professor Osodeke, the NEC rejected the government’s insistence on handing down an award rather than a bargained salary package.

‘’The meeting also reviewed and condemned the government’s attempt to casualize the job of intellectuals, as reflected in the pro-rated salaries paid to our members for the month of October 2022, as well as the continued withholding of our members’ salaries for the preceding 8 months, even when the backlog of work is being covered by our members in various universities’’ he stated.

ASUU wants Nigerians to put pressure on the government to take care of unfinished business in the FGN-ASUU Memorandum of Action for December 2020.

FRCN Abuja / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Lifestyle

FG needs to address its issues with ASUU – Dr Ajala

By Web News 897

To prevent a repeat of the protracted industrial action by the federal university lecturers, the federal government has been admonished to urgently address lingering issues with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

Outgoing international president of Ibadan Varsity Christian Union Alumni Fellowship, IVCUAF, Dr Emmanuel Ajala stated this while presenting a communique of the association on the state of the nation to newsmen in Ibadan.

Dr Ajala who lamented the no-work-no-pay policy of the federal government during the eight months strike by the university lecturers, said education of Nigerian future generations was taken for granted despite the role of education plays in national development.

Speaking on the security situation in the country, he emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in the approach to the security challenges bedeviling the nation.

On the 2023 general election, the former IVCUAF president urged Nigerians to enthrone credible and visionary leaders through active participation in the electoral process.

Dr Ajala explained that Nigeria yearns for right leaders who he described as the gates of leadership.

He noted that the disposition of the leaders to those who are unpatriotic while administering the nation’s resources would in no small measure affect the progress of Nigeria, hence the need to ensure right leaders are given the privilege to direct the affairs of Nigeria in 2023.

High point of the event was the nomination of new executives that will steer the affairs of the body for the next two years.

Ibadan Varsity Christian Union has existed for 62 years and through the years, the IVCUAF has greatly influenced the nation’s academic, professional and socio-political milieu aside from her impact in Christian circles worldwide.

The body has continued to produce men and women who are not only ambassadors for Christ, but have also made a mark in their chosen careers and professions, both nationally and internationally.

Rotimi Famakin

Education

ASUU! STRIKE!! SALARY!!!

By Web News 606

Listen to Mid-week Cruise on The Southwest Network of Radio at 9:00 am today on

Ibadan Premier 93.5fm, Akure Positive 102.5fm, Ilesa Gold 95.5fm, Abeokuta Paramount 94.5fm, Ado Ekiti Progress 100.5fm, Or watch & listen live, On Facebook – Premier fm93.5.

Taiwo Akinola

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Education

Reactions Trail Suspension of Strike by ASUU

By Web News 579

Some students and business operators at the University of Ibadan have reacted to the eight monthly strikes suspended by the University striking lecturers.

A Master Student of Microbiology, Ridwan Adeagbo, 500 Level Student of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Dorcas Kayode and a 600 Level student of Veterinary Medicine, Joshua Akinniyi said the strike should have been called off rather than being suspended.

The students, who said they were ready for academic work, however, lamented the delay, saying they were not morally and mentally motivated for academic stress as their academic calendars had been affected.

Two business operators in the institution, Mr Christian John and Segun Oke said the suspension of the strike represented the restoration of their business activities.

They urged the government to urgently do the needful to forestall a repeat of the strike by the lecturers.

When contacted, the Chairman, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, U.I Chapter, Mr Abiodun Omisore said the union had some local issues yet to be resolved.

Mr Omisore added that his members would join their counterparts in the academia, the moment lingering issues affecting SSANU are resolved.

Radio Nigeria however, observed that none of the ASUU executive members in the University was on the ground for an interview.

Aside from classrooms that were still under lock, students’ halls of residence were empty while grown bushes were visible in and around the campus.

Rotimi Famakin

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Education

Relief for Students as ASUU Suspends Strike

By Web News 420

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has suspended its eight-month-old strike.

The decision was taken at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, NEC held at ASUU national secretariat in Abuja .

ASUU Chairman, University of Abuja chapter, Professor Kasim Umar who confirmed the suspension to our correspondent said the Union’s president, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke would brief the press on details of the suspension.

The ASUU NEC meeting which started Thursday night lasted till the early hours of Friday.

Daniel Adejo

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Education

ASUU’s NEC Determines Decision at Branch Level – UI Chairman

By Web News 660

Nigerians have been baring their mind on the assurance by the Speaker, the Federal House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila and the National President, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU that the lingering strike would come to an end within days.

The assurance followed recent intervention by the Lower Chamber on the crises and unresolved judicial involvement in the conflict.

Reacting to the statements, some residents of Ibadan, including Mr Isiaq Abdulkabiru described the position of the two bodies as a welcome development.

They appealed to ASUU and the Federal Government to consider the plights of students and restore the dead academic activities on the nation’s campuses.

Meanwhile, the ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Ayoola Akinwole, in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan, has described the general opinion on the Union’s plans to call off the eight months strike as mere speculation.

Professor Akinwole said ASUU members were awaiting the outcome of the National Executive Council’s meeting before any decision could be taken at the branch level.

The ASUU strike which commenced on 14th February this year marks eight months old this Friday 14th October 2022. 

Rotimi Famakin

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Education

Resume Work Immediately, Appeal Court Tells ASUU

By Web News 445

The court of appeal in Abuja has ordered the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to call off its industrial strike action and to return to work immediately. 

The appellate court gave the order in a ruling on an application filed by the ASUU seeking permission for it to appeal against the order of the National Industrial Court which asked the striking lecturers to resume duty. 

The industrial court had on September 21, granted an interlocutory order following an application to that effect by the Federal Government, ordering university lecturers to return to work pending the resolution of their dispute with the government.

Not satisfied with the outcome, ASUU had through its counsel, Femi Falana SAN headed to the appellate court to seek redress.

At the Appeal Court, ASUU filed an application dated September 28, seeking the leave of court to file an appeal against the industrial court order. 

But in its ruling, the Court of Appeal which granted ASUU conditional leave to appeal the order of the Industrial Court, insisted that ASUU must obey the order of the lower court with effect from today, October 7. 

The 3-man panel led by Justice Hamman Barka said for ASUU to file its notice of appeal within 7 days, it must show evidence that its members had resumed work on October 7.

The panel unanimously held that Failure to adhere to the order would make the appeal incompetent before the Court of Appeal.

Ifeoma Nwovu

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Education

ASUU Strike: Citizens Lament Grounded Businesses, Academic Activities

By Web News 690

One of the items of the sustainable development goals is access to quality education.

In Nigeria at present however , over  7 months ASUU strike has destabilized the school’s academic calendar and also crippled business activities around varsities.

The 7months plus strike did not only affect business activities, academic calendar has been destabilized for the past few months.  

According to a business owner around the Federal University of Technology FUTA  Akure Mrs Oluwakemi Sanya said she suffered a monumental loss  with the ongoing strike with about  50% low sales of her goods.

Another trader, Mrs Bola Akomolafe said many business areas on campuses had grown bushes, even as edible products worth millions of naira had been destroyed due to the unending strike.

Stories of students were quite different from the scenario portrayed by the business owners as the students claimed they diverted their energies into profitable or worthwhile ventures as revealed by  a 200 level political science student of the university of Ibadan ,Abdul Rahman Adebayo.

“I currently work as freelance reporter since the ASUU strike 7months ago,it is so pathetic that tertiary institutions can be shut when there is no pandemic or war Abdulraham Adebayo said “

Similarly ,his countertpart in the Usman Dan fodio University sokoto ,Abdul malik sufurullaahi said that the strike was  affecting his mental health  considering the fact this education had now been put on hold as a final year student 

A visually impaired young man ,Oyediran Emmanuel from the university of Lagos  disclosed that he had engaged as volunteer to civil society organisations  to keep body and  soul  together .

Other students who spoke Oluwatuase Olatomiwa of the Olusegun Agagu university of science and technology Okitipupa,Ondo state ,Alofe Faith ,Obafemi Awolowo university Ile Ife ,Ewuje precious and peace oladipo of the federal university Oye Ekiti  however called for a compromise between government and ASUU for the schools to reopen for the future of the nations education system.

In a submission ,a university lecturer , Dr Gbenga Abimbola expressed displeasure with the poor handling of university education by government due to poor and outdated policies that endanger the country’s education system.

Dr Abimbola called for a synergy between government and ASUU to put an end to the ongoing strike.

Olufisoye Akinola

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Education

FG Withdraws Order to Re-open Varsities

By Web News 545

The Federal Government, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), on Monday afternoon withdrew a circular directing the reopening of federal public universities.

The directive was given to Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils to re-open Federal Universities.

The government had in a circular tagged NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 addressed to all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities, ordering them to re-open universities.

FG to VCs: Reopen Schools

The circular was signed by the Director, Finance and Account of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof Abubakar Rasheed.

However, in another circular tagged NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136 which was also signed by the Director, finance and account of the NUC, Onazi, the commission withdrew the order.

No reason was given for the sudden withdrawal of the circular.

The Nation/Olaolu Fawole

Education

FG to VCs: Reopen Schools

By Web News 464 Post a comment

The Federal Government has ordered the vice-chancellors of universities to re-open schools and allow students resume lectures.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has been on strike for about seven months now.

Recall that the federal government went to court to challenge the action of the association. Last week the national industrial court through Polycarp Hamman, the judge in the NIC, granted the federal government’s application for an interlocutory injunction to restrain ASUU from continuing with the strike.

The outcome of the judgement was questioned by Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who stated that the national industrial court does not have jurisdiction to rule on the case between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

However, tired of the lingering strike the Federal Government through the National Universities Commission ordered vice-chancellors to re-open schools and allow students resume lectures.

In a letter disclosed to journalists on Monday, signed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed, FG instructed all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities to re-open schools.

“Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses”, part of the letter read.

Punch/Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Politics

NIG@62: There is hope for the country – Makinde

By Web News 518

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde said Nigerians should cast their votes in defence of good governance during the forthcoming general elections in 2023.

Governor Makinde, who stated this while speaking at the Special thanksgiving church service to commemorate Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary, held at the Cathedral of St. Peters, Aremo, Ibadan, said that Nigerians need to keep hope alive as according to him, there is light at the end of the current dark alley in the country.

He urged the people to keep hope alive and be steadfast in their prayers for the nation.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, stated that despite the series of challenges the country is witnessing, the people need not lose hope.

The governor added that aside the rise in crimes and criminality, the country is also burdened by economic difficulties, which he said appears to defy social-scientific prognosis.

He stated:”A peep at the front cover of any of the national dailies published in Nigeria easily portrays a country in dire straits.

“But our message today is that of hope.

“That there is light at the end of the dark alley and like Moses confidently declared to the children of Israel in Exodus 14: 13, the Egyptians whom we see today, we shall see no more forever, Amen.”

He said that Oyo State has, however, been able to stay afloat despite taking its share of the national crisis. 

He said: “But here we have chosen to ride the storm through the faithful implementation of the Poverty to Posterity mantra of this administration.

“In line with our dedication to rise above the national tide, this administration launched the Roadmap for Accelerated Development of Oyo State, 2019 to 2023 immediately we assumed office on May 29. 2019.

” And with the religious implementation of the four-point service delivery agenda encapsulated by the roadmap, we isolated the four key existential realities of human beings including Security, Health, Education, and Economic expansion, using the agribusiness value chain.

“Without Security, life is hellish; without good Health, life is gloomy; without Education, life is in despair and without a good Economic prospect, life is melancholic.

“Thus, our state set sail with well-grounded policies that yielded 100 well-equipped security vehicles for security agencies within 100 days in office; creation of community policing initiatives and the Amotekun corps;  turn-around of State

 “The result of the carefully welded service delivery programme, e capsulated in the Four-point service agenda, is the positive outcomes being witnessed in the state today.

“Ibadan, the State capital has been ranked as the second fastest growing city in Africa, according to a rating by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).’

“Cities and zones of the state are being linked with brand new roads, a Light-Up Oyo Project covering over 200 kilometres of roads across the state is up and running, while we have equally turned around the skyline of the state with projects such as the bus terminals, remodeled stadia, and others.

“As our people go to the polls in February and March 2023, I can only urge you to cast your votes in defence of good governance and service delivery.”

In his sermon, Bishop of Ibadan North Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, urged Nigerians to always be their brothers ‘keeper

He called on those in positions of power and authority to use their positions to uplift the less privileged people in society.  

He also decried the worsening insecurity and economic challenges in the country.

According to him, the development is due to the lack of capacity of those at the helm of affairs.

Aladekugbe urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their issues and end the strike without further delay.

He stated that the strike was seriously affecting the entire teaching and learning system among students and their lecturers across the country.

The Clergyman commended the Governor Makinde-led administration for the regular payment of the workers’ salary as and when due, adding that the series of infrastructural projects being undertaken by the current administration in Oyo State are visible across the nooks and crannies of the state.

He later prayed for the success of the administration in its bid to develop the state further.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Education

Students Ground Lagos Airports over ASUU Strike

By Web News 518

Vehicular movement is at a stand-still at both the local and international airports in Lagos as the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS protest the continued stay at home of students due to the Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU strike.

All the access roads into the airports have been condoned off by the students around the hajj and cargo terminal, and the road leading into the International airport terminal.

They defied the morning rain, chanting solidarity songs to register their anger over the failure of the Federal Government and ASUU to reach a truce on the demands of the lecturers.

The once busy airport roads and toll gates are deserted, and the usual hustle and bustle that characterized the airport environment was absent.

Staff and workers of the various agencies and companies at the airport cannot access their offices, and students of the airport secondary school are also affected.

Many air passengers are currently stranded on the roads.

Security agencies, the police, Civil Defense corps are on the ground to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

Currently, the once chaotic traffic situation on Mondays in the Lagos metropolis has been compounded by the protest as it has extended to the Ajao Estate area to Oshodi, the local airport to Ikeja under the bridge, and the Agege motor road, spilling over to other roads linked to these areas.

Nosa Aituamen

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Education

FG’s Suit against ASUU Adjourned till Friday

By Web News 401

The suit against the Academic Staff Union of Universities which was filed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has been adjourned,

The matter came up before Justice Polycarp Hamman of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja.

The Federal Government on Monday urged the National Industrial Court to order ASUU to call off its seven months strike.

Joined as a claimant in the matter is the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, with the President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, as the sole defendant.

When the matter slated for mention came up, human rights activist, Ebunolu Adegoruwa, SAN, informed the court that he was representing the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and that he had filed a suit on the same subject matter before the same court.

He also stated that in the suit NICN/ABJ/269/2022, SERAP was the claimant with the Federal Government as the defendant.

He, therefore, proceeded to apply that the extant suit be consolidated and SERAP be joined in the suit as a defendant, instead of multiple suits on the same matter before the same court.

Counsel to the claimant, Mr T.A Gazali, SAN, in response, said the application was premature and added that there was no need for SERAP to pray to be joined in a suit, orally, in a matter that did not have its name on the cause list.

Mr Femi Falana, SAN, counsel to ASUU, in his response, informed the court that both counsel had informed him on Monday that they were both filing some papers.

Falana, in addition, urged the court to step down the matter to enable both counsel to file their papers and then return at a later date after which he would have responded to the claimant’s process.

Adegoruwa replied that the defendant had not denied the existence of the suit SERAP filed and served on them.

Gazali, on his part, also informed the court that his process would be filed Monday, and Falana said he would need three days to reply to the process.

The judge, in his ruling, adjourned the matter until Friday, for further mention.

He also directed that the claimant should file, serve his process, and the defendant to also file and serve his response before the adjourned date.

Hamman, in addition, ruled that SERAP’s application to be joined in the suit was premature.

The suit filed by the claimant is also seeking the court to give the matter an accelerated hearing in order to bring the dispute to an end.

The claimant, also, in the instrument of referral, is praying the court to: “Inquire into the legality or otherwise of the on-going prolonged strike by ASUU leadership and members which had continued even after apprehension by the Minister of Labour and Employment.

“Interpret in its entirety the provisions of Section 18, LFN 2004 especially as it applies to the cessation of strike once a trade dispute is apprehended by the Minister of Labour end Employment and conciliation is on-going”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Education

Strike: ASUU’s NEC to Meet by 4PM

By Web News 527

The National Executive Council, NEC, of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU will commence its meeting by 4pm Today.

The NEC is the highest decision-making body of ASUU.

The outcome of the NEC meeting will determine whether ASUU will call off its strike which began on Monday, February 14, 2022.

A member of the NEC who confirmed this to The Punch on Sunday said, “The meeting will start by 4 pm”.

ASUU had last week directed its zones and branches to organise congresses following the deadlocked meeting between the union and representatives of the Federal Government.

Some students who spoke to our correspondent expressed fears at the possibility of an indefinite strike.

A student of the University of Ilorin, Tajudeen Sanusi said, “I don’t even want to think about it. I am scared and the idea of an indefinite strike doesn’t speak well to me at all. I am still optimistic though”

Another student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ifeoma Orji, said, “The past six to seven months have been depressing enough for me. I don’t even know what to do at the moment. I am in my final year, the thought of an indefinite strike alone is killing me. We are still hoping that the federal government and ASUU will find a common ground.”

Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

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Education

Gov. Abiodun Inaugurates Boards for State-Owned Tertiary Institutions

By Web News 490

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has inaugurated the chairmen of the governing councils of the state-owned tertiary institutions with an appeal to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to find a lasting solution to the protracted strike by the university lecturers.

Inaugurating the Governing Councils and Members of the Library Board at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun said the strike had left a huge gap not only in the education sector but in other sectors of the nation’s economy.

While urging the governing councils to ensure that the management of the institutions were in tandem with the developmental needs of the state, the governor stressed the need for governing councils to always offer quality advice to the government.

Governor Abiodun who pointed out that the Teaching Service Commission had started compiling the names of the state’s teaching and non-teaching staff for the year 2021/2022 promotion exercises, announced that his administration had also approved Education Intervention Fund.

Responding on behalf of the governing councils, the Pro-Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Toyin Ashiru, promised that the governing councils would justify the confidence reposed in them.

Professor Ashiru also gave the assurance that the governing councils would reinvigorate internally generated revenue in all state-owned tertiary institutions to reduce the financial burden on the government.

Bolanle Adesida

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Education

578-Day Strikes: Angry Lecturers Dumping Varsities- ASUU President

By Web News 517

Academic Staff Union of Universities has raised the alarm over the exodus of lecturers from the nation’s universities for greener pastures abroad.

The union attributed the development to the Federal Government’s poor treatment of its members which it said had forced many to venture into other sources of livelihood.

National President, ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented that many lecturers had taken to farming and other economic activities, while a large number had left the country.

Osodeke spoke in reaction to the government’s refusal to meet some of their demands, including the payment of seven months’ backlog of salaries accrued during the strike.

The union had embarked on four strikes totaling 578 days under the Muhammadu Buhari regime. The current strike by ASUU started on February 14, 2022, and entered its day 188 on Monday.

In 2017, the union went on strike for 30 days; in 2018, the lecturers shunned work for 90 days while in 2020, the public universities were shut down for 270 days.

 ASUU accused the government of failing to release the revitalization funds for universities; failure to deploy the University Transparency Accountability System for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers.

ASUU had also demanded the release of earned allowances for its members; release of the whitepaper report of visitation panels to universities and renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/2009 agreement.

Speaking on the mass exile of lecturers from the university system, Osodeke stated, “So many lecturers are leaving to engage in farming and others; lecturers are tired of the treatment they’re receiving from the government and because of this, they are looking for alternatives.  So many more will leave even after the strike too.

“I pity the country; Nigeria will be the loser for it.  Instead of coming to the table; look at how they will solve the issue, rather, they believe in punishing lecturers. It’s so sad. Your lecturers went on strike, you believe they will become hungry and come back to beg. Many lecturers will also leave to venture into other areas; some are also looking at becoming self-employed.”

The ASUU Chairman, University of Lagos branch, Dr Dele Ashiru, revealed that more than 70 percent of the brightest brains in academia had left the country, adding that the government had been so disrespectful and insensitive to the scholars.

“The impact of the government’s insensitivity and deployment of the weapon of hunger might not be immediately known until after the strike. As I speak with you, more than 70 percent of bright and promising young academics retained by the university through mentorship have all left the country for greener pastures due to the poor conditions of service in Nigeria.

‘’Those that are left are on the verge of leaving. No government in the history of Nigeria has been so insensitive, brash and disrespectful of the best brains in the country. This is unfortunate and a shame,’’ the don lamented.

Ashiru, in an interview with Arise TV, said the union was not going to call off its strike action as done by the other academic unions.

He said, “ASUU is a union of intellectuals, we don’t look at what others do to make our decisions. We make our decisions based on verifiable facts and the facts available to us have not shown this government to be a responsible and sensible one.”

Corroborating his colleague, the Chairperson of ASUU, University of Uyo chapter, Dr Happiness Uduk, confirmed to one of our correspondents that some lecturers had left the system.

She said, however, that she could not specify how many of them had already left UNIUYO.

She stated, “I cannot tell you how many there are because I am not sure about it. But I don’t think what is happening in other universities is different from ours. It is true that people are getting opportunities and leaving the system; we have heard about people who have left already.”

It was also learnt that some lecturers at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, had similarly resigned and relocated abroad.

The Chairman of the ASUU chapter of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr Adeola Egbedokun, said the number of his members that had left since the strike commenced was not known yet.

Egbedokun, however, declared that he would encourage those who desired to leave to do so because of the Federal Government’s poor handling of education.

He added, “It is impossible for us to know until school reopens. That is when we can know because no one will give us notice that he or she is leaving. It is the university that would be notified, not the union.’’

“But I will encourage as many people as possible that want to move on, to move on. That is the reality. Nigeria has been plunged into the mud. I have never seen this kind of callousness in my life,” Egbedokun concluded.

One of our correspondents in Abeokuta gathered that two lecturers had officially resigned from the OOU while several had left FUNAAB and relocated abroad.

The Chairman, ASUU FUNAAB, Dr Gbenga Adeleye, said he did not know the number of lecturers who had resigned or relocated.

But a union leader in FUNAAB, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many lecturers had left the university and relocated abroad.

The source further said a particular college in the university had almost become empty as a result of the development.

He said “I know that some of our colleagues have left’’, Some of them would say they want to go and meet their families for holidays, but we know that they will not come back.

“I can confirm to you that most people leaving often take permission that they want to go for holidays. However, they’ll not return. It’s not official because some of them go under the guise that they are coming back.”

Confirming the situation, the ASUU Chairman at OOU,  Joel Okewale, disclosed that two lecturers had resigned from the institution.

“I know about two or three of our colleagues that have relocated from my own end here; I don’t know of any other person.

“I also know of one who is having a little challenge in giving due notice in his resignation, but I don’t know the update. We are having a congress tomorrow (today), if there are other people, I will have an idea.”

The Chairman ASUU at the Federal University of Technology, Akure,  Professor Oluyinka Awopetu, when contacted,  said, “There, of course, are lecturers that are traveling out of the country in pursuance of further qualifications.”

“It is extremely impossible to authoritatively say they abandoned the profession. Others sought way of coping in this difficult and trying time as well. One may not be able to say if they are coming back or not! If you were in their shoes and you find a better opportunity, what will you do please?

On his part, the ASUU leader at the University of Nigeria, Christian Opata, said some lecturers were pursuing other means of livelihood.

 He said, “I’m not aware of any for now. What I can say authoritatively is that many used this strike to find new means of making money by establishing new lines of business. I know of two people who are loaning money to members without interest. They made millions (of naira) through tomatoes, yellow pepper, and maize farming.’’

Meanwhile, the leaders of Nigerian students under the aegis of the Council of Student’s Union Presidents have vowed to sue the FG over the prolonged strike by ASUU members.

The SUG President of the University of Jos, Joshua Adankala, disclosed this in an interview in Jos.

Adaka said “We are planning to take them (FG and the ministers of education; labour and employment and others) to court. The court action has become imperative because we can’t take the continued strike anymore.”

The CSUPs which comprised the student’s union governments in over 100 universities in Nigeria, in the first week of August, stormed Abuja where they lamented the continuous loss of students to incessant killing from bandits’ attacks as a result of their prolonged stay at home caused by the strike.

The president, of the National Association of Nigeria Students, Sunday Asefon, said the association was still holding talks with its legal team after which it would decide the next line of action.

The education minister last Thursday asked students affected by the ASUU strike to sue the union for liabilities suffered as a result of the industrial action.

But giving an update on NANS’ decision to take the government to court on Sunday, Asefon said they were still consulting with their legal team.

The Students’ Union President of the University of Ibadan, Adewole Adeyinka, spoke on the plan to sue the government.

“We are concluding on this by this week. We are holding a meeting with some stakeholders in Abuja this week but we won’t disclose their identities now,” the student leader said

Punch/Adetutu Adetule

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Parenting Tips

ASUU Strike; A Note of Caution for Parents

By Web News 806

It is six months since the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, commenced strike following an impasse with Federal Government over unfulfilled agreements.
Consequently, students have borne the brunt of the imbroglio, being out of the academic environment trying to cope with the recurring decimal. 


For some, it is not a new experience, as they had at one time or the other tasted the bitter pill of extension in the expected year of study in school occasioned by disagreement between academic or non-academic staff and government.

Truth be told, it is quite a challenging time for these students psychologically, emotionally and academically.  Therefore, as a parent or guardian, this is a passionate plea that you please take it easy with your young adults living with you.


The current situation that has forced them back home is neither their fault nor yours as parents, though both of you are paying for it when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.


Be kind with words towards them, be less judgemental and don’t be too quick to shut them up or throw insults. 
This stage is hard for a lot of them. Very hard!


One of the students affected by the current ASUU strike reached out to me and said she was contemplating suicide. 


One of the things that could easily frustrate a child is for his or her parents to be making assumptions and jumping to conclusions, without even wanting to hear him or her out. Please don’t do this to your children. 


These young adults are not having it easy. If you have been to any institution of higher learning, you should already know how frustrating strikes can be. 

A lot of young adults are exasperated. It’s hard trying to find your footing in a world so messed up.
 Please be kind with your words towards your children and your wards.

Find time to converse with them. Ask them how they are doing, and how life is treating them. Ask them if they need help with anything and help as much as you can.

Reassure them that things will be fine and make efforts to be there for them. 
If you used to send them money for upkeep while in school, please as long as you can afford to,  give them something even while they are at home. Every young adult has a need. 
Don’t make matters worse by unnecessarily picking on them or being unreasonably unbendable.


It’s sad knowing that a lot of young adults are happier away from home and their parents. It’s really sad. Your home should be a safe haven for your kids and wards, not where they would rather not be. 
Being unreasonably strict isn’t what will make anyone turn out right. If anything, it only breeds sleek, sneaky humans so please give them a little breathing space too. 


You will also do well to counsel and engage them positively. You can never tell, this period may just be an eye opener to discover their purpose in life.

Culled/ Olaitan Oye-Adeitan

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