Education

FG Appeals to Striking Resident Doctors

By Web News 107

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has appealed to the striking doctors to suspend the strike, stating that the Federal Government has met most of their demands.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the Minister said the Federal Government has cleared about 60 per cent of the backlog of arrears owed to health workers.

However, the President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, emphasized the need for further dialogue to holistically address all outstanding issues.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has stated that its nationwide “total, comprehensive, and indefinite” strike, which began on Saturday, will continue until the Federal Government fully meets its demands.

NARD listed several unresolved demands, including unpaid arrears, allowances, and entitlements such as the 25/35 percent CONMESS review, promotion arrears, upgrade arrears, and accoutrement allowance, some of which have been pending for over five years.

The association described these demands as the minimum necessary to sustain the nation’s healthcare system and uphold the dignity of medical practice.

Hours after NARD announced its indefinite strike, the Federal Government stated that it would release ₦11.99 billion within 72 hours to settle part of the salary and allowance arrears owed to medical professionals across the country.

Channels/Adebukola Aluko

Labour

Strike: Labour Leaders Storm Offices, Chase out Workers

By Web News 296

By Iyabo Adebisi, Rotimi Famakin

The leadership of the organized labour in Oyo stormed the Agodi state Secretariat,Ibadan to enforce compliance of the indefinite strike  declared by the Union over the proposed national minimum wage impasse with the federal government. 

There was partial compliance with the strike at the Secretariat, earlier on Monday as workers entered freely due to non-closure of the gate. 

The enforcement team led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Mr Kayode Martins and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Mr Bosun Olabiyi stormed various offices and directed workers who had earlier resumed duties across ministries within the secretariat to leave.

Speaking with newsmen, Mr Olabiyi categorically told Oyo state civil servants to stay away from work until further directives from the national body.

Mr Olabiyi maintained that the labour was not fighting the current administration but r agitating for a living wage in view of the economic realities.

However, Federal workers complied totally with  the strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC, over the new national minimum wage. 

Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored the situation at the Federal Secretariat in Ibadan reported that all ministries had been shut down except for emergency workers such as the Federal Fire Service.

A top official of the Fire Service, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that it was necessary for them to be on duty as a paramilitary body in case of emergency situations.

Similarly, government owned primary and secondary  schools in Ibadan, Oyo capital have been closed.

Our correspondent who  visited Oladipo Alayande School of Science, Ibadan Boys High School, Oke Bola,  Emmanuel Grammar School,U.I,reports that students who arrived their schools for their academic work were directed to go home while the main gates leading to the school premises were locked.

The closure according to our correspondent led to most of the affected students returning home while others use the opportunity  to play football game.

At Ibadan Boys ‘ High School, most of the classrooms were locked while few teachers supervising students sitting for their physics practicals in the ongoing West African Examination Council WAEC were sighted in the school ‘s laboratory.

Labour

SSANU Ends Warning Strike over Withheld Salaries

By Web News 360

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced the end of its seven-day warning strike to give more room for the government to do the needful.

The president of the association, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, made the declaration at a virtual stakeholders forum, organised by the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

The forum, which also had Mr Ibeji Nwokoma, President of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational And Associated Institutions (NASU), in attendance, was on “Withheld Salaries vs Labour Crisis.”

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of affected university labour unions had, on March 18, directed members to down tools, following their four-month withheld salaries and the non-implementation of the agreement they entered into with the Federal Government in 2009.

“We had a meeting with representatives of the Federal Government in Abuja on Wednesday, and nothing tangible came out concerning the issue.

“Yes, they acknowledged the fact that we were on strike and that the action had paralysed activities on campuses of federal universities.

“So, the meeting was nothing but an appeal to suspend the strike while they do something as soon as possible.

“Now, just imagine a situation where there is no water, no light, no mobilisation of graduates for NYSC, which are all responsibilities of our members in universities.

“The strike will end by midnight. We’ll go back to our various branches to review the outcome of the warning strike, as well as the recent meeting with the federal government, and from there agree on the next line of action.

“We have given a window to do the needful, and failure to meet their own side of the bargain will be met with drastic action, “ he warned.

He noted that it was no longer news that government would make promises only to renege on it, citing the 2009 renegotiation agreement as an instance.

“We have the right to go on strike once we follow the due process. It could be a warning strike, just like the one that is ending this night (Sunday).

“No one can stifle us, or stop us from voicing out our pains.

“We could picket our working places. We could also report to work without working, and so forth.

“All are lawful in the labour law. So, nobody can take them away from us.

“We are not asking for anything outside our rights. We cannot continue this way, because, after all, we too are humans, we are also parents, with bills to pay and mouths to feed,” he said.

The union leader blamed the present state of things on the government’s attitude towards the education sector.

He said that members of unions were using the strike as a last resort to drive home their demands, considering the impact it normally had on the students.

“It is not that the university workers, including SSANU, like to go on strike; it is the government that always pushes us to apply that sanction. It is unfortunate for the government to take serious matters with levity.

“Members of our various unions are very critical in the running of any given university system. We should be taken seriously whenever we make demands, like our counterpart union in the same system.

“We deserve to be treated equally. There should be no preferential treatment. For the government not to have paid us the withheld salaries like our sister union, ASUU, is a great disservice to us.

“I want to say that we will continue to fight against this injustice until the right thing is done,” he said.

He said that the best way to prevent incessant strikes in the entire education sector was to fund it adequately.

“If you spend well on education, you spend less fighting insecurity, hunger, poverty, and others. The government should take a cue from other climes.

“So, the panacea to ending crisis in Nigerian universities, in fact, in the entire sector, is funding and more funding,” he stated.

He noted that since the struggle by members of the various unions to get the government to do the needful, many of them had lost their lives in the last one and a half years due to a lack of funds to access good healthcare.

Mohammed also decried the issue of non-autonomy in the university system, adding that the situation was creating issues for the smooth operation of the system.

He also urged the government to ensure that the appointment of vice-chancellors and principal officers of universities, especially the federal ones, should be based solely on merit rather than through what he described as ‘godfatherism’.

The SSANU leader said that the same must be applied to the appointment of members of governing councils across board. (NAN)

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Education

Strike: Accede to Our Demands, SSANU Tells FG  

By Web News 315

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

As the ongoing warning strike embarked upon by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU continues to hinder activities at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, the Association’s leadership has called on the Federal Government to urgently accede to their demands. 

Academic activities around the Alabata campus of the University had been slowed down as students complained to journalists that administrative matters usually handled by the striking members of SSANU could not be easily resolved while major offices remained shut. 

Speaking with Radio Nigeria, the Chairman, SSANU, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Mr Olurotimi Fasunwon who maintained that no favourable agreement was reached at a meeting held by the leadership of the association and the Federal Government yesterday, said the union was still optimistic that government would resolve the issue before expiration of the 7-day warning strike.

Mr Fasunwon said that the one-week warning strike was to compel the government to respond to their demands by ensuring prompt payment of the four months’ withheld salaries of members which had been paid to only academic staff.

He stressed that the leadership of the association would not hesitate to reconvene and take drastic steps if at the expiration of the 7-day warning strike, the government did not respond to their demand. 

The one week warning strike which commenced on Monday by both Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities and Non Academic Staff Union of Universities had paralyzed activities in public universities across the state. 

The university workers are protesting the non-payment of the four-month withheld salaries by the Federal Government for their involvement in the prolonged strike in the university system during the last administration which was later released to the members of Academic Staff Union Universities, following the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

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Labour

Walk Your Talk, NLC Tells FG Ahead 2-Day Nationwide Protest

By Web News 368

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Friday, directed its members and affiliate unions to begin mobilisation for a two-day nationwide protest expected to take place on February 27 and 28, if the federal government fails to implement all the agreements signed with it in October 2023.

The two-day nationwide protest according to the communique signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero and the acting General Secretary, Comrade Ismail Bello will be taking place at the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it had earlier issued.

President of the NLC, Comrade  Ajaero, who addressed newsmen at the end of the union’s National Executive Council, (NEC) meeting in Abuja, asked his members to be on standby for an indefinite strike which would commence seven days after the nationwide protest if government still fails to meet its demands.

Ajaero noted that Labour was no longer interested in empty talks from the government but actions, urging the government to immediately implement the agreement and restore faith in the democratic process, as Nigerians were struggling to survive.

A communique read by the Congress President at the end of the meeting noted that on Monday,  29th May 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced during his inaugural speech the withdrawal of Subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria. 

It said that that singular pronouncement immediately led to the price of the product, which is central to transportation and power in Nigeria, escalated across the nation, throwing the nation into turmoil and confusion as citizens were left stranded, thus increasing suffering, hardship and angst among the populace.

It read: “Series of meetings were held with the federal government culminating in the signing of an Agreement which we now call the October 2 Agreement. This Agreement contained several safeguards which we had believed if implemented conscientiously would have gone a long way to ameliorate the suffering and hardship that the ill-conceived and ill-implemented policies of the government have foisted on the masses and workers

“It also took notice of the decision of the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the both Congresses of the NLC and TUC to demand that the Agreement be implemented. 

“To this end, NEC unanimously noted its deep disappointment and condemned the actions of the federal government in refusing to implement the agreements and reached the following decisions:

“That it reaffirms the 14days notice issued by the federal government within which to implement the Agreement and address the mounting crisis of survival in Nigeria.

“That the Notice expires on the Midnight of Thursday, the 22nd of February, 2024. If on expiration, Congress is not satisfied with the level of the Government’s compliance with the conditions of the Notice, it will be at liberty to take action that will compel the Government to implement the agreement.

“Declares a 2-day National Protest on 27th and 28th of February to demonstrate outrage on the mounting hardship and insecurity around the nation.

“If demands are not met after the nationwide protests to issue a Seven-Day notice that will expire on the 2nd day of March 2024 to the federal government after which an indefinite nationwide strike will ensue.  

“That Nigerian workers and people are not interested in empty talk now but action so, calls on all of affiliates, state Councils and Civil Society Allies to start mobilizing across the nation for effective action as the deadline approaches.

“As such, in light of the urgency of the situation and the continued suffering of the Nigerian people and Workers, the NEC-in-session calls for immediate action from the federal government to rectify these grievances and restore faith in the democratic process and social dialogue.”

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Energy

TCN Denies Report on National Blackout

By Web News 332

As workers commenced a nationwide indefinite strike on Tuesday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has said there is no truth in a media report about a looming national blackout.

TCN emphasised that the claim made by an online news outlet alleging that the Head of Public Affairs of TCN predicted a national blackout was inaccurate and misleading.

This was revealed in a statement signed by TCN management which was shared on its X account on Tuesday.

The statement clarified that no such declaration was made by the Public Affairs Head, disclosing that the country’s power grid remained intact, consistently providing substantial electricity to distribution load centres across the nation.

The statement said, “The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that the publication by Daily Post alleging that the Head of Public Affairs of TCN said that there will be a national blackout is false and totally misleading.  “The statement is mischievous and baseless as TCN, through the Public Affairs Head, did not make such a statement.

“We hereby note that the nation’s grid is intact and supplying bulk electricity to distribution load centers nationwide.

“As at when issuing this statement, the TCN National Control Centre Osogbo which controls bulk power transmission nationwide, is actively operational.”

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Labour

NLC Strike: Ogun, Oyo Witnessed Partial Compliance

By Web News 386

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke/ Iyabo Adebisi

The nationwide strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress,TUC, witnessed partial compliance in Ogun State with a section of the workers absent at their duty posts while others claimed the strike was yet to commence. 

Radio Nigeria Correspondents observed a reduction in business activities in public outlets across major cities in the state but many workers at the Federal and State Secretariats located at Oke Mosan area of the state capital were found at their duty posts.

Visits to some primary health centres also revealed that the workers did not turn up but medical and health workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba as well as the State Hospital, Ijaye Abeokuta were attending to patients without any disruption when Radio Nigeria crew visited the hospitals around 10 or clock in the morning. 

Some of the workers who pleaded not to have their identities revealed said the strike was yet to take effect, claiming that the union leaders in the state had not issued a convincing directive to enforce the strike. 

Addressing newsmen on the matter, the state NLC Chairman, Mr Ademola Benco who said executives of the congress had gone around to see the level of compliance, insisted that the directive must be strictly followed in line with the directives of the national body 

Also, the State Secretary, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Mr Samson Oyelere who said some students were sent back home today emphasized the strike would take full effect by tomorrow as schools would not be opened. 

Some parents had earlier complained over the controversy about the strike, pointing out that some of their children and wards were kept in class, while some schools sent their pupils back home. 

The story is not different in Oyo State as workers partially complied with the directive of the national body of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to down tools over the harsh treatment meted out to the Chairman of NLC, Joe Ajaero in Imo state. 

Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored the level of compliance in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital especially at the Federal and state Secretariats observed that there was partial compliance with the directive.

The entrance gates of the federal and state secretariats were open for workers without anybody preventing them from gaining entrance to their different offices.

The entrance gates of the offices of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) at Ring road and Dugbe were locked while workers and customers were prevented from gaining entrance.

Commercial activities were also going on at different banks in the state.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the Oyo State NLC Chairman, Mr Kayode Martins said the state NLC stands by the directive of the national body for workers to stay at home.

Mr Martins said the fight was done to protect the hope of the common man condemning the manner the NLC chairman was apprehended and beaten in Imo state over the labour matters between the government and  Labour in the state. 

Mr Martins therefore called on the Federal government to arrest the situation before it get out of hands

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Labour

NLC Poised for Showdown with Imo Govt on Nov 1

By Web News 384

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will mobilize its members to storm Imo State on Wednesday, November 1.

Briefing journalists at the Labour House on Sunday in Abuja, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused the Imo State Government of violating the rights of the Nigerian workers in the state.

Accusing Governor Hope Uzodimma of neglecting workers’ welfare, Ajaero lamented that many of them have died because of the alleged lack of payment of their salaries.

He outlined some of the infractions against workers by the Imo State Governor including the alleged refusal to implement previous agreements especially the accord reached on January 9, 2021, outstanding salary arrears of about 20 months, unjust declaration of workers as ghost workers, declaration of pensioners as ghost workers and unsettled gratuity arrears among others.

According to him, approximately 10,000 pensioners have been wrongly labelled as ghost pensioners resulting in over 22 months of unpaid pensions while about 11,000 workers have been branded by the Imo State Government as ghost workers.

The NLC President also lamented the non-compliance with the national minimum wage by the state government, adding that Governor Uzodinma has resisted the use of social dialogue and collective bargaining to resolve the issues.

Meanwhile, The National Industrial Court sitting in Owerri the Imo state capital has issued an extended interim injunction restraining the organized Labour from embarking on any kind of strike in Imo state.

Both the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are further ordered not to embark on OCCUPY IMO, as planned, until the next adjourned date.

Justice Nelson Ogbuanya gave the order after hearing the submissions of the Attorney General of Imo State, Cyprian Akaolisa, who approached the court to grant an extended  interim order against the defendants in view of their fresh threat to embark on strike through occupy Imo.

The defendants are Nigeria Labour Congress and the Secretary General,  Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Trade Union Congress and its secretary General, Comrade Nuhu Toro.

In the suit No NICN/ OW/41/2023, in which the Attorney General of Imo State and the Imo State Government  are applicants,  they prayed that since there is a subsisting order restraining the defendants from going on strike, the order should be extended.

Their argument was hinged on an affidavit by which the first defendant (NLC) by a letter dated 16th October, 2023 is currently mobilizing its members from the South East and South South  for a strike to occupy Imo from November 01,2023.

After hearing from both counsels in the suit, the court granted the order of  extended interim injunction restraining the defendants from embarking on any strike in whatever guise.

The court warned against the disobedience of its order, saying that it will attract consequences.

The Court adjourned the matter to November, 03,2023 for either hearing or report of settlement.

Channels/Adebukola Aluko

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Labour

FG Halts Contempt Suit against Labour

By Web News 390

The Federal Government on Monday said it did not proceed with the contempt suit it planned to file against Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for organizing nationwide protest against fuel subsidy removal on August 2, 2023.

The National Industry Court had stopped the organized labour from going on strike, however human rights lawyer and counsel to the organized labour, Femi Falana insisted the union could proceed on the protest.

The Ministry of Justice insisted Labour Unions had gone against the court and planned to sue NLC and TUC for contempt, saying they disobeyed a court order barring them from organizing a nationwide protest.

In a change of event, the ministry in a letter dated August 7, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba addressed to the NLC through their counsel, Femi Falana said the contempt proceedings against the congress for embarking on a nationwide protest last Wednesday was no longer valid.

According to the ministry the initially planned contempt suit was before the interventions of the President and the National Assembly, explaining that the suit was motivated by the need to protect court’s integrity.

“It is self-evident that the none-issuance of Form 49 as at 4th of August 2023, renders the contempt proceedings inchoate. You may therefore wish to advise or guide the labour unions on the practice and procedure of contempt proceedings, particularly to the effect that the issues or concerns raised by NLC in its communiqué on the proceedings have been overtaken by events,” the letter read in part.

Meanwhile, the NLC had on August 3 issued an ultimatum to the federal government, demanding the withdrawal of a lawsuit against the union regarding their nationwide protest on Wednesday.

FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule

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Labour

NLC Notifies ASUU, JUSUN, Other Affiliates ahead of Strike

By Web News 446

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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Labour

PASAN Extends Warning Strike

By Web News 390

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Ogun State chapter has extended its three days warning strike following the failure of the state government to accede to their demands.

PASAN had last week declared a three-day to register workers displeasure with the state government over the non implementation of Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who visited State House of Assembly observed that, some of the staff were in groups, discussing the ongoing situation at the assembly.

One of the staff who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that, the strike was extended over the inability of State government responding to their agitations.

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Politics

Ogun Assembly Staff Embark on Warning Strike

By Web News 362

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke 

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Ogun chapter, has embarked on a three – day warning strike to demand the immediate implementation of Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure, CONLESS, from the state government.

Addressing newsmen at the entrance of Ogun State House Assembly in Abeokuta, PASAN chairman, Mr Ayotunde Ojediran, said the strike became necessary to register the workers displeasure with the state government.

Mr Ojediran noted that the  implementation of the CONLESS to Staffers in the state assembly and House of Assembly Service Commission would place the staffers on the same pedestal with the State Judiciary who had been enjoying Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure, CONJESS.

The PASAN Chairman explained that union had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to meet their demands,  but nothing was done till the ultimatum lasted.

He pointed out that the state government failed to comply with the provision of the State Assembly Service Commission Law, 2018- specifically Sections 10 sub section 2, 13 and 14, and the Statutory Offices (State Emoluments) Amendment Law, 2018.

Radio Nigeria correspondent report that efforts to get the reaction from  management of the assembly were unsuccessful.

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Foreign

Strike Hits Public Transport in Tunisia

By Web News 526

Public transport in the Tunisian capital ground to a halt after employees of the state transport company went on strike on Monday over delays to salary payments.

Hundreds of workers staged a protest outside the prime minister’s office.

The industrial action highlights problems facing public companies as the government of President Kais Saied grapples with its worst financial crisis.

The powerful UGTT union is to hold another two-day strike involving transport workers in late January.

It says the action will be in protest against what it calls “the government’s marginalisation of public companies.”

BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Foreign

Kenyan Pilots Call Off Strike

By Web News 425

Kenya Airways pilots returned to work on Wednesday after a court ordered them to end their long strike, which led to hundreds of flight cancellations and stranded thousands of passengers.

The report says the strike, which began on Saturday, exacerbated the troubled national carrier’s woes, which has vowed to “do everything possible to return to normalcy in the shortest time.”

Hours after a Nairobi court ordered the pilots to return to work; the Kenya Airline Pilots Association said its members would “resume duty” by 06:00 am on Wednesday — the deadline stipulated by the judge.

“The strike is off; we are back to work,” a KALPA spokesperson told AFP Wednesday.

Despite the announcement ending the strike, Kenya Airways’ latest online update showed just 19 flights operating on Wednesday, fewer than the 26 scheduled the day before.

KALPA launched the walkout at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in defiance of a court injunction issued last week against the strike, prompting the government to threaten the pilots with disciplinary action.

In a breakthrough for the beleaguered airline, Justice Anna Mwaure on Tuesday ordered KALPA members to resume their duties “unconditionally” by 6:00 am, Wednesday.

Kenya Airways, which is part-owned by the government and Air France-KLM, is one of the biggest in Africa, connecting multiple countries to Europe and Asia.

But it has been running losses for years, despite the government pumping millions of dollars to keep it afloat.

Mwaure also ordered the airline’s management to allow the pilots “to perform their duties without harassing them or intimidating them and especially by not taking any disciplinary action against any of them.”

Transport Minister Kipchumba Murkomen had urged the pilots and the airline’s management to obey the court order.

“In the past three days, this strike has disrupted travel plans for over 12,000 customers… forced the cancellation of over 300 flights, and affected 3,500 other employees who were not part of it,” he said.

The protesting pilots, who make up 10 per cent of the workforce, are pressing for the reinstatement of contributions to a provident fund and payment of all salaries stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement released Tuesday, the airline’s CEO Allan Kilavuka said: “We commit to complying with the court’s directions.”

The airline and the government have accused the union of engaging in “economic sabotage,” with Kenya Airways warning that the strike would lead to losses estimated at $2.5 million per day.

The airline was founded in 1977 following the demise of East African Airways and flies more than four million passengers to 42 destinations annually.

It has been operating largely thanks to state bailouts following years of losses.

Punch/Taiwo Akinola

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Education

ASUU! STRIKE!! SALARY!!!

By Web News 544

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 525

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

ASUU Strike: Citizens Lament Grounded Businesses, Academic Activities

By Web News 628

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

COEASU Extends Strike

By Web News 572

Lecturers in the Nigerian colleges of education have extended their ongoing strike by three weeks.

The lecturers, under the aegis of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, blamed their decision on the failure of the Federal Government to embrace the union’s preference for the University Transparency Accountability System, UTAS and the failure of the state governments to address issues peculiar to state-owned colleges of education.

“Most state governments are yet to address issues locally peculiar to state-owned colleges of education, especially in Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, Abia, Kogi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Edo, and Ebonyi states. In fact, the situation has further deteriorated in some of these states with the enforcement of the draconian rule of “no work, no pay” and victimization of Union leaders.

“The FG is yet to come out clear on the Union’s preference for UTAS against the troublesome Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS.

“Having submitted the Union’s charter of demands to the FG team for the renegotiation, the posture and sincerity of government towards meaningful collective bargaining cannot be ascertained until August 2, 2022, when the renegotiation proper begins.

The union stated in its communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting.

The communique was signed by the National President, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, and the General Secretary, Dr. Ahmed Lawan.

On the decision to embark on strike, the union said, “While empathetically acknowledging the appeal of critical stakeholders expecting the strike action to be suspended, the NEC painstakingly submitted that the timing must be properly calculated based on the foregoing reservations in order to consolidate on the gains of the struggle. Therefore, NEC unanimously resolved that the strike action should continue for the next three weeks within which the Union hopes that the foregoing reservations should have been addressed”.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Education

ASUU Strike: Union Meets August 1 

By Web News 1373

The National Executive Council of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities is scheduled to hold its meeting in the first week of August, 2022.

Report says, a decision on whether to suspend or continue with the strike which enters its 155th day on Tuesday, 19th July, will be taken at the meeting.

ASUU on Monday, February 14, 2022 embarked on the industrial action over what the union described as the failure of the government to address some of its demands.

The Chairman of ASUU, Federal University of Technology, Minna chapter, Dr Gbolahan Bolarin, confirmed the planned meeting on Monday, adding that, the meeting would be held either on July 30 or August 1, 2022.

ASUU had cautioned the government against the proliferation of tertiary institutions and the failure to approve the deployment of the Universities Transparency Accountability System.

The union had also insisted on the release of the White Paper of the visitation panels to universities and the release of revitalisation funds for the development of universities, among others.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, recently accused the union of engaging in a lopsided agreement with the Federal Government through the Professor Nimi Briggs committee.

Ahead of the NEC meeting however, Dr Gbolahan Bolarin ruled out the possibility of suspending the strike.

According to him, the government has not brought anything to the table that can lead to such decision.

“We are not even at a point to vote on continuation or not because there is nothing from the Federal Government yet.

“The NEC will be holding its meeting early next month, August . That should be August 1. The meeting might even be on July 30,” he said.

Punch /Taiwo Akinola

News

ASUU Will Call Off Strike Soon- Ngige

By Web News 364

The Federal Government says, the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities would soon be called off.

This was as it said there are no plans to establish an alternative payment platform for all the labour unions in tertiary institutions.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, disclosed this while fielding questions from State House Correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Council Chambers of the presidential villa, Abuja.

“It will be resolved very soon. It will be resolved and very soon,” Ngige said on Wednesday.

Despite four months into the strike already, he assured Nigerians that efforts were underway to resolve the ongoing dispute largely fueled by payment platforms.

ASUU, which grounded academic activities in Nigerian universities since February 14, 2022, had insisted on the use of its own generated payment platform, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution.

It premised its demand on claims that the government-backed Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System was shortchanging its members.

However, the Federal Government, last March, claimed that UTAS was unfit for wide-scale use as it failed three integrity tests. According to Ngige, UTAS only scaled through the user acceptance criteria but performed poorly in stress tolerance and immunity to cyberattacks.

Aside from UTAS, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Educational Institutions also proposed their payment platform: Universities Peculiar Personnel Payroll System.

Ngige argued that the Federal Government was indeed engaging with ASUU, despite notions that it has been snubbing the union.

He, therefore, revealed that deliberations would resume on Thursday to consider the progress made by the various agencies involved in the months-long negotiations.

Part of those involved is the National Information Technology Development Agency who has run further tests on UTAS and the University Peculiar Personnel and Payroll System proposed by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities.

Explaining the state of the strike, Ngige said, “To answer your question, ASUU went on strike by February 14. By February 21, I cut short my trip to an African session conference holding in Botswana and we held a conciliation with the employers, the Ministry of Education and the National University Commission.

“As the issue is bordered on money, remunerations, welfare, we did another conciliation meeting inviting the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and again, with their employers on the first of March. After that, it became clear that two cardinal things were still keen: the issue of renegotiation of their welfare package, as in the 2009 agreements. That Agreement says you can review every five years. So that issue stuck out like a sore thumb.

“Then another issue arose in that agreement, the payment platform of University Transparency Accountability Solution, which they say they’ve invented. They said they don’t want to be on IPPIS; that IPPIS was amputating their salaries and taking off certain allowances. No employee or worker can dictate to his employer how he or she will be paid. But the government gave this privilege in consonant with the Executive Orders three and five, for local content development, and I support it.

“So NITDA on their own was doing their test. And when NITDA gave their preliminary results, they said user acceptance was the one that they passed. But the whole thing is a total package of vulnerability, and stress tests. Vulnerability, whether this platform can be hacked into without difficulty or stress, how many people can it carry?

He said deliberations would continue at the State House on Thursday.

“So that’s where they are based on what we call tripartite plus meetings, based on the presidential directive that the Chief of Staff, myself, finance and education find the solution. That meeting was held in the Banquet Hall. We gave an instruction again for them to go back and come back to terms.

“So as I speak to you, as the Arbitrator or Conciliator-in-Chief, I have not gotten back any of the reports from education, from salaries, incomes and wages, nor from ASUU because they’re supposed to report to me. I have not gotten any report. But on the government side, we’re calling up a meeting tomorrow so that everybody on the government side can report if he has a problem, so we know how to address it.”

On the allegation that the government has been snubbing the unions, Ngige said, “It is not true that nobody is talking to ASUU, we are talking to ASUU. Other unions are accusing us of preferential treatment because these other unions have also claimed that they have developed their own payment platform and that they will not use UTAS even if it is good. And they are putting it down in writing and say they have developed their own platform.

“So what the government has done at the last meeting was to say, NITDA, test the three platforms and rate all of them and give us reports. Their term expired last Friday, the time they were given. That’s why we’re calling them to come on Thursday, and brief us.”


Punch/Taiwo Akinola

Education

No Work, No Pay: You can’t force us to resume – ASUU

By Web News 583

The Academic Staff Union of Universities says its members are not beggars and that the stoppage of their salaries by the government won’t force them to call off their strike.

The leadership of the union also commended the members for keeping faith with the union despite the hardship imposed on their families as a result of the No-Work-No-Pay directive of the Federal Government.

Following the failure of the government to meet some lingering demands of the union, ASUU on February 14, 2022 announced a one-month warning strike, followed by another eight-week strike before it eventually commenced its indefinite strike.

The continued strike led to the imposition of No-Work-No-Pay by the Federal Government.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the directive was in compliance with Section 43 of the Labour Law.

Though some of the demands by the union are still undergoing negotiations, the ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed optimism that the union was on the threshold of victory as its resolve has forced the government to engage in negotiations.

He said, “As the struggle continues, our members are commended for their commitment and steadfastness in the patriotic struggle for the survival of the university system in our country.”

“Our members are particularly applauded for keeping faith with the union in spite of the hardship imposed on our families as a result of the stoppage of salaries. They have made the statement loud and clear that we are not beggars and, as a result, hunger is an impotent instrument to break our resolve.”

“Our cast-iron resolve has forced the government to sit down and negotiate with us. We have had five meetings with the Federal Government team and two meetings with the Minister of Education. The renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement is progressing smoothly and has reached an advanced stage.”

“However, we must remain focused to the end of this struggle. UTAS (University Transparency and Accountability Solution) has been tested for the third time. So far, NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) has tested UTAS and UPS and will start testing IPPIS next week. We are undeterred by the antics of some government officials in this respect.

“We are on the threshold of victory. Let us keep faith with the union. A people united can never be defeated.” Professor Osodeke added

Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle

Education

Resumption: ASUP has made a remarkable difference – Ngige

By Web News 431

The federal government has commended the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, for calling off its warning strike and resuming duties.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige in a statement issued in Abuja by Olajide Oshundun, Head, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, said it was heartwarming that the polytechnic lecturers acknowledged the unrelenting efforts of the government towards repositioning higher education in the country.

The Minister was quoted as saying, “ASUP has made a remarkable difference at a time the usual practice is for striking unions to deny that government has moved a needle in implementing agreements reached at negotiations.”

“This union did not only acknowledge the efforts of the federal government, it painstakingly also listed the demands which government has met, while expressing optimism that the rest would similarly be resolved.”

“This is the way to go, a commendable act which other unions in the education sector must copy, moving forward, in holistic resolution of the challenges facing higher education.”

He assured that the government would not relent until all outstanding issues were sorted out.

Dr Ngige, however, urged other unions on strike in the education sector to emulate the polytechnic lecturers and immediately resume work in the interest of their students and the country at large.

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP had in a letter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, notified him of the resumption of academic activities across polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in the country with effect from May 30,2022.

According to the letter, this follows the conclusion of the union’s warning strike which took effect from the 16th of May, 2022.

The union further stated, “It is important to note that some progress was made in resolving the issues in contention during the two weeks period. The key areas include: release of arrears of minimum wage to beneficiary institutions/staff; release of normative instruments for institutions, management and programmes accreditation by the NBTE; resolution to withdraw the contentious template for appointment of principal officers by the Federal Ministry of Education; as well as decision on the issue of victimised union officers in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu and non-payment of salaries in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.”

“The outstanding issues include non-release of the approved N15B revitalisation fund for the sector; delay in the appointment of substantive Rectors for Federal Polytechnics in Mubi, Offa and Kaduna; non resolution and release of arrears of CONTISS 15 migration for the lower cadre; and non-release of Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service or the sector.”

While expressing appreciation to the minister for the progress made, the union said it was hopeful that the unresolved issues would be attended to expeditiously before its NEC meets on June 22, 2022 to review the situation.

Vanguard/Maxwell Oyekunle

Education

ASUP Suspends Strike

By Web News 423

Lecturers in public polytechnics across the country will resume on May 30, 2022, following a directive from the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.

The union had, on May 16, 2022, commenced a two-week warning strike over the failure of the government to meet some lingering demands.

Some of the demands which the union listed had included the payment of N15 billion revitalisation fund for polytechnics; payment of minimum wage arrears; review of conditions of service, among others.

The Federal Government had earlier  commenced the payment of the minimum wage arrears, not just for lecturers of polytechnics, but also for university lecturers and other tertiary institution workers in the country.

While the Academic Staff Union of Universities had said the payment of the minimum wage arrears was not a part of its demands, ASUP had said otherwise.

“The two weeks definite strike of the union will be rounding off on the 29th of May, 2022, as agreed by the emergency meeting of the NEC. Consequently, the union is requesting members to resume duties effective 30th of May, 2022, while hoping that government will take advantage of the window to address the five outstanding items.

“Further directives/ updates shall be released after the 103rd meeting of NEC which is scheduled to hold in the month of June, 2022, during which the situation shall be reviewed,” ASUP stated in the statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Abdullahi Yalwa. According to ASUP, the government is yet to meet other demands proposed by the union.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Education

Strike: We Feel your Pains, ASUU Tells Students

By Web News 406

The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, has sympathized with university students over the prolonged strike by the union.

Professor Osodeke made this known in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Ota, while reacting to the N34 billion released by the Federal Government for payment of minimum wage consequential adjustment.

According to reports, ASUU has been on strike since February 14 over improved welfare package, better working conditions and the implementation of various labour agreements signed with the Federal government between 2009 and 2020.

The ASUU president explained that the students were not being punished but paying the price to ensure that Nigeria had a good education system.

“ASUU sympathizes with them, and we believe that with what is going on, if we continue with the struggle, we will have an education system where Nigerian students will have the same lecture rooms with their foreign counterparts,” Osodeke said.

The ASUU president who emphasized that there was no need to call off the strike when government had not attended to their demands therefore, called on the federal government to do the needful as the N34 billion released was not part of their demands.

It would be that the federal government had on Tuesday released the sum of N34 billion for the payment of consequential adjustment for minimum wage of workers in the education system.

NAN /Adebukola Aluko

Education

ASUU Strike: Baptist Convention President Calls for Prompt Resolution

By Web News 616

For the upteenth time, the  Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has again extended its ongoing strike by another twelve weeks, making it six months running that students have been off academic work. Reason for the Union’s refusal to call off the strike remains government’s negligence to honour their agreement on issues affecting the academic community.

This lingering crisis with no solution in sight yet is what probably informed the advise by the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Dr Israel Akanji, to ASUU to also explore other viable means of sustaining the University system.

Dr Akanji gave the advice at a news conference in Ibadan.

“We  believe that the future of our nation rests on quality education and all stakeholders must work together to get it right. We as Christian body will continue to raise our voices in prayer for divine intervention in the quick resolution of the challenges in the country education sector” Dr Akanji said.

The Baptist convention president explained that, such step would put an end to incessant strike, saying that developed nations of the world also seek help  from non-governmental organisations, individuals and society for their survival. 

He appealed to the Federal government and ASUU to come to terms and resolve the impasse so as to stabilise the academic calendar.
On security, Dr Akanji urged government to seek assistance from other countries of the world to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

He explained that the issue of security had seriously affected the development of Nigeria hence  the need for decisive action from government and prayers from all Nigerians.
“As a Christian denomination, we cannot but look up to God in prayer for help. We strongly advise government at the three tiers of government to organise constant prayers as one of the weapons to Curbing and resolving security challenges in Nigeria.  In the interim, we urge  government to swallow pride and engage international help in various efforts to decapitate terrorist groups in Nigeria”
 Rev Doctor Akanji further appealed to the governor of Kwara state Abdul razak Abdul Rahman to reconsider  his stand on the case of Oyun  Baptist  secondary school ijagbo which was shut down over a hijab controversy.
“It is also expected that other Christian schools in other parts of the state should be allowed the freedom to express their long-standing philosophies of  operation which have contributed immensely to the development of our country”
He said reopening of the school would enable the students to continue with their education and particularly enable the final year students to write their examination
Abisola Oluremi