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ASUU knocks COPSON over comments on collective bargaining

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday advised the Committee of Pro-chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSON) to stop playing to the gallery and learn from their counterparts in Federal Universities who are impressing the government to do the needful for public universities.

The Union in a release signed by the Convener, ASUU Rapid Response, Professor Ade Adejumo entitled “COPSON: Stoking the Blaze of Discord” stated that no amount of threats will make the Union stop fighting for quality education and welfare of her members.

The Union reacted to the communique issued at the end of the meeting of COPSON where the committee said the government should enforce no work no pay and that the centrally agreed negotiations will not be binding on them to obey.

According to ASUU Boss, COPSON needs to understand that the principle of collective bargaining is sanctioned by the law.

Adejumo who knocks NOPSON for saying collectively agreed negotiations will not be binding on them asked them to explain “why have they not insisted that policies and directives of central regulatory bodies like JAMB, NUC and NYSC are not binding on them?”

Professor Adejumo maintained that “ASUU is one, a thousand communique and threats from COPSON cannot break our ranks and iron resolve to see this struggle and any other one in the future to its successful end”.

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ASUU asked the pro-chancellors to provide evidence where they have improved the salaries and welfare of their school but said pro-chancellors of state Universities “are always eager to run to Abuja to collect money from TETFUND which was brought into existence by ASUU, but only wonders whether some people’s consciences go on holiday when they sit down to make certain pronouncements”

He said: “These indeed are grave moments. Ominous signs are on the horizon for our education system. The latest assault on the university system in Nigeria is captured by the communique released by the committee of pro-chancellors of State Universities. The ” fatwa” declared on the principle of collective bargaining by a duly registered Union like ASUU for its members is quite worrisome. If we may ask, what is the function of a Union if not to see to the welfare of its members? Why is COPSON fixated on the curious idea that centrally negotiated salaries by ASUU with the government will not be binding on them when they have always been represented in such negotiations? Why have they not insisted that policies and directives of central regulatory bodies like JAMB, NUC and NYSC are not binding on them? Why is COPSON behaving like Chichidudu of Ayi Kwei Armah’s tale? For clarity, chichidudu is a bird that hates excreta with passion but feeds on the maggots that grow out of faecal wastes. As pro-chancellors of state Universities, they are always eager to run to Abuja to collect money from TETFUND which was brought into existence by ASUU, but they hate the union with passion. One only wonders whether some people’s consciences go on holiday when they sit down to make certain pronouncements! If we may ask further, are the perks of office that most of these pro-chancellors enjoying not centrally determined? How many of them have gone out of their ways to offer the staff of their universities higher emoluments than the slave wages that academics in Nigeria are presently receiving? Myriad of questions begging for answers from our almighty COPSON.What is expected of COPSON at this critical junction is to borrow a leaf from their colleagues at the Federal Universities by calling on the government to do the needful to address issues in ASUU demands rather than stoking the embers of a simmering blaze as they have done here. For their information, let it be stated here that ASUU is one, a thousand communique and threats from COPSON cannot break our ranks and iron resolve to see this struggle and any other one in the future to its successful end.”

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Education

JAMB releases 2024 UTME results, over 1.9m candidates participated

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has unveiled the results of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), marking the culmination of a rigorous evaluation process for aspiring tertiary education students nationwide.

JAMB’s Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, announced during a press conference held at the board’s headquarters in Bwari, situated on the outskirts of Abuja.

The examination, spanning 118 towns and boasting over 700 centers across the nation, witnessed a remarkable participation of over 1.94 million candidates.

Commencing on Friday the 19th of April and concluding on Monday the 29th of April, the UTME saw 80,810 candidates absent out of the 1,989,668 registered.

A total of 1,904,189 candidates actively engaged in the six-day examination.

Oloyede disclosed, “Out of the 1,842,464 released results, a modest 0.4% attained scores exceeding 300, while 24% achieved 50% (200/400) and above.” He further revealed that 1,402,490 candidates, constituting 76% of the total, obtained scores below 200.

In emphasising JAMB’s stance on recognising top performers, Oloyede reiterated the board’s decision not to publicise the identity of the highest-scoring candidate.

“The Board has consistently reiterated its position against disclosing the names of top-performing candidates, viewing the UTME primarily as a ranking examination considering other pivotal factors determining the minimum admissible score for tertiary institution admissions,” he affirmed.

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Victim of Ogbomoso nightclub shooting not our student – LAUTECH breaks silence

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In the aftermath of the tragic killing of Iyanda Damilola, allegedly by a police officer during a nightclub altercation in Ogbomoso, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has clarified that the victim was not a student of the institution.

Damilola, identified as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was reportedly shot dead during a fracas at a club in Ogbomoso on Monday.

Contrary to initial reports, LAUTECH’s Public Relations Officer, Akin Fadeyi, emphasized that the incident did not occur within the university premises.

“The incident occurred around 2 am. It did not occur in the institution. It happened in a club, and in LAUTECH, we don’t have a club or hotel,” stated Fadeyi during the institution’s 16th convocation ceremonies.

He further clarified, “They were fighting and the student who got killed was not our student. So, what happened had nothing to do with LAUTECH. It has nothing to do with our convocation.”

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has taken action, detaining the officers involved in the incident. According to the command spokesman, Osifeso Adewale, the officers were dispatched to the nightclub to quell a disturbance during the party.

“The incident worsened, leading to the firing of ‘warning shots’ by the officers. This led to one death,” Osifeso stated in a Thursday statement.

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The deceased’s brother, Oluwafemi Iyanda, a LAUTECH graduate, confirmed that the tragic event occurred after attending his convocation ceremony and heading to an after-party with his late sibling.

“All operatives involved in the incident including Inspr Rasheed Saheed are currently under detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku,” Osifeso added.

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UNN Suspends Lecturer Accused of Harassing Female Student

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The Management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State has taken swift action by suspending Mfonobong Udoudom, a lecturer in the General Studies Department, following allegations of sexual harassment involving a female student.

In a statement issued by the university’s spokesperson, Okwunka Omeaku, on Tuesday, it was emphasized that UNN maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct, particularly between staff and students.

Omeaku highlighted that the university has a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Policy in place to regulate interactions among its academic community.

“The management of the University of Nigeria has suspended Mr (not a Professor) Mfonobong David Udoudom, a lecturer in our General Studies division, who was caught in a video allegedly harassing a female student,” the statement read.

The suspension, effective immediately and indefinite, awaits the outcome of a disciplinary panel established by the university to investigate the incident thoroughly.

According to reports, the lecturer allegedly threatened the female student, asserting that she would not pass his course unless she acquiesced to sexual advances.

The situation escalated after the students completed an examination for the course, with the lecturer purportedly warning some female students of dire consequences if they did not comply with his demands.

The female student, in a courageous move, informed her husband of the harassment, who subsequently filed a complaint with the university authorities.

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Acting on the complaint, the university advised the student to cooperate while discreetly addressing the issue.

A viral video depicting the lecturer partially naked further fueled public outrage and prompted swift action from the university.

 

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