Education
Education: ASUU extends strike by four weeks
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has again extended the ongoing strike by four weeks.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noted that the decision was to give the government enough time to resolve all outstanding issues with the lecturers.
Osodeke informed that the body conveyed an emergency National Executive Committee meeting of the association at the University of Abuja on Sunday, adding that the extension is with immediate effect on August 1.
The statement read, “Following extensive deliberations and taking cognisance of Government’s past failures to abide by its own timelines in addressing issues raised in the 2020 FGN/ASUU Memorandum of Action (MOA), NEC resolved that the strike be rolled over for four weeks to give Government more time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues. The roll-over strike action is with effect from 12.01 am on Monday, 1st August 2022.
“An emergency meeting of the National Executive Council of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja, on Sunday, 31st July 2022. The meeting was called to review developments since NEC’s resolution to extend its roll-over strike action by another 12 weeks with effect from May 2022.
“The NEC meeting took place against the backdrop of government’s obligations as spelled out in the Memorandum of Action (MOA) it signed with ASUU on 23rd December 2020. Specifically, NEC recalled the government’s failure to conclude the process of renegotiating the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, deploy the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), pay outstanding arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), release the agreed to sum of money for the revitalization of public universities (Federal and States), address proliferation and governance issues in State Universities, settle promotion arrears, release withheld salaries of academics, and pay outstanding third-party deductions led to the initial declaration of the roll-over strike on 14th February 2022.
“NEC viewed with seriousness the recent directive given by the President and Visitor to all Federal Universities that the Minister of Education, in consultation with other government officials, should resolve the lingering crisis and report to him within two weeks. The Union wonders why it had taken five full months and needless muscle-flexing for government to come to the realisation of the need for honest engagement.
“NEC acknowledged the growing understanding of the issues and the groundswell of support for the Union’s principled demand for globally competitive university education in Nigeria. Nigerian universities must not be reduced to constituency projects that merely exist on paper and our scholars must be incentivised to stay back and do what they know best, here in Nigeria.
“NEC appreciated the historic nationwide protest of 26th and 27th July 2022 organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to further create awareness on the antics of the Nigerian ruling class to destroy public education. ASUU renews its commitment to the struggles of NLC in championing the cause of the working and suffering Nigerians.
“NEC observed that non-signing of the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement more than one month after it was concluded by Professor Nimi Briggs-led Committee is further tasking the patience of ASUU members nationwide.
“NEC further observed that the ongoing trial of the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Ahmed Idris, on allegation of monumental fraud has vindicated ASUU’s rejection of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS). The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is enjoined to release reports of the latest tests on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) vis-a-vis IPPIS without further delay. ASUU shall resist any attempt to truncate the deployment of UTAS with all legitimate means available to the Union.
“NEC noted that cumulative indifference by the political class gave vent to a pervasive atmosphere of insecurity which now threatens the seamless provision of educational services in the country. The unceremonious closure of educational institutions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the recent attack on Presidential Guards, betrays a panicky measure to addressing a malignant ailment. Nothing short of a comprehensive overhaul of the security architecture of the country will sustainably address the problem”, the statement concluded.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo state has announced a scholarship scheme for brilliant yet financially disadvantaged students from the constituency attending various tertiary institutions nationwide, with the exception of private institutions.
The “Remi Oseni Scholarship Award Scheme,” which is one of the contributions of the lawmaker toward educational advancement, is aimed at providing financial assistance to talented and deserving students within the constituency, enabling them to pursue their academic aspirations more easily.
The launch of this scholarship scheme is a welcomed development for students and families in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal constituency, many of whom struggle with financial constraints in accessing quality education.
In a statement released on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan and made available to journalists, Oseni emphasised the transformative power of education and the importance of investing in the future leaders of the constituency.
“Education is the bedrock of development, and by investing in our students, we are investing in the future prosperity of our constituency and our nation as a whole,” Oseni stated.
Under his Education Support Scheme introduced earlier to alleviate financial burdens on parents and students, Oseni’s office provided free WAEC registration to 292 indigent students and free JAMB registration to 602 wards earlier this year.
“Now, the focus is on supporting financially disadvantaged students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria at all levels. I see this scholarship as a beacon of hope for our ambitious youth who are determined to excel but lack the necessary financial means”, the lawmaker said.
Oseni reiterated his commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to the people in his constituency, aimed at adding value to their lives.
Interested applicants can obtain details on how to apply for the scholarship scheme through the constituency office at Ologuneru, Ibadan, and the lawmaker’s official social media channels. Eligibility criteria and application procedures have been clearly outlined to ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process.
Click Here To Apply Now: Scholarship Scheme for Ibarapa East/Ido Students
President Bola Tinubu has directed a thorough review of the recently unveiled governing boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, prior to their inauguration and retreat.
The move comes in response to public feedback indicating a lack of adequate representation and adherence to the principle of federal character.
The Federal Ministry of Education had recently unveiled the list of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. However, concerns were raised regarding the geographical spread of the nominations, with some states receiving disproportionately few nominations compared to others.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, it was emphasised that President Tinubu is committed to upholding the principle of federal character as enshrined in the constitution. The review will aim to rectify any imbalances and ensure equitable representation across all regions of the country.
The directive for a comprehensive review comes following criticism from the Bauchi zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which expressed dissatisfaction with the composition of the governing boards.
They advocated for the reinstatement of the previously dissolved members, highlighting the need for inclusivity and fair representation.
The inauguration and retreat for the nominees, initially scheduled for 31st May, will be postponed pending the outcome of the review process.
The Kaduna State government has unveiled plans to merge 359 schools in response to escalating banditry and insecurity, which have led to numerous cases of abduction and kidnapping across the state.
Speaking at a stakeholders forum and the training session of the Schools’ Protection Squad, Governor Uba Sani, represented by his Chief of Staff, Sani Kila, emphasised the need for decisive measures to protect schools and children from bandit attacks.
The merger will involve consolidating schools in vulnerable communities with those located in safer areas.
Kila highlighted the significance of the newly launched School Protection Squad, part of the Federal Government’s Safe School Initiative, aimed at safeguarding educational institutions, children, and teachers from various forms of attacks orchestrated by bandits and terrorists.
Acknowledging Kaduna’s relentless battle against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities, Kila expressed concern over the disruptive impact of non-state actors on socio-economic activities. He underscored the threat these activities pose to the state’s educational revitalisation programme.
The governor’s representative raised alarm over the crisis of declining school enrollment in Kaduna, citing a drastic drop of over 200,000 primary school pupils in the 2022/2023 academic session compared to the previous year.
This decline, he attributed primarily to insecurity, particularly in areas such as Chikun, Birnin Gwari, Kajuru, Giwa, and Igabi, where insecurity has forced school consolidation, exacerbating the number of out-of-school children.
Kila stressed the critical role of ensuring the safety and security of schools in achieving human capital development goals and sustainable development.
He lauded the Federal Government for launching the N144.8 billion safe schools financing plan and the establishment of the Schools Protection Squad, aimed at enhancing security and safety in educational institutions nationwide.
In addition to merging schools in conflict-prone areas with safer locations, the Kaduna State government is implementing various measures to strengthen school security, including fencing, establishment of security committees, deployment of vigilance services, provision of emergency lines, and security awareness training for staff and community members.
Kila expressed hope that the capacity-building programme would equip participants with the necessary skills to navigate challenging security situations and foster strategic communication to win the hearts and minds of citizens in conflict-affected communities.
He emphasised the importance of regular engagement between security forces and community leaders to enhance collaboration and trust-building efforts.
-
News6 days agoPastor Halts Tithes, Offerings to Aid Congregation During Economic Hardship
-
Education1 week ago
Oyo: Oseni Launches Scholarship Scheme for Ibarapa East/Ido Students {APPLY NOW}
-
News5 days ago
Oyo: I’ll fulfill all campaign promises – Oseni reassures
-
News1 week ago
Rivers Govt. Allocates N19.5bn for Assembly Chambers Reconstruction
