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Osinbajo: I’m Not Leading Negotiations with ASUU

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Forty-eight hours after an announcement that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had taken over the negotiations with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the former university don yesterday declared the information as untrue.

The union had on August 14 embarked on indefinite strike, citing the federal government’s failure to implement its agreement with it in 2009.

On August 29, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, had announced that the strike action embarked upon by the lecturers would be discussed at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the following day.

Indeed, at the end of the meeting on Wednesday, Ngige while briefing State House correspondents said the government was committed to ending the strike embarked upon by ASUU.

Consequently, he said FEC had assigned Osinbajo to take charge of some aspects of the negotiations with the university lecturers, disclosing that relevant government officials would later proceed to the vice-president’s office that day for a meeting after which he said government decision would be communicated to the lecturers.

This information looked cheery to the generality of Nigerians who had confidence in the ability of the vice-president to quickly strike a deal with the aggrieved lecturers within a brief period.

Those who held this view predicated their optimism on the vice-president’s handling of the state of the nation at two different times when President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on medical treatment of an undisclosed ailment in the United Kindgom.

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For instance, the vice-president’s intervention in the unrest in Niger Delta which led to the destruction of various oil installations and drastically brought down the volume of oil production in the country put paid to the activities of the restive youths.

Besides, it was also believed that the vice-president being a former lecturer who might have also had his own fair share of the current agitations of members of ASUU would handle the matter with a sense of sincerity in a way that the lecturers could be easily placated.

But yesterday, the vice-president pored cold water in that optimism when denied being named as head of the federal government’s negotiating team, saying the submission of Ngige might have been misrepresented.

A statement by his spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, said the vice-president only had a discussion with Ngige and his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu after last Wednesday’s FEC meeting, explaining that both ministers remain the leaders of government’s negotiations with the union.

“News reports that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is now leading Federal Government negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU is inaccurate.

“Media reports seemed to have misrepresented what Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige meant when he spoke with reporters about the negotiations after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

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“The Vice President had a discussion after FEC with both the Labour Minister and Education Minister Malam Adamu Adamu around the issues, but has not taken over the negotiations as widely reported. Both Ministers will continue to lead the FG- ASUU talks.

“The Federal Government continues to diligently pursue a prompt resolution of this dispute and is confident the matter would be resolved,” the statement said.

However, this fresh development has been viewed as a setback for the move to quickly end the strike in view of the perception that the vice-president’s antecedents as well as his academic background might facilitate moves to end the strike.

While announcing ASUU strike on August 13, its National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the strike had become imminent in view of the frustrations his colleagues were going through which he said had exhausted their patience.

He therefore viewed the strike as the last option to press home their demands.

“Our members across the country were getting increasingly frustrated, distracted and disenchanted. It became evident that their patience had been tasked beyond reasonable limits and government’s insensitivity imposed severe burden on the leadership of the union

“Consequently, based on a nationwide consultation with our members, an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU rose on Saturday, 12th August, 2017 with a resolution to embark on an indefinite strike action starting from Sunday, 13th

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Education

Don Pushes for B.Tech to Empower Polytechnic Graduates

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Dr. Taofeek Abdul-hameed, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider replacing the Higher National Diploma (HND) with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) to address educational disparities and benefit indigent students nationwide.

Abdul-Hameed, speaking on behalf of a league of Rectors, during a live radio programme in Ibadan recently, emphasised the need to eliminate the dichotomy between Polytechnic and University education, asserting that both students and lecturers at Polytechnics are equally competent.

He argued that technical skills and entrepreneurship play a crucial role in a nation’s economic development, citing China and the United Arab Emirates as examples.

Highlighting the Polytechnics’ emphasis on practical skills and entrepreneurship, the don stressed the scarcity of white-collar jobs, advocating for equipping students with practical skills for self-employment after graduation.

“The way out is for the president to assent to the bill and cancel the HND to B.Tech programme, or else the disparity will continue. We hope that President Bola Tinubu signs the bill soon since the last administration failed to do so,” Abdul-Hameed remarked.

 

Commending the Federal Government for the approved Student Loan initiative, the Rector emphasised the importance of making education accessible to indigent students.

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He suggested low tuition fees and interest-free loans, asserting that skill acquisition should be an integral part of education to enable students to repay loans through acquired skills.

“As long as students receive loans from their institutions, they should be equipped with skill acquisitions so that they can pay back after 2 years or graduation. I want to believe that 2 years are sufficient for students, and if not, the government can consider renewing or extending the loan period,” Abdul-Hameed concluded.

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Education

KWASU Students Arrested for Allegedly Beating Peer to Death

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Four unidentified undergraduate students of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, are facing serious legal consequences after being apprehended for their alleged involvement in the fatal beating of a fellow student.

The tragic incident transpired penultimate week within one of the private hostels located outside the university premises. The assailants reportedly targeted the victim, whose identity remains undisclosed at this time, accusing him of surreptitiously filming them.

According to an account from a student who spoke with Channels Television, the victim succumbed to the severe injuries inflicted during the assault. The motives behind the alleged filming and subsequent attack are yet to be fully understood.

Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the distressing event on Friday, stating, “The alleged culprits were four but I cannot confirm their names now. They have been arrested while an investigation is still ongoing over the matter.”

 

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Education

Oyo: Oseni pays WAEC fees of indigent students, begins free JAMB registration

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The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for 300 indigent students in the federal constituency.

Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced the collection of data from eligible constituents in fulfillment of its 2024 free JAMB registration programme.

It will be recalled that the lawmaker at the stakeholders meeting and mega empowerment held last year December said under his education support scheme he will be providing free WAEC and JAMB registration for underprivileged students in the constituency

According to him, “Supporting education is crucial for securing the future of our constituency. Initiatives such as scholarships, tuition fee support, and free WAEC and JAMB registration will be introduced to ease the financial burden on students. Ensuring access to quality education is essential for nurturing the next generation of leaders.

“ Therefore, I am proud to announce that, starting in 2024, under the Remi Oseni Education Support Scheme, I will provide free WAEC and JAMB registration for students in the constituency. Additionally, the Remi Oseni Scholarship Award will be offered to less privileged children, ensuring robust support for all students at every level, including scholarships and tuition fee payment”.

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The APC chieftain, in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, on Sunday, in Ibadan, noted that he is committed to investing in the future of the younger generation through education and other programmes that will boost their morale in pursuing a worthy future.

It further explained that eligible constituents of Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency are expected to visit the Remi Oseni Constituency Office Ologuneru, Ibadan with their WAEC/NECO certificates, local government identification certificate (Ibarapa East/Ido local government) to get the free JAMB registration forms to register their data/details.

“It is important to emphasise that recipients of the free JAMB registration must provide clear evidence of residing and having received education in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency. The registration commenced on Friday, February 2, 2024, and will conclude on Thursday, February 8, 2024. Eligible students are required to visit the constituency office between 9 am and 6 pm,” the statement reiterated.

Oseni, however, reassured the constituents of more dividends of democracy and quality representation.

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