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Our branches remain solid, intact – Says ASUU

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Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday stated that all chapters of the Union that started the over 6-month-old strike with the Union are intact and resolute to getting what public universities need to survive and compete globally from the federal government of Nigeria.

The Union also says that lecturers in Nigerian public universities have been using their blood to run public universities and sustaining it saying that the Union will not sacrifice her members’ welfare and will resist any effort to turn intellectuals into slaves of irresponsible leadership.

The Chairman, ASUU University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Ayo Akinwole who stated this in Ibadan asked Nigerians to disregard the lies of the federal government saying the federal government is far from meeting any of the union’s seven demands.

According to the ASUU Boss, the Union gave 14-month strike notice to the federal government before commencing the strike in 2022 adding that even the effort of the Nigerian Interreligious council in 2021 yielded no results before the Union was forced to declare the strike on February 14, 2022.

“We waited for 14 months from December 2020 to February 2022 before declaring this strike. I am saying 14 months’ notice, 14months of engagements and Nigeria Inter-religious council intervened in 2021 when we would have declared the strike. We gave them one month with no results. Heroes are gone before they are appreciated but our union will not die. We will not die. We are going to be alive to see this struggle through”

Professor Akinwole disclosed that the 1.1trillion naira for the revitalisation of universities was not for lecturers in public universities and added the amount was arrived at by the Federal government through her NEEDS Assessment report on the level of decay in Nigerian public universities.

Ayoola who thanked ASUU members for sacrificing and remaining resolute to reposition public varsity education in Nigeria added that irresponsible leadership is the reason for strikes in Nigeria.

Professor Ayoola hinted that only strikes have forced the government to spend money on her universities in the last twenty-five years.

“If ASUU does not go on this struggle, there will be no university for new people to attend. In the last twenty-five years, the federal government will not spend money on their university unless ASUU goes on strike. Does that show they are responsible? I am also a parent and my children are home with me. Most lecturers have to spend their money on their students’ projects for some students to graduate. I could give you the numbers of some of my students who can tell you how much I have had to support their projects. Lecturers retain Nigerian public universities with their blood. But it is right for Nigerians to say they should die on the job. I am saying they are owing us over eight years of verified earned academic allowances. Is it ASUU only that is on strike? Some sectors (research institutes) of the nation have been on strike for 13months and the government has been paying their salaries. Is it an offence to become a lecturer in Nigerian universities? What led to the strike? It is non-responsiveness of government that led to the strike.”

Ayoola noted that the federal government is not talking about the over eight years earned academic allowances owed lecturers in public universities.

He noted that the government lied to the union severally and that the Buhari government instead of paying 220billion for meant for 2014 revitalization fund only paid 50billion to over 50 universities in the last seven years.

He said the government has to pay the balance of 170billion to university management.

The ASUU chairman further stated that UTAS has proved to be better than IPPIS yet the government that accepted that IPPIS is a fraud is insisting on going ahead with the fraud and jettisoning homegrown solutions from Nigerian intellectuals who “developed it with the check off-dues of ASUU members, donations and free services and given free of charge to the government but the government still prefers the fraudulent IPPIS imposed on them by those given them loans from the Bretton woods institutions”

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Education

WAEC: Computer-Based WASSCE Starts This Friday

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The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the commencement of its Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBWASSCE) for private candidates, starting from October 25, 2024.

The examination is set to run until December 20, 2024, according to a statement released by the council on Tuesday.

In a bid to modernise the examination process, WAEC disclosed that the CBWASSCE will be conducted in a hybrid format.

Adesina Fadekemi, the council’s spokesperson, explained that the objective or multiple-choice questions would be displayed onscreen, requiring candidates to submit their responses electronically.

However, for essay and practical questions, while the questions will also be presented digitally, candidates will still provide answers using traditional answer booklets.

Additionally, WAEC has provided an option for candidates who prefer to use the conventional Paper and Pen mode for all exam papers, catering to those not comfortable with the digital format.

The council also extended the registration deadline for the upcoming CBWASSCE to Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Candidates who miss the registration window can still take advantage of the “Walk-in-Candidate” option, allowing them to register 24 hours before their preferred paper is scheduled.

 

 

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Oyo Central Senator, Akintunde Pledges Support for Federal Polytechnic Ayede’s Growth

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The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, has reaffirmed his commitment to aiding the Federal Polytechnic Ayede in realising its full potential.

Senator Akintunde made this pledge during a courtesy visit to the institution’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.

Speaking during the visit, the lawmaker highlighted his passion for contributing to humanity, especially through the advancement of education and skills development.

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“I am part of the polytechnic system. I started at The Polytechnic, Ibadan before going to Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos. I’m a lover of knowledge and I am always striving to contribute my quota in the area of education and skills development, among others, and in the legislative assignments as my primary responsibility,” he stated.

The APC chieftain further emphasised his dedication to supporting the Polytechnic and its community, stating that leaders should be driven by a commitment to serving humanity.

He cited the legacy of Hon. Olu Afolabi, a Second Republic House of Representatives member, who was instrumental in establishing the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.

“Afolabi’s legacy remains evergreen today,” Akintunde remarked, emphasising the importance of creating lasting impacts through public service.

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As part of his developmental projects for the Oyo Central Senatorial District, Akintunde disclosed that he had procured 120 solar-powered boreholes to be installed across the 118 wards of the 11 local governments in his senatorial district, along with 10,000 solar street lights.

He assured the Federal Polytechnic Ayede that some of these solar street lights would be installed within the institution to enhance security and visibility on campus.

Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, who was represented by the acting Rector and Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Azeez Ojo, expressed gratitude to the senator.

The Rector noted that Senator Akintunde had demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropic causes even before assuming office as a senator.

“You see, it’s a great privilege receiving Distinguished Senator Yunus Akintunde and his entourage on our campus today. Out of your magnanimity, Sir, you have decided to receive us,” Ojo said, acknowledging the senator’s gesture.

“Our Rector is away to Abuja for the progress and development of our Polytechnic. So, on behalf of the Chairman of our Governing Council, Barrister Ademubowale Mercy Adelabu; Rector; other Principal Officers; Deans; Directors; staff, and students, I welcome you and your entourage to Federal Polytechnic Ayede.

“While on Brave FM, you have, before even telling us, announced the gesture of solar lights donated to us. This we appreciate with the whole of our hearts,” he said.

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The Rector assured the lawmaker that his support would be instrumental in the continued growth and development of the fast-expanding institution.

The visit concluded with the Polytechnic community expressing hope for further collaboration with the senator in the areas of educational and infrastructural development.

 

(c) Mega Icon Magazine

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Mass Exodus: 30 PhD Holders Flee Bauchi Varsity Amid ASUU’s Alarm on Poor Conditions

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised serious concerns over the mass exit of 30 PhD holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions as primary reasons for the exodus.

The worrying development was brought to light during a press conference held by ASUU on Friday, where officials of the union detailed the various challenges faced by academic staff at the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the union, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, lamented the lack of proper policies to retain top scholars, pointing out the absence of a formal employee exit policy.

“Many of our best scholars have been forced to seek better opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy said, adding that “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place, as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”

He further explained that the lack of such provisions leaves academic staff insecure about their future. “Without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel unsafe and unsure of their long-term prospects,” Timothy remarked.

In addition to these grievances, the union condemned the university’s administration for its failure to pay over 650 million naira in accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners. This has further deepened the discontent among staff members.

“Despite the university generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy disclosed.

The union also raised concerns over the sharp increase in student fees, coupled with the administration’s neglect of staff training and development.

Timothy criticised the university for imposing over a 100 percent hike in fees for regular undergraduate programmes, yet failing to address staff welfare.

“The university claims it lacks funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he stated.

ASUU also expressed displeasure with the continued tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in office since the university’s inception.

The union called for adherence to established regulations governing appointments, arguing that the prolonged tenure has stifled accountability and hindered the implementation of progressive policies.

In light of these critical issues, ASUU urged the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address staff welfare, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the payment of overdue allowances.

“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.

He further called on the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university to ensure that all contentious matters are urgently addressed, securing the future of both academic staff and the institution.

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