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Tag: Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP)

  • Poly lecturers to Buhari: sign Polytechnic Act into law

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to  signed the Polytechnic Act recently passed into law by the National Assembly for the smooth running and industrial harmony in the nation’s polytechnics.

    The union also frowned at what it described as shoddy process of appointing Rectors of some polytechnics without due diligence, saying this has become an embarrassment to the sector. The union demanded the reversal and adherence to due process in the such appointments at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State and  Ile-Oluji, Ondo State.

    In a communique at the end of its National Executive Committee meeting signed by National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Chris Nkoro, the union said failure to adhere to due process in the appointment of Rectors or the reversal of such, the union may be forced to embark on a one week strike to protest such actions.

    The communique asked the Minister of Education and the management of the National Board for Technical Education, the regulatory agency for polytechnics  to ensure that the new Polytechnic act is transmitted to the President immediately for his assent.

    While congratulating Nigerians for the success of the 2019 general election, the union said the outcome of the election is a huge leap in Nigeria’s democracy, and urged the elected ones to be magnanimous in victory.

    The polytechnic lecturers however condemned the pockets of violence in various parts of the country during the elections, particularly the loss of lives of our members in Rivers state and harassments in Bauchi and Taraba states and called on federal government to avail itself of technological gadgets to track security challenges in the country.

    They also expressed concern over the rising cases of armed banditry and kidnapping in the country, a situation they said has made people prisoners in their homes and called on government at all levels to be more alive to their responsibility of safe – guarding the lives and properties of Nigerians irrespective of social strata or creed.

    The Union said “Laws and Regulations can make or mar the progress of any organization. Noting this, the NEC is appreciates the 8th National Assembly for having passed the corrected Amendment Bill of the Polytechnics Act.

    “The NEC however, calls on the FME and NBTE to quickly facilitate the process of transmitting of and the subsequent signing of the Bill by the President, Muhammadu Buhari as soon as possible for improved productivity and best practices in the Polytechnics and Monotechnics.”

    Read Also: PDP tasks Buhari on rising insecurity

    They also at the persistent lethargic disposition of the Federal government and its agencies towards re-negotiation of FGN/ASUP agreement is utterly disappointing to the 94th NEC which views this as a ploy to cripple the system and perpetuate suffering on our members asked the government to without further delay, commence the re-negotiation process.

    It observed that while the Union had agreed on the terms of enrolling of the sector into IPPIS, some rectors have continued to use backhand ploy to enroll some institutions without recourse to our Union’s documented peculiar concerns, while asking government to promptly call these erring rectors to order.

    The union is also not happy that salary shortfalls and CONTISS 15 migration challenges which led to the suspended strike action have persisted, despite continued assurances by government that this situation has been dealt, stressing that with the conclusion of the 2019 general election, these issues would be addressed squarely by government immediately.

    The union also frowns at the conditions in State Polytechnics/Monotechnics in terms of delay in payment of salaries, arrears of promotions, and other infractions are still sources of grave concern, stressing that the situations still prevail in Abia, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Oyo, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Ekiti, Ondo and Zamfara.

    It reiterates the firm invocation of the “no salary, no accreditation” policy on the institutions concerned and further urges that all cases of victimization should be adequately redressed immediately.

    The union appeal to governments at all levels to desist from reneging on agreements and address these recurring issues in the spirit of the Union’s magnanimity in suspending the strike in February 2019, adding that by so doing, government would have shown its sincerity, humanity, altruism and responsiveness to improve the citizenry for higher industry.

  • ASUP seeks establishment of body in tertiary institutions

    The Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa Branch of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has called for the establishment of a special body to monitor finances in higher institutions in the country.

    The Chairman of the branch, Dr Yusuf Hussaini, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nasarawa, Nasarawa State on Tuesday.

    He said that establishing the body would checkmate the under-hand activities of the management of most of the tertiary institutions.

    According to him, the body will also help in improving the standard of learning in the institutions by tackling corrupt activities in the institutions.

    Hussaini said that many of the institutions were generating a lot of money but that such funds were often stolen by the management of the institutions.

    “I want to call on the government to set up a special monitory body to supervise what is coming in and how the resources are been used.

    “There is need to monitor and to ensure that resources are well managed, in order to improve the standard of education in Nigeria.”

    The unionist, however, appealed to the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocations to the education sector to discourage Nigerians from leaving the country to seek education overseas.

    “If government funds education adequately and provides science and other necessary equipment in institutions of learning, people will be encouraged to study at home rather than going overseas.

    “I believe that increase in funding of the education sector will help in addressing challenges in our institutions of learning.

    Hussaini stressed the importance of education in the development of the country, pleading with government to create the enabling environment to foster development.

    The lecturer also appealed to teachers in tertiary institutions to avoid practices capable of tarnishing their personalities and that of their institutions.

  • Kadpoly ASUP denies plot to remove Rector

    The Kaduna Polytechnic ( Kadpoly ) chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic ( ASUP ) has said that there is no plot to unseat the Rector of the institution, Professor Idris Bugaje; saying the union only gave the management a 21 working days ultimatum to meet its demands.

    Reacting to an online publication which says the Union was planning to remove the Rector of the institution, the spokesperson of the union, Abbas Muhammad explained that the Union’s Congress of April 17, 2018 only gave the management a 21 working days ultimatum to meet it’s demands for improved welfare.

    “There was never a time when removal of the Rector was contemplated. The claim by the publication that the issue has divided the union is false and baseless. ASUP Kadpoly under the leadership of Dr. Aliyu Hassan Ibrahim is intact and on same page on the need to work with the management to turn around the fortunes of the Polytechnic and any theory of division is just an imagination of some few individuals who are not comfortable with the peace witnessed in the institution,”

    The union therefore called on the general public to disregard the false publication which be described as an attempt to cause industrial disharmony in the polytechnic and create a rift between the Union and the management.  

    The chairman of the union, Dr. Aliyu H. Ibrahim also reiterated that there was never an attempt to remove Professor Bugaje, saying, “All we are demanding is purely improved welfare for our members,” he said.

  • Auchi Polytechnic joins ASUP nationwide strike

    Auchi Polytechnic joins ASUP nationwide strike

    Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic ( ASUP ) in Federal Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo State on Monday paralysed academic activities in the institution by joining in the nationwide strike called by the national leadership of the body.

    Lecture halls and offices were under lock and key when our reporter visited the campus.

    Some graduating students that were on campus for project supervision were seen leaving the campus.

    The leadership of ASUP commenced the nationwide strike to protest the non-implementation of its CONTISS 15 migration arrears, non-commencement of renegotiation of ASUP/Government agreement of 2010 and the delay in the review of the Federal Polytechnics Act, amongst other issues.

    Chairman of the Auchi Polytechnic Branch of ASUP, Mr. Justin Momodu, said his members complied with the national directive to proceed on the strike action

    Momodu said, “The Auchi branch of ASUP have complied with strike because the Federal Government has refused to meet our demands.

    “Government has not demonstrated that it is prepared to honour its agreement with ASUP.

    “We have demonstrated enough patience and if government fails to meet our demands we will remain on total trike,” he said.

    The Chairman Strike Implementation Monitoring Committee, Mr George Okosun said the committee was set up to enforce the strike.

    “This committee is set up to ensure that no lecturers or academic activities is taking place at the polytechnic.

    “Our aim to shut down lecture halls and office are closed down for any academic activities,” he said.

    Okosun said that the committee would continue to go round the institution to ensure lecturers complied with the strike directive.

  • MAPOLY upgrade: Amosun allays fears of students

    MAPOLY upgrade: Amosun allays fears of students

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun says the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic ( MAPOLY ), Abeokuta, will continue to run its normal academic programmes in  the next four years.

    Amosun also dismissed insinuations that the institution had gone into extinction following its upgrade to a university.

    He made the clarification when he spoke to protesting students under the aegis of National Association of Nigeria Students ( NANS ), Ogun chapter, at the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office in Abeokuta.

    The state government recently upgraded MAPOLY to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology ( MAUSTECH ).

    It also created Ogun State Polytechnic to be located at Ipokia area of the state.

    Placard carrying students marched from Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ( NNPC ) on Abiola Way to the Governor’s Office in protest.

    The demonstration was christened “Rescue Ogun State Education Campaign.”

    Some of the placards had inscriptions which read: “Save Ogun State Education”, “Education must survive” and “Mapoly must survive.”

    Amosun also said he would discuss with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic ( ASUP ) on the problems in the institution.

    He explained that students running various programmes at different levels would complete their studies and would not be taken to Ipokia.

    Amosun, however, said that there would not be automatic appointment for the aggrieved lecturers in both the university and the new polytechnic.

    “I am not happy because this is my school. What is happening today is because those that have been given the privilege to serve us are not serving well.

    “Everybody here will finish their courses; it will take four years before MAPOLY will go into extinction.

    “You are not going to Ipokia. If the lecturers don’t want that, we will sort them out.

    “We will seek for new lecturers for the university and the new polytechnic.

    “Mapoly lecturers are not comfortable with it. I said the appointment they have is for MAPOLY, for the new university, they will have to reapply.

    “If they are qualified, they can take them. I will ask the commissioner to meet them again,’’ he said.

    On the delayed examination, the governor stressed that the lecturers should explain why they decided to hold the students to ransom.

    He argued that the reason should not be because the state government created a new school.

    “We are only admitting ND1, if you have carryover, you are going to Ipokia. I told them (management), don’t admit new students to MAPOLY,” he said.

    He added that education would be free at the primary and secondary schools, adding that government would need to subsidise tertiary education.

    The governor said the state government was working hard to improve the standard and quality of education in the state.

    Earlier, Olawale Balogun, the NANS Chairman in Ogun, explained that the students were not happy with the standard of education in the state.

    Balogun urged the government to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

    He specifically mentioned the delay in the commencement of   examination at MAPOLY, saying the action would affect the career of the students.

    Balogun also decried the cancellation of the payment of Senior School Certificate Examination fee and the hike in the acceptance fee of Olabisi Onabanjo University ( OOU ), Ago-Iwoye.

    Meanwhile, the Rector of the school, Prof. Oladele Itiola, has proceeded on his terminal leave.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, announced the appointment of  Mr Ayodeji Salimon  as the Acting Rector of the school.

    NAN

  • LASPOTECH workers begin indefinite strike

    LASPOTECH workers begin indefinite strike

    Academic and administrative activities were paralysed on Wednesday at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) as workers of the institution down began an indefinite strike on Aug. 1.

    A copy of the strike notice by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), LASPOTECH chapter, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the strike was with effect from Aug. 1.

    The notice said the strike would “remain indefinite, total and comprehensive until the demands of the unions were met’’.

    NAN reports that the strike also affected other sister unions of ASUP — the Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnic (SSANIP).

    The notice said the unions resumed their suspended strike due to a failure by the institution’s management to meet their demands following a month grace given.

    According to the notice, the Lagos State Government had intervened in the strike by the unions through the House of Assembly Committee on Education and that was why it was suspended then.

    “Congress had unanimously resolved that the committee that was to be set up by the House Committee on Education to find a lasting solution to the issues of migration arrears be given till 31st July 2017.

    “Failure of which the union will resume its suspended strike without notice.

    “It is rather sad to inform you that after the committee has identified substantial amount to pay 12 months as the first tranche, the management turned in a document from National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) to truncate an already laid process for payment,’’ it said.

    According to the notice, the same authentic documents which the union presented to the press on the migration arrears are the same the management now mischievously flaunt to foot-drag and frustrate all resolutions on the payment.

    “The flaunted documents, if allowed to fly, will cause more harm than good, it is going to affect us all from number one person to the least cleaner and this we have warned them about.

    “As it stands, dear comrades, if by 12 midnight, the 12 months arrears in the first tranche is not paid, the strike will resume on Aug. 1; it is indefinite, total and comprehensive,’’ it said.

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Head, Public Relations Unit, LASPOTECH, Mr Oluwasola Erinoso, confirmed to NAN that the strike had commenced.

    Erinoso said that while the strike was suspended a month ago following the intervention of the House Committee on Education, an in-house committee to proffer a solution was set-up.

    He said the in-house committee comprised of members of the House Committee on Education, the management team and the union members.

    Erinoso said talk was still ongoing on how to pay the outstanding arrears and the process for the payment before the union resumed the strike on Aug. 1.

    He, however, appealed to the unions to go back to dialogue with the management so that all the outstanding issues would be resolved and normalcy restored in the institution.

  • Obaseki threatens to sack non-performing Governing Councils

    Obaseki threatens to sack non-performing Governing Councils

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has threatened to sack any Governing Councils of the state owned tertiary institutions that failed to perform.

    Obaseki said any Council that could not meet simple obligations of salary payment would be removed and replaced.

    Obaseki stated this when he played host to executives of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Edo Polytechnic chapter.

    Governor Obaseki who assured them that his administration would pay the 10-month salary arrears owed them promised to enforce prompt salary payment in the institution.

    He promised to set up a committee to identify the cause of the institution problems and find ways to solve them

    “Most of the challenges faced by the Institution are not new to this administration. We have reflected on the issues and the position of this administration is to depart from the old ways of trading blames or doing things. Instead, we’ll work to ensure that things are done differently to take us away from the past.

    “We will have an agreement with you on the structure and modalities the school will be operating with, and also take a critical look at the masterplan of the school to get the commitment of both the students and staff of the institution and ensure the progress of the School. Any Council that cannot meet the obligation of payment of staff salaries will be removed and replaced. I want to assure you that your issue will be resolved this month, after which I will hold you responsible for any problems that surface in the institution again”.

    Spokesman of the institution ASUP, Mr. Edobor Sunday, drew the governor’s attention to issues, including promotion of staff, none payment of workers’ salaries spanning 10 months and the need to increase subvention to the school to help accredit some of its courses.

    Edobor added non-payment of promotion arrears, and the appointment of a substantive rector for the Institution amongst others problems facing the institution.

     

  • Accreditation: Plateau govt releases N200m to its Polytechnic

    The Plateau Government says it has approved the release of N200 million for the accreditation of courses in its Polytechnic.

    Gov. Simon Lalong said this on Wednesday, while declaring open, the 87th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), in Jos.

    Lalong, who was represented by Prof. John Wade, Director of Research and Documentation, Government House, noted that most of the courses offered by the institution were not accredited.

    “The non-accreditation of the courses poses a set-back for both the institution and its graduates.

    “We have approved the release of N200 million to the Polytechnic for the accreditation and re-accreditation of courses at the National and Higher National Diploma levels.

    “We will ensure the release of the approved funds so that the accreditation exercise will be completed within the second quarter of 2017,” he assured.

    Lalong said that government had also approved the 65-years retirement age for academic staff of all tertiary institutions, adding that salary structures of the institutions were being reviewed and would be harmonised.

    Earlier, ASUP National President, Mr Umar Dutse, had commended the Plateau Government for the peace so far achieved in the state.

    “We are happy that peace has returned to the state. If it were in the past few years we, we wouldn’t have held this meeting here,” he said.

    The National President also thanked the government for clearing the backlog of salaries owed its members, and urged government to expedite action on the accreditation of courses in the institution to avoid being de-listed from the body of Polytechnics in the country.

    He called on the government to lift the ban on employment so as to address the manpower deficit being experienced in the Polytechnic.

    “Information available to us shows that since 2006, no single academic staff was employed in this Polytechnic. This is not healthy for an institution of this magnitude,” he said.

     

  • Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Workers of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo State have suspended their one month old strike.

    The workers were directed by their various unions to return to work.

    Unions that went on strike in the polytechnic were Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP).

    The unions embarked on the strike over failure of institution’s management to enroll staff of the institution on “CONTISS 15 Migration Salary Structure for Level 11 downward, non-payment of promotion arrears and alleged indebtedness of N1.8billion owed the unions.

    In a communiqué jointly issued after a Joint Action Congress (JAC) meeting the unions directed all staff of the institution to resume their duties.

    The communiqué was signed by Abdulganiyu Braimah (ASUP) Omonekhai Shaka (SSANIP) Solomon Aliabakhalumhe (NASU).

    According to the communique, “Sequel to the deliberations and resolutions reached at the inaugural meeting between the new management led by Dr. Sanusi Jimah and the executive member of the joint unions ASUP, SSANIP and NASU.

    “The current strike embarked upon by the unions on February 6 to press home our demands, we hereby suspend the strike as workers are directed to resume their duties.”

     

  • Auchi Poly: Management sets up committee to resolve union issues

    Auchi Poly: Management sets up committee to resolve union issues

    The management of Federal Polytechnic Auchi has set up a 9-man committee to resolve the disputes between the management and the staff union of the school.

    It would be recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (NASUP), and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria polytechnic (SSANP) embarked on an indefinite strike from 6th of February 2017, demanding the payment of their unremitted deduction amounting to 1.8 Billion Naira.

    The school management on Tuesday posted a circular which read “The Extended Management Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, deliberated on the on-going strike action by the Staff Unions of Auchi Polytechnic. Consequently, the committee appointed a 9-man mediation committee to resolve the dispute between the Management and the Staff Unions.” Members of mediation committee are:

    MR.G.E OKPEODUA (CHAIRMAN), DR.D AHMED (MEMBER), DR.OZIEGBE ODION (MEMBER), DR.F.C CHETE (MEMBER), ENGR (MRS) OYATI EDIT (MEMBER), MRS.M.A IGBAFE (MEMBER), BARR.M.A GURUBA (MEMBER), DR.VICTOR DIBUA (MEMBER), MR.G.E IHIONKHAN (MEMBER/SECRETARY).

    Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, the Rector of the institution Engr Jafaru Buraimah said the committee is expected to present a report to the management latest on Friday and if positive, the school will be reopened immediately for the commencement of academic activities, he also added that the management is keeping in touch with the President of the Student Union Government (SUG) Samson okoduga.

    “We are meeting with them constantly and will update them on how far we have gone with the negotiation with the Union,” he said

    By Aisosa Agbondimwin