The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

  • ASUU to FG: Pay our salary arrears before July

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has urged the Federal Government to pay the outstanding arrears of its members not later than July 2017.

    The ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, stated this during a news conference at the University of Abuja on Wednesday.

    Ogunyemi said that ASUU insisted on a framework for paying any part of the “Earned Academic Allowances” (EAA) arrears.

    According to him, the Federal Government is owing academics in federal universities unpaid allowances of not less than N128 billion.

    He explained that the executive arm of government initially insisted that there would be no further release of funds to the universities until there was a forensic audit.

    “In view of this, the union rose from its NEC meeting at the Bayero University Kano observing that the particular issue of EAA cannot be meaningfully addressed unless within an agreed framework.

    “Hence the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU resolved that all outstanding arrears of EAA should be paid not later than July 2017.

    “The decision of ASUU-NEC on the issue of EAA has since been communicated to the Minister of Education, Senate President and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund,’’ he said.

    The president also observed the non-release of the Operational Licensing of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).

    Ogunyemi noted that the company had met the minimum requirements for registration as Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).

    He said that the failure of PENCOM to release the operational license of NUPEMCO as a PFA had created the feeling of insecurity and loss of confidence among retirees in the system.

    “The non-release of NUPEMCO’s operational license in an arm-twisting tactic to frustrate our members and forcefully get them enlisted into some Pension-Fund Administrators (PFAs).

    “The PFA cartel appears determined to abort the process of NUPEMCO licensing which started more than four years ago.”

    He, however, insisted that such was unacceptable to ASUU, saying “it is against the right to choice”.

    The president noted that the 2013 MoU signed with the Federal Government on Funding for the Revitalisation of public universities had not been released as agreed.

    “The MoU stipulates that N200 billion would be released in 2013 for massive injection of funds to reposition Nigerian public universities for global competition.

    “Thereafter, N220 billion is to be released for subsequent five years, adding up to N1.3 trillion by 2018, not a single kobo has been released up till date.”

     

  • UNILORIN VC debunks allegations of corrupt practices

    Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin has debunked allegations of corrupt practices levelled against the university administration, saying many people were not aware of the universities procedures.

     

    Ambali stated his position in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

     

    The vice-chancellor said that the university followed laid down guidelines in appointments of staff, payment of entitlements to principal officers and reappointment of principal officers.

     

    The don, however, expressed concern that many people in the university community were not familiar with these laid down guidelines and felt cheated for one reason or the other.

     

    “ In respect of appointments, all appointments are based on rules and regulations governing the appointment.

     

    “ Any request for engagement within the university are sent to the Heads of Department, who comment based on their own rules and regulations within the department; they either approve or disapprove.

     

    “We send a letter of apology to the applicant but if they approve we continue the process of the engagement; first at temporary level before the appointment is ratified along the way.

     

    “ Unfortunately, people are not very conversant with the rules and regulations governing all these things,” he said.

     

    The vice-chancellor also explained that for the entitlement of vice-chancellors and former vice-chancellors the management followed what the rules and regulations governing the campus stipulated.

     

    According to him, sitting principal officers who are serving, when their tenure ends and they want to return to the university, they will have to revert to their former status before their appointment for example vice-chancellor.

     

    Ambali added that such a person would also be paid the salary of the new position which off course would not be up to what they earned in their previous position.

     

    He explained that all contracts awarded by the institution followed due processes.

     

    NAN reports that some officers of the South-West Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had accused the University of pension fund fraud running into N2.5 billion and called on the anti-graft agency to institute a probe into the matter.

     

    The allegations listed in the petition included pension fraud, unremitted deductions, extortion from students, contract inflation and kick-backs; as well as unlawful payments to ex-principal officers of the university.

     

    However, Mr Kunle Akogun, the institution’s Head of Corporate Affairs, also described the allegation as “largely empty merely rehashed to make it look real.

     

    Akogun described those behind the petition as “ enemies of progress,’’ who are aghast at the pace of progress and continual giant strides being daily recorded by the university where transparency, honesty, accountability and due process were the key elements of administration.

     

    According to him, there is nothing new in the allegations contained in the petition.

     

    “The same fellows made the same allegations in August last year while shamefacedly kicking against the nationally acknowledged well-merited appointment of Prof. Oloyede as the Registrar of JAMB.

     

    “And of course, no one took them seriously, as even President Muhammadu Buhari, who is well-known for his zero tolerance for corruption, is not unaware of the due diligence credentials of the successive administrations of the University of Ilorin,” he said.

  • Strike: Adamawa State University threatens to stop salaries indefinitely

    Strike: Adamawa State University threatens to stop salaries indefinitely

    The Management of Adamawa State University (ADSU), Mubi, on Monday threatened to stop indefinitely, the salaries of members of staff who failed to resume duty.

    The Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr Moses Zaruwa, issued the threat in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.

    Zaruwa told NAN that the university management would also invoke the “no work, no pay policy” on defaulters and appealed to the union members to close ranks and work for the common good of the institution.

    He said that the management had directed all members of staff to sign an attendance register upon resumption.

    According to him, signing the register will enable to determine the real members of staff of the university, adding that defaulters would have themselves to blame.

    “Today marks another milestone in the history of the struggle as far as unionism is concerned.

    “At last, the striking colleagues have returned to work and opted for continuous dialogue and I am happy that the resumption is quite impressive.

    “I am urging all the factions to close ranks and work for the common goal of making the university an enviable one.

    “At the level of management, we have opened our register for the resuming members of staff. The collection of their signatures will determine who our staff are.

    “At the end of the exercise, the management will not hesitate to stop the salaries of defaulting staff,’’ the vice chancellor said.

    Meanwhile, in a separate interview, Dr Khalid Bello, a Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) factions in the institution, told NAN that the union considered the interest of the students above their personal interest.

    Bello, however, said that the union would continue to engage management in dialogue, saying that it is the best means of achieving collective demands.

    Similarly, Mr Hamman Adama, a unionist, said that the prolonged strike was needless, considering the current economic situation.

    NAN recalls that the academic and non-academic staff of the university had embarked on an indefinite strike since January over their demand for the payment of academic allowances and improved funding of the university.

  • Factional ASUU Adamawa orders students to resume March 13

    Dr Khalid Bello-led factional of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adamawa State University, Mubi, has directed students to return to school on Monday March 13.

    Bello, who gave the directive when he briefed newsmen in Yola on Thursday, said that the union had concluded all modalities to suspend the three-month-old strike.

    He advised the public to disregard any communication from the Abubakar Song-led executive, adding that their activities were not in the best interest of the union and the general public.

    Bello warned Song-led Exco from further polarising the union in the university, insisting that he was the legitimate chairman of the union.

    “I am constrained to address you today over recent happenings in some sections of the media, where Abubakar Song was addressed as ADSU ASUU Chairman so as to correct the erroneous and mischievous impressions being created about the union activities in the university.

    “I have restrained myself from joining issues with those making uncomplimentary comments about issue concerning the union.

    “I know that all right thinking Nigerians can see through the plot being employed to divert attention from the real issues at stake and to denigrate Congress men and Women of ADSU in the eyes of the public.

    “I am also appealing to the members of ADSU community to disregard any communication emanating from Song-led Exco, all correspondence should be directed to me from today henceforth.

    “I shall not hesitate to wile the big stick on any erring member. Song has lost any legitimacy he thinks he has. The majority of ADSU academics stand with me now.

    Members should equally disregard empty threat by Song-led Exco threatening to sanction any erring member and compiling names of erring members to forward to the National body for disciplinary actions.

    “The National is not the employer of any union member and unionism is voluntary devoid of threat to its members.

    “I have directed that the university management hence forth to pays future and check off dues to me.

    “Students of ADSU should get prepared to return to school as from next week. We are going to cooperate with the state government, Council and management to put an end to this madness,’ Bello declared.

    NAN reports that the Song-led Exco had urged the members to disregard Bello’s faction as the union had no splinter group.

    NAN recalls that ASUU had embarked on an indefinite strike since Jan. 3 to protest non-reconstitution of the management and payment of academic earned allowance.

    NAN also reports that the union thereafter splinted into two factions as the Song-led faction insists that the strike continues, while Bello’s faction opted for dialogue. 

     

  • LAUTECH lecturers suspend strike

    LAUTECH lecturers suspend strike

    Lecturers at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso have suspended their eight months old strike.

    Dr Biodun Olaniran, Chairman, LAUTECH chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), announced the suspension of the strike in a statement on Wednesday in Ogbomoso.

    ASUU said that the strike was suspended following the union’s congress held on Tuesday at the university.

    “After comparing the demands of the union and what the management has met out of the demands, and after extensive deliberations on the struggle so far, the union has resolved to suspend the strike immediately,” Olaniran said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institution had been shut since the lecturers went on strike eight months ago.

    The union had embarked on the strike over unpaid salaries and allowances, as well as the failure of the owner states of Oyo and Osun to release subventions to the institution.

    LAUTECH Vice Chancellor, Prof. Seleiman Gbadegesin, recently told newsmen that the two owner state governments had paid N584 million out of the N7.6 billion they owed the institution.

    NAN reports that the owner states had in October 2016 set up a visitation panel in their efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

    The panel, headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), has submitted its report.

  • ASUU opposes financial autonomy for Nasarawa State University

    ASUU opposes financial autonomy for Nasarawa State University

    Nasarawa State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is opposed to the financial autonomy granted the institution by the state government.

    The chairman of the chapter, Dr Nghargbu K’tso, said this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call on the state House of Assembly Committee on Education in Lafia.

    K’tso said that the union opposed the financial autonomy because the university “is a public institution’’ that should be properly funded by the state government.

    He appealed to the Assembly to ensure that institution was properly funded to improve its standard of education and for the overall development of the state.

    “We appeal to you to use your good office to increase funding of the education sector in the state, particularly the state university subvention, because the budget is passing through you.

    “This is to make the university compete with other universities favourably.

    “We are also demanding that there should be a review of the law establishing the university by allowing the management of the university to serve single term of five years, not four years renewable.

    “This will encourage excellence and productivity,’’ he said.

    According to K’tso, ASUU says no to financial autonomy because the institution is a social service sector which belongs to the public.

    “We do not know of any public university that has financial autonomy,’’ he said.

    Responding, Mr Daniel Oga-Ogazi, chairman of the committee, assured ASUU that the Assembly, in partnership with the state government, was addressing problems in the education sector in the state.

    The lawmaker promised that the Assembly would continue to enact laws that had direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.

     

  • ASUU lists conditions to resume academic activities in LAUTECH

    ASUU lists conditions to resume academic activities in LAUTECH

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso chapter, on Monday gave its conditions for ending the ongoing industrial action at the institution.

    Dr Biodun Olaniran, the Chairman of the union, told newsmen in Ogbomoso that meeting the conditions would end the crisis.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the management of the institution had announced Friday for re-opening after it had been shut for eight months.

    But ASUU rejected the resumption date, declaring that it had not called off its industrial action which began on Sept. 19, 2016.

    Olaniran stated that while the school had resumed, academic activities were yet to commence  as a result of the ongoing strike.

    He said that the impasse could be resolved  through  transparent commitment, urging government to demonstrate honesty of purpose.

    Olaniran urged the government to clearly state a plan of sustainable funding pattern or framework for the university.

    “Government should provide an agreeable plan of defraying the indebtedness of the outstanding N7.1 billion to the university.

    “They should issue a clear commitment to the settlement of arrears of sundry allowances accumulated over the years,’’ he said.

    The ASUU chairman stated that refusal to pragmatically and honestly address the demands could deepen the crises.

    “Salary is not the real issue. Our major demand borders most on the funding of the institution.

    “Internally Generated Revenue can never be a substitute to the funding of the university,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Dr Ade Adejumo, the Zonal Coordinator, Ibadan Zone of ASUU, stated that the union would not go back on its demands until they were met.

    Adejumo, who said that the government had  only paid N500 million out of the N7.6 billion outstanding arrears,  added:

    “None of our members is pensionable if he or she is relieved of the job today.

    “We have cried that universities cannot sustain itself on IGR.

    “The development is in the public domain and it will be irresponsible of us if we resume without achieving our demands.’’

    Meanwhile, some students of the institution have appealed to their striking lecturers, the management and owner-governments to resolve the crisis.

    Miss Rukayat Aremo, a 500 level student of Agricultural Science, appealed to the striking lecturers to put  the plight of the students  into consideration.

    Another student, Yahya Samuel, said many of his colleagues had resumed and were ready   to begin academic activities as soon as possible.

    NAN reports that the owner state governments of Oyo and Osun had paid N584 million to offset two months outstanding salaries.

    The two months salaries were said to have been agreed upon by government, management and the various unions.

    The money was paid on Jan. 23 and Jan. 27.

    NAN also reports that some members of staff and students of the institution had resumed  while  academic activities were  yet to commence.

  • ASUU strike: LASU lecturers resume work

    ASUU strike: LASU lecturers resume work

    Lecturers at the Lagos State University (LASU) resumed work on Wednesday after  the expiration of the one-week nationwide warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    ‎Dr Isaac Oyewunmi, the Chairman, LASU chapter of ASUU, told newsmen ‎in Lagos that the resumption of work followed the directives of the ASUU national body.

    “We have all resumed today (Wednesday) as directed by the national body because the one week strike elapsed on Tuesday by 11.59 p.m.‎’’
    ‎
    According to him,‎ academic activities have returned and will continue until there is a contrary directive from the national body.

    The chairman said the next line of action would be determined by the union’s national body ‎after it meets to review the outcome of the warning strike.

    ‎Oyewunmi said following the warning strike, negotiation would continue between the union and the Federal Government.

    “It is either the government is ready to meet our demands or face our next line of action as there is no going back on our demands,’’ he said.

    A NAN correspondent who visited LASU, confirmed that academic activities had resumed as students were seen across departments and faculties attending lectures.

    ASUU declared the one-week warning strike which began on Nov. 16 to press home their demands from the Federal Government.

    The demands include the implementation of the 2009 agreement as well as the exclusion of  universities from the Single Treasury Account.

  • We won’t allow govt to kill public varsities, says ASUU

    We won’t allow govt to kill public varsities, says ASUU

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Friday, said it would not fold its hands and watch federal and state governments kill public universities.

    The union asked parents, students and other stakeholders to direct their grievances against the ongoing one-week strike to the Federal Government.

    Speaking through its chapter in the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), ASUU insisted that the industrial action was for the best interest of development of tertiary education in the country.

    Addressing a press conference at the school’s auditorium, the NDU chapter Chairman of ASUU, Dr. Stanley Ogoun, said the union would resist any attempt by politicians, who had started the business of running private universities, to kill public institutions.

    He said the docility of stakeholders was the reason why state governments and politicians destroyed primary and secondary schools.

    Ogoun said: “We call on students, parents and the ordinary people of Nigeria to understand that our actions are geared towards resisting and frustrating the attempt by the ruling class to commercialize and privatize university education in Nigeria.

    “We will resist every attempt to kill the university system the way they killed primary and secondary schools. If we fail to stand on the side of truth, posterity will not forgive us.

    “Before now, we were receiving subventions to run the universities, but now they are withdrawing the subventions. Most state universities are almost grounded why political actors are floating private universities”, he said.

    He said the Federal Government jettisoned agreements it reached with the union adding that the 2009 agreement was to be reviewed every three years.

    Ogoun said: “The current state of the economy is manmade and the government of the day must live up to its responsibilities by initiating policy options that would move us out of our current economic state, except the government is bereft of ideas”.

    Explaining the series of strikes embarked upon by the union in 2009 and 2013, he lamented that most aspects of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the government had not been implemented.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, this current action is compelled by failure of negotiations and several entreaties from our union since 2004 till date and the current trend in some states where staff salaries are sacrificed on the altar of other exigencies”.

    He listed the reasons behind the strike as non-release of funds for revitalization of public universities; non-release of subventions to state universities by the visitors and non-payment of staff salaries and  refusal to issue license for the registration of the Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).

    Others according to him were refusal to pay Earned Academic Allowances (EAA); shortfall in salaries leading to payment of fractions of staff salaries; non-payment of salaries of staff in the staff primary schools and exemption of universities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).