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Tag: ASUP

  • ASUP to govt: our members are dying of hunger

    ASUP to govt: our members are dying of hunger

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) at Oke-Ogun Polytechnic in Shaki, Oyo State, has urged the government to pay its members their outstanding salaries.

    The union said its members were dying of hunger.

    It urged stakeholders to intervene in salaries and subventions, before it is too late.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Mr. Muyiwa Olawunmi, ASUP said its members and their families were suffering, following the inability to receive salary in the last 13 months.

    It said: “From time, payment of salaries, grants and subventions to tertiary institutions have been the responsibility of government. The present system in which there is non-payment of salaries and grants as well as a reduction of subventions to tertiary institutions by 25 per cent, all in the name of recession, can no longer be tolerated.

    “The internally generated revenue (IGR) of the institution is infinitesimal, compared to the salaries required. The impact of non-payment of salaries and sudden reduction in subventions is terrible. It has brought hardship to our members in the last 13 months. There is no food on our tables. We have arrears of unpaid school fees of our children. The sick cannot take care of themselves.

    “On August 23, our Vice Chairman, Mr. Taofeek Jokanola, slumped and died while bathing. Some of our members are ill.

    “We appeal to the government, APC leadership at the state and national levels, traditional institutions, house of assembly and people to intervene on our behalf so that our outstanding salary and subvention will be paid.”

    The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Prof Adeniyi Olowofela said the state released subvention to higher institutions every month.

    The commissioner said Governor Abiola Ajimobi was working hard to ensure that the school’s IGR improved.

    He added that the government had engaged consultants to examine the finances of higher institutions for proper accountability.

     

  • Fedpoly Bauchi ASUP embarks on indefinite strike

    Fedpoly Bauchi ASUP embarks on indefinite strike

    The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi Chapter of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) on Tuesday embarked on an indefinite strike to press home some of their demands.

    Comrade Ahmed Mukaddas, Chairman of the union told newsmen in Bauchi that the decision to go on the strike was taken at the congress held on Tuesday in Bauchi.

    Mukaddas accused the Rector, Dr Shuiabu Musa, of non-payment of accumulated 27 months academic allowances.

    Others are non-implementation of the July 2014, 2015 and 2016 promotion; non-payment of enhancement arrears and arrears of short fall in their salary since 2016.

    The other demands include non-payment of CONTISS arrears for the lower cadre since 2013; the actual number of staff on the payroll of the institution; improved student’s welfare; unused personnel cost amounting to N24 billion between February 2017 and August 2017.

    The union also accused the Rector of not organising convocations in the last seven years.

    He also alleged that there were inadequate laboratories and workshops in the institution; illegal recruitment of staff; total collapse of the security system in the school and urged the management to stop the deduction of 7.5 per cent from staff salaries.

    The chairman said the union would not accept any attempt by the management to force them to call off the strike until their demands were met.

    The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mohammed Wada, told NAN that the management was in a meeting trying to see how they could address some of the demands by the union.

    “As I am talking to you, the entire members of the management are busy trying to see how best to tackle some of the demands made by the union,” Wada said.

  • Polytechnic lecturers knock JAMB over cut-off mark

    Polytechnic lecturers knock JAMB over cut-off mark

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) said on Friday the new cut-off mark for admission into universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education would adversely affect the standard of education in the country.

    The president of ASUP, Usman Dutse, said in Lagos the union did not buy the decision of JAMB and what it intended to achieve with the development.

    The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had on Tuesday announced 120 as minimum cut-off point for admission into degree-awarding institutions in the country.

    The cut-off mark for admission into polytechnics and colleges of education was fixed at 100.

    Oloyede, however, said the institutions are at liberty to raise their cut off marks for admission above the minimum benchmark set by the board.

    Dutse, in his reaction, said, “We believe that the cut-off mark is too low, and if adopted by institutions, will affect standard and value will be eroded.

    “In the past, for various institutions we have in Nigeria, even the 180 cut-off mark approved by JAMB was found too low and now they are bringing it down to 120-100.

    “For any examination in the world and any global ranking, there is nowhere 25 per cent is used as pass mark.

    “We do not know what the bases are and what it (JAMB) intends to achieve.

    “The suggested cut-off mark is not good for the development of education and the candidates,’’ the ASUP president said.

    He faulted JAMB on its position that the cut-off mark is a minimum benchmark and institutions can increase it.

    The ASUP chief said if that was the case, institutions should be allowed to admit and set examinations for candidates.

    NAN

  • Panel to review govt’s deal with ASUP, COEASU

    Panel to review govt’s deal with ASUP, COEASU

    THE Federal Government has inaugurated two committees to renegotiate the agreements it reached with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) in 2010.

    The government said the agreements it had with the unions in 2010 were due for renegotiation since 2013, but the exercise did not take place because of some unforeseen circumstances.

    Minister of Education Malam Adamu Adamu inaugurated the teams in Abuja on Monday.

    Chairman of Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Mohammed Ababakar is to chair the team to renegotiate with ASUP.

    The Chairman of Governing Council, Federal College of Education, Obudu Dr. Obi Anthony will lead the team to renegotiate with COEASU.

    Adamu, in a statement by Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mrs. Chinenye Ihuoma, yesterday in Abuja, said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the reconstitution of the government teams and the beginning of renegotiation with the unions.

    He urged the members to study the agreements entered into with all the unions in the Colleges of Education and polytechnics and engage them with a view to reaching a workable and sustainable agreement.

    Few days after ASUU began an indefinite strike to press home their demand for better working condition, there are indications that higher education sector may soon witness more strike action as lecturers in polytechnics and colleges of education are bracing for another round of industrial action.

    Leaders of the polytechnics and colleges of education unions yesterday threatened to embark on industrial action, if the government continue to pay lip service to the welfare of their members and the working environment in their institutions.

    Expressing solidarity with ASUU in the struggle to restore sanity to universities and the education sector, General Secretary of the ASUP, Comrade Anderson Ezeibe, said the government must commence the implementation of agreements entered into with the union to forestall an impending crisis in the polytechnic sub sector.

  • LASPOTECH staff unions resume strike

    LASPOTECH staff unions resume strike

    The Lagos State polytechnic staff unions  (ASUP,SSANIP,NASU) resumed the suspended strike action after the expiration of the 21days ultimatum given to the management to respond to their requests.
    The 21days ultimatum however as elapsed yesterday 4th of June 2017, they would now resume their indefinite strike today.
    All normal academic and non-academic activities would not hold on all campuses.
  • LASPOTECH lecturers begin indefinite strike Friday

    LASPOTECH lecturers begin indefinite strike Friday

    Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) chapter, will commence an indefinite strike on Friday.

    The union rose from its emergency congress on Thursday and resolved to embark on total industrial action.

    The Chairman of the chapter, Comrade Akinrinlola Ibitoye, said there won’t be any form of academic activities in the full and part time programmes of the institution.

    According to him, this strike was based on the institution management’s failure to honour the agreement earlier reached with the Union on the payment of the CONTISS 15 migration arrears which had accumulated to 87 months.

    “It should be noted, that the Union has explored all peaceful and legal avenues to ensure that the avoidable strike is averted,” Ibitoye said in a statement signed by the Union Publicity Secretary, Saheed Olatunde Jaji.

    “The Union has shown understanding enough, given supports where necessary to allow the management have a successful convocation ceremony despite the untold hardship being meted on workers by the management.

    “The union resorted into emergency congress when it was obvious that the management was not showing any iota of willingness towards the agreement.

    “It should be noted however that, this strike has nothing to do with His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode or Lagos State Government, as the state government has graciously increased LASPOTECH’s subvention by 65 per cent with a caveat that the increase should take care of the arrears.

    “The union is still opened to negotiation to ensure that industrial harmony is restored to the Polytechnic of Excellence and the academic calendar is not disrupted.”

     

  • ASUP canvasses homegrown solutions to Africa’s challenges

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has drawn the attention of the black continent to the need to seek indigenous panacea to her myriad socio-economic and political challenges. The body is therefore challenging African scholars to up the ante with groundbreaking research aimed at providing relevant findings that can address the continent’s problems.

    This was the submission of ASUP-Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTEC) chapter, at its maiden international conference with the theme: African solutions to Africa’s challenges, held at the institution’s Ikorodu premises last week.

    Its chairman, Comrade Ibitoye Akinrinlola,  said  African countries, especially Nigeria face challenges ranging from socio-economic and political to terrorism, and wars, among others, resulting in outbreak of disease and moral decadence. These, Akinrinola said, have stunted her growth, leaving her comatose.

    Rather than seek external assistance,  Akinrinola noted that the challenges should be tackled inwardly by confronting them headlong and providing solutions.

    The Rector of LASPOTECH,  Mr Samuel Sogunro, said the theme signalled a constructive attitude and approach to addressing Africa’s problems.

    He said: “The idea of ‘African solutions to Africa’s challenges’ has become a compelling maxim of the African Union (AU) and its leading member – states. It is an emotive  call that resonates equally among government and civil society. It applies to a wide range of issues, including development, education, health and in relation to peace and security. It evokes a sense of self reliance, responsibility, pride and ownership.”

    The chairman of the occasion, Ayodeji Iginla, said a nation that lacks diversity in the generation of revenue, coupled with a heavy importation status and a low level of industrial production, cannot  be economically independent.

    He also noted that many presentations had been made in time past from conferences, adding that policy implementation has always been the bane.

    “Policy implementation many times get derailed within the intricacies of politics and power play, a situation the academia can do little or  nothing about. However, academics must not relent in pushing their findings forward for notice in this respect”

    Prof Folake Akinpelu of the Department of Mathematics, (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, recommended reforms across board, particularly in the education sector.

    Lagos State Special Adviser on Education Mr Obafela Bank- Olemoh, advised   participants not to see their presentations as mere academic exercise, but for socio-economic development of Nigeria.

  • ASUP calls for end to dichotomy between Polytechnic and University graduates

    ASUP calls for end to dichotomy between Polytechnic and University graduates

    Ogunseye Timothy, National Vice-President, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to end the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates in the country.

    Timothy made the appeal on the side line of ASUP first International Conference hosted by the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Chapter of the union in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The conference had the theme: “Africa’s Solution to Africa’s Challenges: Nigeria’s Perspectives’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a bill for an act seeking to end the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates passed its second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

    The bill, which was co-sponsored by Balanga Billiri, Ali Isa and Edward Pwajok, seek to create equal opportunities for graduates from universities and polytechnics, in terms of employment and promotions.

    Timothy said that polytechnic graduates were not inferior to their university counterparts.

    Ogunseye said the unwarranted discriminatory practice of ranking polytechnic graduates lower than university graduates was prevalent among some government agencies and private organizations.

    He commended Kano State Government for its decision not to discriminate but ranked polytechnic and university graduates equally.

    “I do not see any reason why the dichotomy should continue as the same admission requirement applies to candidates choosing polytechnics and universities.

    “Reviewing the curricula of tertiary institutions in terms of practical and other educational contents, polytechnic graduates are far better than universities.

    “Nigerian graduates are equal, notwithstanding the schools they attend. However, this discrepancy between polytechnic and university is worrisome.

    “Without doubt, if the discrimination continues, the country’s technological advancement being the backbone of any economic growth will be negatively affected.

    “As a matter of fact, there is need for employers to change their perception towards HND graduates because BSC holders are not in any way better than them.

    “If care is not taken, competent hands will be short-changed which would handicap the country’s progress,’’ he said.

    Also speaking on the discrimination, former rector of Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr Babatunde Iginla, said removing the dichotomy would encourage economic independence, employment and stability in the labor market.

     

  • ASUP issues three-week ultimatum on salary payment

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has given the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum to address the shortfalls in personnel and other payments owed its members or face industrial action.

    President of the union, Comrade Usman Dutse, who made this known to newsmen, said the decision was based on the outcome of the union‘s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi.

    He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct governors to pay salaries owed its members without delay.

    Comrade Dutse mentioned Abia, Edo, Kogi, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Imo and Zamfara states  as those that have not paid  salaries and promotion arrears of polytechnic workers, despite bailout funds as well as the  Paris Club refunds at their disposal.

  • ASUP threatens strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is once again ready to fight the Federal Government over failure to implement its agreement with the union and continued payment of half salaries to polytechnic workers.

    National President of the union, Comrade Usman Dutse, told journalists in Abuja at the weekend that the union could no longer guarantee industrial peace in the polytechnic sub-sector, saying the condition of its members had gone from bad to worse as a result of government neglect.

    Comrade Dutse lamented that even though government promised to address challenges in the sector which started since January 2016, the situation was getting worse with an increment in the in the amount cut from salaries.

    He said the union would hold its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in the third week of this month to deliberate on the way forward.

    Dutse said: “Apart from the outstanding challenge we have with government, there is a new development that cropped up last year. This is the issue of shortfall in personnel.  From January 2016, we started observing shortfall in our personnel. This led to our members collecting a fraction of their salaries, with the promises that it would be ratified.

    “They told us by January, this year, the matter will be resolved; but it has not changed. But in February, we were told the situation is getting worse because the quantum of the cut has increase, significantly and it would create more hardship and sufferings for our members.

    “So we want to use this medium to tell government that we have been patient enough as we have been suffering and smiling for too long. And we also want to warn that if this issue continues, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the polytechnic sub sector of the education system.

    “Government should keep to their word by fulfilling their promises. This is our right, because we have worked for it. Anytime we start agitation, they will talk about ‘no work, no pay’. So we want to assure them that if they continue cutting our salaries, we too will cut our services because for every service we render, we deserve to be compensated.

    “We are all aware that the economic hardship in the country is biting and so if you get less than what you used to received, the situation will be worst for you. So, sincerely, we want to tell government to give us what we deserve and make sure that our members do not suffer any longer because we are not going to allow that to continue. We are going to take action that will protect and defend the interest of our members and the system”.

    Dutse also lamented that salary backlogs had not been paid despite promises by government.