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Tag: ASUU

  • Strike: ASUU may not honour further calls by FG — National President

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it may not honour further calls by Federal Government for a meeting on the way forward over the current strike by its members.

    The union’s National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said this on the sideline of a news conference on the update of the union’s struggle to salvage the country’s public universities from deterioration on Sunday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the members of the union, under the aegis of ASUU, had on Nov. 4, embarked on what it had described as a ‘total, comprehensive and indefinite strike’.

    Members of the union were protesting the non implementation of agreements entered into with the Federal Government in 2009 and 2017, as well as funding and improved welfare for members, among other issues.

    According to Ogunyemi, to ensure that the agreements were implemented,union had held series of consultative meetings with the government and written series of letters with little or nothing to the effect.

    He noted that it was against this backdrop that union resumed strike on Nov. 4.

    “Since the commencement of this strike, we have had six meetings with agents of the Federal Government, with no clear commitment from government to resolving the issues we presented.

    “Government appears to have adopted ‘keep them talking’ strategy while deceiving the public that progress was being made and that partial agreements had been reached between union and government.

    “We want to say that government has continually and falsely raised the hopes of the Nigerian public on the state of duscussion with our union and we may not be interested in holding further dialogue with them until we see signs of commitment and sincerity in addressing the issues before them.

    “Our expectation from a very responsive and sincere position is that by now, all outstanding issues would gave been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

    “Unfortunately, government is yet to show commitment and sincerity in addressing these problems,” he said.
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    According to the don, on the renegotiation of Federal Government/ASUU agreeement, there are  still unresolved issues about the leadership of the government team.
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    “We have strong reasons to believe that the continuation of Dr Wale Babalakin as the head of the renegotiation with ASUU will not yield good fruit,” he said.

    Ogunyemi said union had taken up its current project as a life time, adding that this was why dating back to the 1980s, union had remained consistent on what was of concern to it.

    “If we miss education, we miss development as we will end up being enslaved the second time.

    “What is happening in this country now is that people are privatising everything, including education and before we know it, what happened to our primary and secondary education will happen.

    “And these are some of the things we are supposed to be tracking and engaged in this society, if we want to make the change that we need.

    “Our conviction is the reason behind the prolonged strike and our members have the conviction that until we get education right, Nigeria will never get it right.

    “Insurgency will increase, banditry, poverty, kidnapping, misery and other societal ills will continue.

    “Let me also state clearly too that our strike has nothing to do with politics or election, as is being speculated in some sectors of the society.

    “We have never thought of aborting any election. We do not want to create problem for this country but let government do the right thing,” he said.

    Ogunyemi said that the situation might have to rise to the point where Nigerians would have to tell government what to do with the country’s education system.

    He said  the union appreciated the understanding of the Nigerian students, their parents, among whom were many ASUU members and other people of goodwill since the resumption of the avoidable strike.

    “ASUU does not take your sacrifice for granted. With your continued support and sacrifice, we can make the Nigerian ruling class come to accept the centrality of university education in improving the human condition.

    “Qualitative and public-funded education is not an option; it is inevitable if Nigeria ever wishes to banish poverty, ignirance, sqaulor, insecurity, disease and curruption. (NAN)

  • Buhari urges ASUU to suspend strike in national interest

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its on-going industrial action in the interest of the country.

    The President gave the charge on Tuesday during the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of the Alex Ekwueme-Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) Ebonyi.

    Buhari, who was represented by Mr Victor Onuoha, Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) said government was aware of the challenges confronting the sector.

    “We are not unmindful of the funding challenge faced by the education sector, occasioned by dwindling resources and other competing national needs.

    “We will, however, continue doing the needful to improve the nation’s educational sector within available, limited resources,” he said.

    The President said that his administration realised the importance of education in nation building and pledged its continued support and provision to the sector.

    “We will continue providing specific infrastructure through annual appropriation and other interventions such as the Tertiary Education Trust (TET) Fund, NEEDS assessment, among others.

    “Universities have critical roles to play in nation building as they must justify their establishment through excellent, production-based research activities, innovative ideas, empowerment of youths among others,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari rejects NASS’ approval for refund of N488.7b to states

    He congratulated the Alake of Egbaland, HRH Michael Gbadebo and Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, former Minister of Education and Health for the conferment of honourary doctoral degrees on them by the institution.

    “The conferment is in recognition of their immense contributions to the development of the nation’s university system.

    “I congratulate AE-FUNAI for the successful organisation of its third convocation ceremony and urge the graduands to utilise the opportunity and excel in their chosen careers,” he said.

    Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, the university’s Vice Chancellor noted that the institution decided to honour its Chancellor, Gbadebo and Madubike for their immense contributions to the education sector of the country.

    “355 graduands are being celebrated presently as against 247 during our second convocation in 2017 and 124 in 2016.

    “The 355 graduands are being awarded bachelors degrees as follows: Faculty of Basic Management Sciences 62; Humanities 44; Management and Social Sciences 148; and Sciences 101,” he said.

    He noted that among the 355 graduands, 15 emerged with first class honours, 188 with second honours (upper division) 145 with second class honours (lower division) and seven with third class.

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Hyginus Nwokwu noted that the state government would collaborate with the institution to attain its desired global standard.

    “The government is donating N40million to the institution’s Faculty of Engineering to harness its students’ skills in meeting the contemporary development challenges facing the society,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gbadebo and Madubuike donated N5million and N4million each respectively to the university for developmental purposes.

  • ASUU storms out of conciliatory meeting with Fed Govt

    THE leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday stormed out of a conciliatory meeting between them and the Federal Ministry of Education summoned by Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige.

    The meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 5.00pm, started about one hour behind scheduled,  but ended abruptly as the ASUU delegation, led by its President,  Prof.  Biodun  Ogunyomi, walked out less than one hour after the meeting began.

    But the leadership of ASUU, however, refused to comment on why they were walking out of the meeting.

    Speaking at the commencement of the meeting yesterday, Ngige expressed shock that the issue of shortfall in salaries of university lecturers was still lingering,  but expressed hope that the ongoing strike action by ASUU members would soon be resolved.

    The minister said he expected the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to brief the meeting on steps being taken to clear the shortfall.

    Ngige said both parties would consider reports on the outstanding issues with a view to reaching an understanding on the way forward.

    The university lecturers have been on strike since November 4 following government’s failure to implement their terms of settlement and address the problems facing public universities.

    Among the issues, which the minister assured at the last meeting that he would be providing a feedback on include the payments of salary shortfalls, Revitalisation Fund and Academic Earned Allowances.

    Ogunyemi said lecturers are waiting anxiously to hear from the government over the promises it made at the last meeting. He said it was based on the response from government that the union would be able to decide on their next line of action.

  • ASUU storms out of meeting with FG

     

    Leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday stormed out of a conciliatory meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education summoned by Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige.

    The meeting, which was scheduled to commence at 5.00pm, started about one hour behind schedule but ended abruptly as the ASUU delegation led by its President, Prof. Biodun  Ogunyomi walked out less than one hour after.

    But the leadership of ASUU refused to comment on why they were walking out of the meeting.

    Speaking at the commencement of the meeting on Monday, Ngige expressed shock that the issue of short fall in salaries of university lecturers was still lingering.

    He however expressed hope the ongoing strike action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities will soon be resolved.

    The Minister said he expects the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to brief the meeting on steps being taken to clear the shortfall.

    Ngige said that both parties will consider reports on all the outstanding issues with a view to reaching an understanding on the way forward.

    The University lecturers have been on strike since November 4th to protest government failure to implement its terms of settlement and address the problems facing public universities.

    Among the issues, which the Minister gave assurances on at the last meeting that he will be providing a feedback were the payments of salary shortfalls, Revitalization Fund and Academic Earned Allowances.

    On the issue of salary shortfall, the Minister said that he was surprised that the payment has lingered despite agreement reached over the matter since 2017.

    Speaking on the non-payment of salary shortfall, Ngige said: “There is nothing new about it except that this Ministry is surprised that the issue of salary shortfall is still lingering “.

    ASUU President Ogunyemi said lecturers were waiting anxiously to hear from the FG over the promises it made at the last meeting.

    He said that it is based on the response from government that the union will be able to decide on their next line of action.

     

  • No regrets for disrupting anti-corruption programme – ASUU

    Dr Kasim Umaru, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter says the union has no regret for disrupting Anti Corruption event in the institution.

    The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union led by Umaru prevented Noble Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon Rtd and former Education Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili from speaking at the event.

    The ASUU Chairman told NAN in a telephone interview on Wednesday that the union disrupted the programme because of the ongoing strike.

    He said such magnitude of programme could not hold in the institution because lecturers were also involved in the event.

    “Those eminent personalities for the programme are all aware of our plight and did nothing, we disrupted the event because we are on strike,” he said.

    The convener of the event and National Coordinator of African Initiative Against Corruption and Exam Malpractice AFICEM, Dr Francis Abioye regretted the action of the ASUU saying they erred by disrupting the event.

    Abioye said the management of the university had earlier approved the institution’s auditorium as venue for the anti corruption programme.

    He said the programme was not an academic event, but was organized to educate Nigerians especially students against corruption and related cases.

    Abioye, who is also the General Manager, Zoology Garden in Owerri, urged the Federal Government to fund education, saying that Nigeria could not progress without a stable educational system.

    In his remarks, the university Student Union Government (SUG), President, Mr Chizurum Anabaronye said the development was regrettable and disappointing.

    “It is unfortunate because students would have benefited immensely in the programme considering the personalities involved in the programme.

    “Wole Soyinka is a person every student wants to see and the only opportunity to hear him speak was disrupted, we mobilized the students for the event but later communicated to them on the development,” he said.

    One of the facilitators and Osun High Court Judge, Justice Oloyode Folahanmi, who also spoke to NAN said AFICEM planned to celebrate the 2018 anti corruption day with a lecture on the `Benefits of Examination Ethics’ which was disrupted.

    “The Noble Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, other eminent persons and myself were to speak to Nigerian students on the need to abide by the rules guiding examination ethics.

    “We are partners in progress, we feel the plight of ASUU and we want to fix Nigerian problem so it was wrong to disrupt the programme.

    While calling on FG to address the demands of ASUU, Folahanmi said the reason for targeting students was because of the belief that quest for societal regeneration must begin with the youths. (NAN)

  • ASUU stand-off: I stand by my decision- Babalakin

    The Federal Government/Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) 2009 Agreement Renegotiation Committee Chairman, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN) on Tuesday said he stood by his insistence on quality, well- funded tertiary education in the country.

    Babalakin said it was partly because of his refusal to vary his decision that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) described him as a tyrant.

    Universities across the country are on strike following lingering funding issues.

    On December 9, ASUU members in UNILAG accused Babalakin, who is the Pro-chancellor of the institution, of overreaching his legal limit and trying to foster discord amongst UNILAG staff.

    But, according to Babalakin, the government requires over N2 trillion for several years to salvage the sector, a sum the lawyer said it may not have.

    He spoke in Lagos at the public presentation of ‘Criss-crossing law and jurisprudence‘, a festschrift in honour of ex University of Lagos (UNILAG) Vice Chancellor and Law professor, Prof Akindele Oyebode.

    A festschrift is a collection of writings published in honour of a scholar.

    It was organised by the UNILAG Faculty of Law.

    Babalakin said: “You must all have been following the battle for the resuscitation of education in Nigeria.

    “We have had the agreement of how it is to be achieved.

    “The unions believe that all the money must come from the Federal Government. We have made a calculation to reposition Nigerian education today and we require over N2trillion consistently for the next couple of years.

    “If the Government had N2trillion, please bring it but if they don’t have two trillion, don’t delay the resuscitation of the universities.”

    According to him, money must be found for education “from whatever source: public, private alumni money. All these monies must come together for us to fund university education.

    “This is the disagreement ASUU has with me and they variously described me as an oppressor, as a tyrant, and as a man determined to have his views.

    “If I am going to sacrifice because I insist that quality education must be had in Nigeria, that we must have good funding, that we must have the likes of Prof Akin Oyebode joining the universities all over again and having a full life in the university and achieving everything they set out to achieve, I stand charged, and I will stand by it.”

     

     

     

  • Be considerate in you demands, APC appeals to striking lecturers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to be considerate in their current demands, saying government alone cannot adequately fund education in the country as a result of dwindling resources.

    National Auditor of the party, Chief George Moghalu, who made the appeal on behalf of the party while unveiling the new school he built for his wife at the weekend in Abuja said Nigerians, especially the union should understand that government investment in education is quite higher than it has ever been.

    He said the cumulative effect of past failures by government in handling the funding of the education sector is responsible for the current state of education in the country, pointing out however that people should stop playing politics with the issue of education.

    He said: “What you should understand is that federal government investment in education is quite high. It has never been as high as it is now. Yes, we understand ASUU is on strike, but what is important is that government has engaged ASUU. I can say that with certainty because of the confirmation by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, that discussion is still ongoing. I am sure the issue will be resolved.

    “However, one thing we must understand is that education is capital intensive. I want use this opportunity to appeal to the understanding of the striking academic union to look at it from the point that Nigeria is a collective enterprise.

    “The cumulative failures of the past government that have now come to be a burden on this government should not the basis to access this government. One thing we must know is to avoid playing politics with education because is the only way we can empower a society and prepare it for greater responsibilities.

    Read Also: APC crisis: Shettima, El-Rufai in Ekiti

    “Government is doing the much it can by engaging ASUU but in whatever might be the outcome of the decision, we must not lose sight of the fact that the resources to government is dwindling and shrinking on daily basis and there is nothing we can do about it.

    “What it means is that ASUU has to be considerate in their demands. They must understand the challenges facing this government. It should be a collective stake for all of us.

    “Government alone cannot fund education and in that case, my appeal to ASUU is to be considerate and give government a chance. This government inherited the rot of the past 20 years and the burden cannot be left for it alone. Nigeria must be seen as an ongoing project”

    He argued that meeting everything in the demand by the striking University lecturers will be impossible considering the dwindling economic fortune the country is currently facing.

    Promising to give scholarship to brilliant indigent students, Moghalu said: “For me, education is a social service, giving back to the society. This is the driving force and again, my wife has always had a passion and a vision, since we got married 31 years ago, to establish a school where young people can be brought up in the fear of God and given proper direction for their lives.

    “I saw it as a challenge on my part to support her dream. And because she sees it more as a social service, I am sure the school fees will not be exorbitant. Essentially, I have told her that I am going to support by way of providing scholarship opportunities for the indigent children that are academically sound with handicap parents”.

     

  • ASUU Lagos zone accuses Babalakin of meddling in UNILAG affairs

    The Lagos Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Wale Babalakin, of going beyond his constitutional powers to discard recommendations and summon meetings of staff with the aim of dividing the workers.

    A statement signed by Olusoji Sobande on behalf of the zone, faulted Babalakin for reinstating someone the Senate had recommended for sack, calling for meetings with non-academic staff, the Senate (despite its autonomy) and the Deans (scheduled for December 11, 2018).
    Babalakin chairs the Federal Government’s negotiation team on the ASUU/FGN 2009 Agreement which is currently at loggerheads with the union over the non-implementation of the agreement. The union has been on strike since last month.
    The statement reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Pro-Chancellor’s activities since assumption of office are best described as autocratic, meddlesome and dictatorial. For example, he not only brooks no opposition during Council meetings because of his over bloated sense of personal importance and intellectual capability.
    “He acted like an obsessed Imperial Majesty by ordering the reinstatement of the Director of Sports, contrary to the recommendations of a Senate Committee set up to investigate the various cases of malfeasance against the Director of Sports.
    “In addition, the Pro-Chancellor tyrannically ordered the seal- off of an apartment allocated to the immediate past Registrar of the University, without any humane consideration for the family of that person, who has right to respect for her person and family.”
    The statement added that the union may be forced to take action to stop Babalakin, who it described as a threat to the University.
    “In view of the foregoing illegal and untoward activities of an individual whose professional calling is the defense of law and order, but who has suddenly turned a meddlesome interloper, our Union wishes to put the general public and well-meaning Nigerians on notice that the continuation of Dr. Wale Babalakin as the Pro-Chancellor represents present and future danger to the existence of the University of Lagos. Our union shall vehemently resist this real threat to well-being of our University.
    “Consequently, should there be a breakdown of law and order on account of our resistance in the University of Lagos, whether now or in the foreseeable future, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN, should be held singularly and squarely responsible,” the statement added.

  • Strike: NAPTAN begs ASUU, FG for truce

    The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has appealed to the Federal Government and the striking university lecturers to go with open minds to the negotiation table as they meet again on Monday.

    The 2nd Deputy National President of NAPTAN, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday.

    NAN reports that the striking lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had embarked on a nationwide strike on Nov. 4, to press home their demands.
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    The lecturers are demanding for the implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government, including the 2017 Memorandum of Action (MoA).

    They are also demanding for an improved welfare package and better funding of the university system among other issues.

    NAN also reports that the striking lecturers had engaged the Federal Government on series of negotiations but all ended in deadlock.

    According to Ogunbanjo, both the Federal Government and ASUU must seek a better way of reaching a common ground when they meet on Monday.

    He said this was necessary in order to end the strike in the interest of the students and their parents.

    Read Also: ASUU Strike-FG set to meet with union on Monday

     

    “My appeal now is for both the ASUU and Federal Government to go to the negotiation table with open minds as they meet again on Monday.

    “We are all bothered about this constant interruption of our academic calendar which is becoming a recurring decimal.

    “We must come together like true patriots and find a lasting solution to this whole issue once and for all, if we are truly concerned about the future of our children and country.

    “ASUU should please try and shift grounds concerning some of their demands for now.

    “If government comes up with an offer of about three out of five of their demands for instance, they should please try and consider that and go back to the classrooms while they continue to dialogue for the implementation of the remaining others.

    “Federal Government on the other hand must also learn to respect agreements, be more responsive and committed in tackling issues that concern education which remains the only driver of all other aspects of the economy,” Ogunbanjo said.

  • ASUU Strike: Students resort to vocational training

    As the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU enters its 32nd day, students have decided to acquire vocational skills to keep themselves busy during the period.

    ASUU had embarked on the indefinite strike last month citing the Federal Government’s failure to implement agreements reached with the union.

    Some students who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja said they were tired of staying at home.

    Martha Adah, a Political Science student with the University of Abuja said she had decided to learn tailoring which she believed would be useful to her in future.

    Adah said that from every indication, the ASUU strike might likely take longer than necessary as both parties appeared not to be interested in making compromises.

    “Since we cannot tell when the strike will be suspended, I will advise other students not just to sit at home doing nothing, but engage themselves in activities that will benefit them in future.

    “There are many skills that one can choose from ranging from fashion design, make-up, shoes making, baking and many more.

    “Do not just sit idle at home, engage yourself with something meaningful,’’ she said.

    Abbati Ahmed, a Biochemistry student of Kaduna State University, said he got tired of sitting at home and decided to learn how to make shoes.

    Ahmed said he had gained a lot since he started learning the trade two weeks ago.

    “Even when ASUU calls off the strike, I will be making shoes for other students and be making money from it,’’ he said excitedly.

    Ifeanyi Okeakpu , a 300 level Economics student of Benue State University said the lingering strike was unfortunate as both FG and ASUU appeared not to be interested in shifting grounds.

    “Not to get frustrated at home, I decided to engage myself in Male fashion designing.

    “I am enjoying it so far and I know I would not regret it, knowing that the white collar job will not be there for me after graduation unless I have a connection.

    Similarly, Osaji Hope of Ambrose Ali University, Edo State, said she had already started learning bead making and following the trending fashion.

    Hope encouraged students to cease the opportunity the strike offered and make something out of life.

     

    Read Also:ASUU strike : Parents, students call for quick FG intervention

     

    Meanwhile the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, on Wednesday night announced that he had taken over negotiations between the Federal Government and the striking university teachers.

    In a statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowokere, Director Press in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ngige said this was to avoid “unnecessary meddlesome” and ensure speedy resolution of all issues.

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had been leading the negotiations with ASUU, but Ngige, said that he had taken over the negotiation by the power conferred on him by Section 5 of the Trade Dispute Act.

    The minister also condemned the statement made by Femi Falana, (SAN) describing as illegal, the enforcement of Sec. 43.1 of the Trade Dispute Act 2004 on the `No Work No Pay’ provision.

    Falana had described the enforcement of the provisions as ‘illegal’ and asked the Federal Government to immediately withdraw the `illegal order’.