The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • Strike: FG’s tardiness, ASUU’s insensitivity

    SIR: The ongoing ASUU strike has again confirmed the perception of bureaucratic laziness in our public service system. It would be recalled that the basis of the current industrial action was the failure of the government to honour the agreement she had with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in 2009. It was also the basis for which the union downed tools for about six months in 2013. Although the current administration was not in power when the agreement was made but government is a continuum. Thus failure to quickly resume negotiation with the union at the outset of this administration shows negligence of the bureaucrats in the Ministry of Education and its Labour and Productivity counterpart.

    The bureaucrats in the two ministries and their supervising ministers need be reminded that their primary responsibilities are to every individuals and groups for which those ministries were created to serve.

    More importantly, these strikes are always preceded by warning strikes which is meant to be a reminder. Perhaps if the union had been called to resume negotiation on the implementation of the earlier agreement, the current impasse could have been averted.

    As for ASUU, there is need for a re-examination of strikes as a strategy to compel government attention to their plights as it is becoming increasingly unpopular in view of its paralyzing effects in the academic communities. Again, declaring strike anytime there is grievance on remuneration and calling it off once commitment to pay by the government is obtained while receiving salaries for the period the strike lasted places a huge moral burden on the union especially when the students at the receiving end would never regain the academic time lost to the strike action.

    It is equally worrisome that ASUU only becomes visible when they are aggrieved. Beyond the fact that they comprehensively fail to draw attention to internal maladministration in their individual universities and sundry abuses of academic ethics of their members, they also fail to be counted making important contributions on critical national issues by way of position papers and policy advisories. As a bastion of academic eggheads, they are expected to be seen contributing to governance issues, offering alternative ideas and intellectual guidance particularly on economic matters which in turn affects them as an integral member of Nigeria entity. If the union continually fails in this regard but prefer only to be heard through strikes which would soon outlive its usefulness, the union would no longer be taken seriously other than a crop of academic rebel seeking relevance.

     

    • Muftau B. Tijani,

    University of Lagos.

  • FG warns volunteers against selling N-Power devices

    FG warns volunteers against selling N-Power devices

    The Federal Government on Thursday warned that N-Power volunteers caught or implicated in the sale of the programme’s tablets would be dismissed.

    The Presidential Aide on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    “Information reaching us is that some of our N-Power Volunteers are attempting to dispose their device, we urge you in your best interest not to do so.

    “Once caught, you would not only be dismissed from the programme, you would be blacklisted from other federal government’s social Investment Programmes.

    “A lien would also be placed on your bank accounts for the full refund of the asset cost to the Bank of Industry,’’ he said.

    Imoukhuede recalled that N-Power is a Learn/Work/Entrepreneurship Programme of the federal government’s National Social Investment Programme for unemployed Young Graduates.

    He reminded the beneficiaries that the devices currently being distributed to the volunteers were secured through an Asset Finance arrangement.

    He said the arrangement was made with the Bank of Industry (BOI) for 20 months by the National Social Investment Programme.

    “As such, the devices are to aid the continual learning and development of our volunteers, which seek to enhance their employability ready for the labour market when they exit the programme after 24 months.

    “These devices are also their work tools as it would aid the discharge of their community functions in their primary places of assignment be it at the Public Schools, Primary Health Centres or the Agriculture Development Farm Settlements.

    “In addition, these devices contain global knowledge content contributed by some of our global partners such as Cisco, Google, Microsoft on ICT, Leadership and Entrepreneurship for their continuous development,’’ he said.

    The Presidential Aide warned volunteers that the employment office had devised means to gather such information and data concerning sold or unutilized devices.

    NAN reports that the federal government took over the remittances of the total cost of the devices to the asset finance partner, besides the N30,000 monthly stipends to no fewer than 200,000 volunteers.

  • Strike: FG says ULC not yet recongised Trade Union

    Strike: FG says ULC not yet recongised Trade Union

    The Federal Government said on Thursday that the United Labour Congress (ULC) was not a yet a registered and recognised Federation of the Trade Unions in the country.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this at a news briefing in Abuja.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the ULC had earlier issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, which expired on Sept. 8.

    The association further issued another seven-day strike notice that would expire on Sept. 15 with a threat to shut down the oil, power and the aviation sectors.

    The demand includes that the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment should set up a task force immediately to carry out factory inspection; that Government should review the privatisation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

    Others are that the Army and Police should withdraw their men in different work places where they are currently stationed as they intimidate and harass workers in such establishment.

    While also that the ULC demands the immediate release of its “Registration Certificate”.

    According to Ngige, Mr Didi Adodo, Secretary General of ULC in a statement gave false impression that this Association is a Government recognised Federation of Trade Unions.

    “Our immediate reaction is to remind the promoters of this Association that they are not yet a Federal Government recognised Federation of Trade Unions and hence cannot speak on behalf of any Trade union.

    “The Trade Union Act. CAP T14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, is explicitly clear on how a group of Trade Unions can coalesce to form a Federation of Trade Unions.

    “Section 35(1)(b) states inter alia “A Federation of Trade Unions may be registered by the Registrar if it is made up of 12 or more Trade Unions none of which shall have been a member of another registered Federation of the Trade Unions.

    “The promoters of ULC should fulfill this requirement to qualify to be registered.

    “To call out workers on essential services for a national strike without any major trade dispute with their direct employers will be tantamount to blatant violation of our extant labour laws and International standards.’’

    He said that Nigerians known that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was the Oldest Federation of the Trade Unions in Nigeria.

    He said NLC has been factionalised since after her elections in 2015 and the Ministry of Labour and Employment has been making efforts to resolve the controversies that arose from the disputed elections.

    He added that this to government is democracy in the practice of Trade Unionism in Nigeria, saying that a group of Trade Unions are free to ask for registration as a federation if they are dissatisfied with their present federation.

    Ngige, however, said they must satisfy the conditions of having 12 new Trade Unions that were not previously affiliate of any of the existing federations; In this case, the Nigeria Labour Congrees(NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC).

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Government will not fold her hands and allow any group of persons take the law into their hands.

    “That is  by brazenly threatening to commit Economic Sabotage by shutting down essential services in the Oil and Gas, Power, and Aviation Sectors as threatened by the promoters of ULC.

    “Members of the Trade Unions who are sympathetic to the ULC mentioned are advised to go about their duties in the interest of a peaceful industrial relations environment and for the good of our national economy,” Ngige said.

    The minister assured all Nigerians that government would ensure security in all work places.

  • FG, ASUU embrace ‘collective bargaining’-NLC

    FG, ASUU embrace ‘collective bargaining’-NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday urged the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embrace collective bargaining, saying there would be no progress in the society without quality education.

    NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, stated this at a conciliation meeting with executive of ASUU, officials of the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in Abuja.

    “It is a very important issue that ought to drive the process of our development because world over, there is no way progress can be made without quality education. That is the centrality of the issue.

    “All of us are here with much more commitment to see that the issues are resolved and through our process of collective bargaining.

    “It is very cardinal in addressing issues of industrial relations and when agreements are signed. We must find ways and means of implementing them (agreements) and minimising area of industrial activities.

    “The expectation of all of us as Nigerians is that we will put these issues beyond us and drive our process of development forward.

    “So that all of us with open mind and very good will to see how these process can be resolved as it is a process that is time tested. We hope it will produce a win-win result situation for all, ‘’he said.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr.Chris Ngige, said the meeting was convened to address the crisis.

    NAN

  • Olanipekun urges compromise between FG and ASUU

    Olanipekun urges compromise between FG and ASUU

    The Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reach a compromise on the issues that led to the ongoing strike by lecturers in public universities across the country.

    Olanipekun spoke during the commissioning of some projects in the school campus.

    The 10 projects executed by the school through direct labour were estimated at N45.6m.

    According to Olanipekun, the situation on ground makes it imperative for the federal government to reach agreement with the lecturers in order to save the future of students in the affected institutions.

    He said: “Here at ACU, we pay our salaries as at when due. We do not owe anybody. We have no problem with ASUU going on strike but as a Nigerian, I want to plead that the earlier ASUU and the federal government put an end to this constant industrial action, the better for all of us, the better for our children and better for the generation unborn.”

    “We have been able to open 10 projects today (Wednesday). Please, let us tell people in our country, this is the way to fight corruption. This is the way to manage resources. I have been saying this as a lawyer, fighting corruption is not about naming names and maybe you chain and take people to court. Curb the very tap root. You uproot it, exterminate it of corruption.

    “We want to challenge Nigerian governors to send people to ACU and learn how we manage resources and let them to send auditors, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers, and structural engineers, let them compare and contrast what we spend on our projects with what they spend in other public institutions, including government institutions themselves.

    “This is our own humble way of telling the government that we have our own way of fighting corruption. We have our own way of instilling discipline into the financial sector of this country. How I wish government takes a cue from this. How I wish the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission would come here, not to arrest, harass our management team but to learn from us.

    “How I wish I was a Pro- Chancellor of this university before I was a Pro- Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, I would have learnt so much, more equipped.”

     

     

  • Five things students can do while ASUU strike is on-going

    It seems like ASUU strike is not going to end again. Students have been at home for good five weeks now.

    The federal government and ASUU have held so many meetings on different occasions and not yielding any positive result that will make the students happy that resumption is near.

    While the ASUU strike has no hopeful ending at least for now, here are some things that students can do so as not to be idle before the FG agree to their demands.

    Acquire new skill

    This is the time where students can have time to acquire new skill relevant to their course of study. It could be tailoring, hair dressing, barbing, photography, videography, catering skills. Make use of the strike time judiciously and learn whatever you wish to learn. It does not only give you an edge and provide opportunities for a side hustle; but it will help in building your self-confidence and it will add value to your life with the time invested.

    Get a job

    While at home, you can also enrich your pocket with a little money. Get a job as an intern or assistant in an office or company. You can even get a job as a paid apprentice at a salon or creative studio. If you care, you can go for blogging and creating a functioning website that will help in spending your time wisely.

    The beauty of the internet is that you can get connected to so many job opportunities without necessarily breaking a sweat.

    Enroll for professional courses

    The university might be closed but there are other avenues for learning. You can enroll in short courses online or for professional classes that will grant you certain qualifications that may become relevant in future. Even if you do not have the money to pay for these courses, you can go for free ones on portals. You don’t necessarily have to get a certificate; the idea is to acquire new knowledge that will be relevant to your career goals or aspirations.

    Adventures

    This is the best period students have to travel out of their geographical area. There is never a bad time to travel. As a student, you can travel across states that are nearby that you have not visited or local villages with a history that you wish to know more about because there may be limitation of resources to embark on travels to different countries.

    It is also a great way for students to learn more about the world around you and open yourself to alternative cultures tradition and lifestyles. You could travel to other African cities or continents if you can afford it or you have a sponsor as well. The important thing though, is that you keep your ear on the ground while on your travels, so you are well informed when the strike is called off.

    Attends seminars and conference

    Attending seminars only improve your sense of reasoning and enlighten you more about how you can make use of yourself to be of a help to people around you and help you grow as person. Attend seminars that are relevant to your course of study so as to know more about your soon to be profession.

    The period at home may offer a great opportunity to improve on your social skills. Attend conferences and seminars as well as events. It does not have to be professional or vocational seminars or events. It could be events that offer opportunities to explore your hobbies or just to enjoy yourself. Also, it offers opportunities for networking and exposes you to new connections. It could be book readings, slam poetry competitions, meet-ups, concerts etc.

  • Striking doctors demand serious commitment from FG

    Striking doctors demand serious commitment from FG

    The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Tuesday said its members would only suspend the strike if there was a serious commitment from the Federal Government to address their demands.

    The NARD chairman, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) chapter, Dr. Ucha Nephro, said this in Abuja.

    Nephro expressed regrets that the federal government has been promising to address the demands, but was yet to show commitment on the matter.

    He said resident doctors in UATH have not been paid their full salary for four months.

    “We want the federal government to pay us our full salary. Other staff of the hospital has their salaries paid fully because they are under Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform.

    “We also want to be under the platform.

    “In January, NARD members in UATH got 78 per cent of their salary, in February it got 78 and March, 80. It was corrected in April and we have been asking federal government to pay us these arrears.

    “In August 72 per cent was paid, now we don’t know whether there will be salary for September,’’ he said.

    He also confirmed that medical consultants at the Enugu State Teaching Hospital have also embarked on strike over similar issues.

    NAN

     

     

  • FG, striking doctors meet Wednesday

    FG, striking doctors meet Wednesday

    The Federal Government is expected to meet with leadership of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Wednesday to resolve the ongoing industrial action by the doctors.

    A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere, said the leadership of the striking doctors, the leadership of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and officials of the Federal Ministry of Health are expected to be part of the meeting scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the conference hall of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

    The doctors had on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demands few days after signing a memorandum of understanding with the government after a meeting which lasted over 12 hours.

    The statement said: “Towards apprehending the strike action embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), after reaching an agreement with the Federal Government on issues in dispute, the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, is scheduled to hold a crucial conciliatory meeting with the President and Executive of NARD, President and Executive of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), officials of the Federal Ministry of Health led by the Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole and other stakeholders.”

     

  • FG meets ASUU Thursday

    FG meets ASUU Thursday

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will on Thursday resume talks with the Federal Government on the implementation of the 2009 agreement signed by both parties.

    ASUU National president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, told The Nation on phone that the union would attend the meeting and table its unfulfilled demands which caused the union to embark on indefinite strike.

    “The latest is that they (government) had invited us for a meeting on Thursday.  We will attend and present our demands before them,” he said.

    Last week, ASUU boycotted a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and his Education counterpart, Malam Adamu Adamu.

    The meeting was convened by Ngige.

    The union’s demands include the non-registration of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO), payment of incomplete salaries in federal universities and gross under-funding/non-funding of state universities, non-payment of arrears of earned academic allowances, non release of funds for rehabilitation of public universities, non-implementation of guidelines for retirement benefits of professors and failure to exempt varsities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

  • FG to introduce bicycle riding in FCT

    FG to introduce bicycle riding in FCT

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Monday the Federal Government plans to introduce bicycle riding in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The project is expected to aid physical fitness and boost investment in the country.

    He also said the Lagos-Ibadan rail project would lead to employment of 150,000 people.

    Rotimi disclosed these at the end of the 15th meeting of National Council on Transportation with the theme: ‘Efficiency of Inter-modality in Transportation: Panacea for Economic Recovery.”

    He said: “The National Council on Transportation is a policy making Council and we have approved that we should do a pilot project on bicycle riding in FCT because it is the only city that has facility for bicycle riding.

    “We decided that we do it in Abuja because if you check, nearly all the roads in Abuja have lanes for bicycle.”

    “It is there in China and UK. It is an investment that would help reduce the number of passengers that are looking for modern form of transportation within the cities.

    “Other states that want to do it must provide facility before they can proceed because we want to separate cyclists from the roads and some motorists can be very impatient with them.

    “So states that want to go ahead can do that. But they must provide lanes for bicycle so that we don’t have numerous accidents.”

    On the Lagos-Ibadan rail project, the minister added: “Construction work on the railway would really boost economy. Between Lagos to Ibadan, the railway work, going on there would produce jobs for about 150,000 workers and the business would help employ more people.”