The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NASU

  • NASU president seeks unity among members

    NASU president seeks unity among members

    The National President, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Com. Makolo Hassan, yesterday urged members to unite, to fight common enemies of the union.

    He said as a body fighting for downtrodden Nigerians, there is need for its members to unite.

    Speaking at the ‘2023 Quadrennial Delegates Conference/Election’ NASU, Polytechnics and Other Trade Group Council, held at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Hassan said NASU had become an enviable institution.

    He said members should work and ensure that the union is not relegated.

    The Polytechnic, Ibadan NASU Chairman, Com. Kareem Adegoke, thanked the national body of the union for considering the institution to host the delegate conference, saying “it is coming when admissions in ND and HND programmes in the institution are on.”

    Read Also: NASU, SSA warn against removal of FRIN DG

    A NASU NEC member, Com. Akande Ibrahim, advised losers at the delegate conference to accept defeat and show spirit of sportsmanship.

    Dignitaries at the event include NASU General Secretary, Prince Peter Adeyemi; Rector, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi; Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter Chairman, Com. Kayode Martins; Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Oyo State, Festus Igbinosu and Oyo NASU Chairman, Com. Olukoya Adepeju, among others.

  • NASU, SSA warn against removal of FRIN DG

    NASU, SSA warn against removal of FRIN DG

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Association (SSA) of Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan and other unions have warned those calling for the removal of the Director General of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, Zacharia Buba Yaduma, to desist.

    The leaders of the unions said the forces bent on removing the DG were labouring in vain, adding that the scholar was placing premium on the well-being, advancement and conversion of all categories of workers since he came on board on April 1, 2023, which was a marked departure from past experience. 

    Speaking during the joint congress of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of FRIN and Colleges, the NASU Chairperson in the institution, Olubunmi Adetona, said: “We have some people at the Maintenance, and Estate sections, whose promotions had been pegged, but that has become history with the coming on board of the new DG. They have been promoted, they can even move to the level of directorship. Before now, they could not move. He did that for us immediately he came on board.”

    Read Also: Retirement age: NASU vows to sustain protest over extension

    The Chairman, Senior Staff Association (SSA) in the institution, Oluseyi Adejimi, said: “The DG came for the welfare of workers. We are also here for the welfare of our members.  He is doing well when it comes to workers welfare. Some forces want the current DG out at all cost because of their selfish interests, but this won’t happen by the special grace of God.”

    A trustee of FRIN, Com. Kolawole, described the DG as a man of integrity and high character, who has the interest of workers at heart.

    The former chairman, NASU, FRIN chapter and state Chairman of NASU, Joseph Olukoya, said: “The first thing I saw about him is the sincerity of purpose. Second, when he came here, he set up a committee on conversion and advancement, which had been put on hold for the past eight years. He set up a committee on the institute’s condition of service and the scheme of service to enhance and accelerate our career path.”

  • Retirement age: NASU vows to sustain protest over extension

    Retirement age: NASU vows to sustain protest over extension

    Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational (NASU) and Associated Institutions has vowed to sustain its struggle until the federal government extends the retirement age it’s members across the country. 

    Recal that former President Muhammadu Buhari on October, 2020 announced a special package  and approved the extension of the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 with the exclusion of the non-teaching staff.

    But speaking during the quadrennial delegates Conference of the Schools and Colleges Trade Group Council in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at weekend, the National deputy President/Chairman of Schools & Colleges, Haruna Kamara, described the federal government’s action as descriminatory.

    He saidstaff: “As you must have known on October, 2020 the then president Mohammadu Buhari announced a special package for teachers and excluded non-teaching staff in public primary and post primary schools. 

    “Having realised that our members are qualified; some are graduates, some have master and Phds but because they are not not teaching staff they were exempted. We have written several letters to State governors on this particular issue to draw their attention on the need to reexamine the policy and we have done protest all over the country. 

    “The struggle to get the enabling laws reviewed and state governments to key into adopting the policy continues”

    In a joint address presented at the occasion, the chairman NASU- SUBEB` branch, Akwa Ibom State, Aniefiok Simon appealed to the government of Akwa Ibom state to grant approval for new retirement age for non-teaching staff.

    Read Also: Subsidy removal: NASU advocates ‘well packaged’ palliatives for Nigerians

    He said that teachers cannot supervise themselves adding that there is need for the state government to look into the  policy again. 

    He noted: “Teachers cannot supervise themselves. Therefore, there is great need for government to look inward in ensuring that the good intentions for the education sector is well supervised and it’s the role of non-teaching staff (especially education officers) to carry out this responsibilities. 

    “Government on itself cannot do it. We therefore passionately appeal and request that our government through the head of service should grant approval for the new retirement age and length of service to non-teaching staff.”

  • Striking NASU workers shut LASPOTECH gate

    Members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) branch, locked the gates of the institution’s main campus in Ikorodu yesterday over non-payment of their March salary.

    The union has been on strike since January over their demand for the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) 15 migration, which would see workers moving from one salary grade level to the other.

    There has been disagreement between the union and the institution’s Governing Council over the implementation of the CONTISS 15 since 2016.

    However, things took an alarming turn yesterday when members of the union locked the entrance gate to the school and sent those found on campus away.  The union members also went to the LASPOTECH staff school and sent the pupils and teachers home.

    The Nation gathered that the workers, who had been receiving salary since the strike began in January, were shocked when they were not paid for March.

    A member of staff, who refused the give her name after finding her way to get into the premises, told The Nation that representatives of the union held a meeting with the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri Okunola, on Tuesday, but “I don’t know the outcome of the meeting.”

    Read also: LASPOTECH: Understanding the CONTISS imbroglio

    It was learnt that the Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, left the campus for Alausa to discuss the crisis with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Contacted, the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations, Mr Olanrewaju Kuye, said the salaries had not been paid because those responsible for its preparation were not allowed to work.

    “We are on strike. We cannot go to our offices so how can we work? How can salaries be paid?  We only go round our offices but cannot enter. This is why the salaries have not been paid,” he said.

    Around 4pm, policemen arrived and ordered the workers to re-open the gate. They remained on campus patrolling the area as at press time.

     

  • NASU shuts down Ibadan Poly over unpaid salary arrears

    The Non-Academic Staff Union ( NASU )of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, on Tuesday, embarked on a peaceful protest over unpaid salary arrears.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the protest disrupted both academic and administrative activities on the institution’s campus as the entrance gates were locked.

    A NAN correspondent, who monitored the development, also reports that there was traffic snarl in front of the institution on the Sango – Eleyele road as workers, students and visitors were locked out by the striking union.

    The Chairman of the union, Ibrahim Akande, said NASU had embarked on indefinite industrial action since Jan. 14 and had yet to receive the attention of the school’s management and the government.

    Read Also: How to share N8b allowance, by NASU

    “We are agitating for eight months salary arrears owed us by the government since 2017.

    “We have held series of meeting with the management and Oyo State Government all to no avail.

    “So we are agitating for our right; we have shut down the institution because there is nothing we can do than to go on strike.

    “We are staging a peaceful protest and there will be a press conference at the NLC secretariat on Tuesday,” Akande said.

  • NASU MINILS begins indefinite strike

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions ( NASU ) of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Kwara state said it has commenced indefinite industrial action.

    The union hinged its decision to embark on the strike on the insensitivity of the institute’s director general and other management staff.

    Reasons for the strike are issues bordering on withholding of 2017 and 2018 promotion, staff capacity building, staff cadre conversion, lack of tools and equipment to work with, staff welfare among others.

    In a statement branch chairperson and secretary, R.O Adebayo and Joel Afolayan said: “It is pertinent to note that all the issues in dispute have been on for almost two (2) years which have defied all internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

    “These issues were further reported to the union’s headquarters and subsequently dominated the discussion at the last research and projects trade group council meeting of the union held on November 21, 2018 in the Institute where the Director-General and some members of its management were present.

    Read Also: Kogi, labour disagree over unpaid salary

    “At the referred council meeting, a verbal twenty-one (21) day ultimatum was issued by the union’ headquarters to the DG to resolve all the lingering issues which at its expiration on December 13, 2018, another twenty-one (21) days ultimatum was issued in a letter dated 10th Dec., 2018 with reference number NASU/R/199/VOL.IV/170 effective from December 17, 2018 which eventually lapses midnight of yesterday 6th January, 2019.

    “The development above dovetailed into the imperativeness of the branch’s resolve to carry out the headquarters’ directive so as to salvage the welfare of our members and the future of the Institute.

    “Finally, in a strong term, the union (NASU, MINILS) should not be held responsible for the latent and manifest consequences of this action because we have done all within the extant rules to prevent it.

    However, the Director General and the management staff of the institute should be held responsible for it.”

  • How to share N8b allowance, by NASU

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has praised the Federal Government for its release of additional N8 billion as  part payment of the outstanding arrears of earned allowances to non-teaching staff. It called for speedy action on its disbursement.

    The union made the call at the end of an emergency meeting of NASU universities and inter-university centres trade group council in Abuja.

    In a resolution after the meeting, NASU urged government to observe the principles of equity and fairness in the sharing of the allowance to universities and inter-university centres and consider centres that did not benefit from the earlier released N23 billion.

    The union warned that if the issue  is not resolved soon, it may be forced to go on strike.

    NASU expressed shock that the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU) could order a three-day protest on the disbursement of the allowance and the implementation of the staff school judgment without carrying along NAAT and NASU.

    It noted that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike was on the revitalisation of university education and other issues bordering on staff welfare. It  reiterated  its commitment to the struggle for proper funding of education with particular emphasis on university education.

    It added: “We also reaffirm our demand for the payment of the outstanding arrears of the earned allowances as well as the continued payment of same by ensuring the inclusion of all the needed funds for the payment in the 2019 budget.

    “Council-in-session, therefore, calls on the Federal Government in the spirit of fairness to deal with the issue of payment of Earned Allowances and sustenance of same by consciously including the non-teaching staff of universities and inter-university centres in the next release of fund for payment of same.”

  • NASU urges Fed Govt to end crisis in varsities

    THE Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) has asked the Federal Government to take immediate steps to address the lingering crisis in the education sector, especially in the universities to enable normal academic activities resume in the new year.

    The union resolved that if by the end of December, the issue of disbursement of the Earned Allowances is not positively resolved, the union will have no other option than to in the new year begin actions to get the government do the needful on the subject matter.

    It also asked the government to include the issue of earned allowances, which is one of the lingering issues between government and university workers in the 2019 budget, while ensuring equitable distribution of N8 billion released for earned allowances of non-teaching staff of universities.

    In a communique at the end of an emergency meeting of its Universities and Inter-universities Centres Trade Group, NASU hailed the government for the release of additional N8 billion, representing a further part payment of the outstanding arrears of Earned Allowances to the non-teaching staff.

    It also called on the appropriate agencies of the Federal Government to expedite action on the disbursement of the released amount before the end of 2018.

    The communique was signed by Deputy President/Chairman of Council, Comrade Geoffrey Ugwu and Senior Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Festus Ajayi.

    It called on the relevant agencies of government to observe the principles of equity and fairness in the sharing of the N8 billion to universities and  centres that did not benefit from the  earlier released N23 billion.

    The union acknowledged the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in respect of the revitalisation of university education and other issues and reiterated its commitment in the struggle for the proper funding of education.

    It expressed shock that the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU)  ordered a three-day protest on the issues of the disbursement of the N8 billion Earned Allowances and the implementation of the staff school judgment without taking on board the two other unions in the Joint Action Committee like NAAT and NASU.

  • Stop these killings now, NASU tells Buhari

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions ( NASU ), has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately ensure the stoppage of this blood-lettings and carnage in parts of the country, especially the recent killings in Jos, Plateau state.

    Rising from its National Executive Council meeting, the Union said while the achievement recorded by the government in tackling the Boko Haram issue is commendable, the high incidence of the killer Herdsmen menace, kidnapping, armed robbery and resurgence of Boko Haram activities in recent times is worrisome.

    In a communique signed by the National President of the Union, Comrade Chris Ani and General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the Union also expressed concern over the growing tension in the land regarding the forthcoming 2019 general elections in Nigeria and the recent movement by politicians from one political party to the other to fulfill their political ambitions.

    The union said this was as a result of the lack of political ideology by Nigeria political parties as being responsible for this ugly development which is purely for the selfish interest of politicians and called on politicians to have the interest of the masses at heart and conduct themselves in a manner that will ensure the success of the year 2019 general elections and desist from doing anything that will truncate the electoral process.

    They appealed to all eligible voters to remain peaceful, law abiding and ensure that they come out in mass during the elections to vote for the candidates of their choice.

    They lamented high tax deductions being made as Pay As You Earn (P.A.Y.E) by the Federal and State Governments via their Boards of Internal Revenue (B.I.R) from Nigeria workers and asked the government to immediately put an end to such deductions.

    The union condemned the 7% budgetary allocation to education in year 2018 Federal budget, which is a far cry from the 26% UNESCO recommended budgetary allocation to education.

    It observed that in admittance of under funding of education, the Federal Government in year 2013, approved the sum of N800 Billion for the Universities as intervention funds and released the sum of N200 Billion the same year as first tranche after which no further release has been made.

    The Union said further that in the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education sectors where Needs Assessments were carried out in 2013, Government is yet to release the White Paper thereby negatively affecting the release of intervention funds in the sectors.

    They called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, improve on the budgetary allocation to the Education Sector and also release the outstanding tranches of intervention funds for 2014, 2015 and 2016 for the Universities. In the same vein, NEC call on the Federal Government to release the White Paper for the Needs Assessments in the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education sectors.

    They also expressed concern over the under funding of the health sector in the country, pointing out that it was sad that the leaders and privileged individuals in the country often embark on medical tourism for simple ailment which is a demonstration of lack of confidence on the nation’s health sector.

    It called on the Federal and State Governments to improve on the funding of their Primary and Tertiary Health Institutions as well as ensure the provision of adequate facilities and equipment for them to meet international standards to avert brain-drain syndrome and capital flight which results from the money expended annually on foreign treatment by top Government functionaries and other privileged Nigerians.

    The union commended the Federal Government for the funds released so far for payment of Earned Allowances to the Non-Teaching staff in the Universities and Inter-University Centres, but called on the Government to clear the outstanding arrears of the Earned Allowances and ensure that the 2019 budget takes care of the allowance on a month-to-month basis.

    While commending the federal government for setting up a committee to renegotiate 2009 and 2010 FGN/NASU Agreements for Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it expressed dismay, the slow pace of work being done by the FGN Re-negotiation Teams which have not met for several months now.

    The union urged the Re-negotiation Teams to expedite action on the re-negotiating process in the three sectors mentioned above to ensure that the re-negotiations are concluded in good time.

    While expressing concern over the rising spate of unemployment in the country which remained unabated, the union said the situation has “needlessly resulted in some graduates taking to crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, internet fraud as well as being ready tools in the hands of insurgents, politicians and sponsors of communal crisis.”

    The union said the unemployment situation was a by-product of gross disparity inherent in the nation’s planning and haphazard execution of projects aimed at generating employment opportunities that should absorb the numerous graduates being turned out annually by tertiary institutions.

  • NASU is set for nationwide protest

    NASU is set for nationwide protest

     

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU is set for a nationwide protest over the ongoing National strike action embarked upon by the Joint Action committee.

    According to a document obtained by The Nation the protest tagged “Peaceful rally” will hold on March 8 in University of Abuja.

    The non-academic staff union members are protesting against alleged disparity in payment of Earned allowance to workers in Nigerian Universities.

    It should be recalled that the workers went on strike on December 4,2017 but after a meeting with the Federal Government on December 19, nothing has been heard on negotiations with leadership of JAC claiming that it is yet to hear from the Federal government.