Non-academic unions in Nigerian universities yesterday began a one-week warning strike to protest the Federal Government’s non-implementation of the 2009 agreement it entered into with it.
Chairman, University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) NASU, Mr. Yakubu Simon, told reporters that the strike began after series of meetings with members of the union.
Simon said the Federal Government needed to implement the 2009 agreement for the good of all universities.
His words: “We are on strike because of poor funding, increase in corruption in the system, as well as shortfall in staff salaries and more. It is a one-week warning strike and we will take our decision at the end of the strike.
“On corruption, management of universities should find a way of fighting it. If a particular person is found wanting and is brought to book, it will deter others.
“Students also need to help us by reporting any lecturer who asks for bribe instead of keeping such issues to themselves.
“By doing so, it will help us curb corruption on the campus.”
Tag: SSANU
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NASU, SSANU begin one-week warning strike
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SSANU condemns issuance of letters of warning to members
Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has condemned the letters of warning issued to its 23 members recalled members by the management of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
23 members of SSANU in FUNAAB were suspended by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole for exposing his alleged fraudulent activities to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but were later recalled back to work.
Addressing reporters at the weekend, the National Vice President of SSANU, Comrade Alfred Jimoh said some powerful and aggrieved individual in FUNAAB, who appeared not pleased with the unconditional recall are still mounting pressure on its members.
“As we speak now, these evil geniuses of FUNAAB have succeeded in their evil machinations. Right now, we are in possession of letters of warning issued to all the 23 SSANU members purported to have been recalled unconditionally. If this is allowed to stay, it will not only defeat the unconditional clause of the recall, it will no doubt activate another round of struggle struggle struggle struggle disguised punishment to our members arising from the on-going struggle against corruption, shall b unacceptable to us. -
Corruption: SSANU seeks law to protect whistleblowers
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), is seeking a law to protect whistleblowers of corruption being perpetrated by vice chancellors and other top officials of the nation’s universities.
SSANU National Vice President, Comrade Alfred Jimoh, made the call on the sidelines of a two-day Western Zonal Women Conference of the body held at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, Ikogosi Ekiti in Ekiti State.
The theme of the conference was: SSANU and Gender Mainstreaming: Empowering Women at Zonal and Branch Levels.
Jimoh, who is also SSANU Chairman for Western Zone, demanded an unconditional recall and reinstatement of all members of the union sacked at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and the University of Abuja for reporting official corruption to anti-graft agencies.Those at FUNAAB have been re-instated.
Apart from their reinstatement, the union leader also called for protection of their lives, jobs and property in view of the threat they face for exposing fraud in their institutions.
He said the union fully supports the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari but expressed doubts about the commitment some of his aides and senior political office holders to fight the scourge.
The SSANU chief described corruption as one of the greatest problems facing the university sector and urged the government not to look the other way when workers exposing graft and abuse of office are victimised.
He said: “Our regret is that the government we are trying to assist by exposing corruption and impunity seems to be looking the other way while our members are being made cannon fodder sand guinea pigs.
“SSANU feels seriously concerned about the problem of corruption in the university system and the Federal Government should walk its talk by coming out with law and policy to protect whistleblowers.
“We also want to call on anti-graft agencies to be expeditious in their constitutional responsibilities and also appeal to other agencies that are also needed to make the work of anti-corruption agencies easier.”
Jimoh called on the Federal Government to implement the 2009 Agreement reached with SSANU and pay the N150 billion arrears of earned allowances owed its members.
Chairman of SSANU, Ekiti State University (EKSU) branch, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, said earned allowances arrears had accumulated for over five years without payment.
He regretted that the monthly subvention of N260 million received by his university no longer covers the monthly wage bill of N450 million.
Olatunde explained that his members are only being paid net salaries while deductions, check off dues and earned allowances are left unpaid with the situation causing hardship to workers.
He advocated payment of staff salaries as and when due and increment of subvention to the level to ease disbursement of entitlements of union members.
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SSANU demands sack of VCs over alleged corruption
The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sack three vice-chancellors over alleged abuse of office, gross misconduct and corrupt practices.
The vice-chancellors are: Prof Olusola Oyewole of Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Prof Biyi Daramola of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Prof. Michael Adikwu of University of Abuja(UNIABUJA).
SSANU’s national vice-president western zone, Comrade Alfred Jimoh made the call yesterday while addressing reporters at Ibadan.
He accused Oyewole of sacking SSANU members when he discovered they exposed his alleged corruption and abuse of office to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Jimoh said: “As at the last count, he has sacked 23 members of SSANU in FUNAAB without following due process and he is still threatening to sack more.
“Yet he has not been able to disprove any of the allegations against him.
“Also in FUTA, a similar scenario is happening and Prof Daramola has been accused of corrupt practices and should be placed on suspension.
“At UNIABUJA, Adikwu has suspended the chairman and secretary of SSANU without even half salary for daring to ask questions about ongoing maladministration in the University of Abuja.”
He alleged SSANU members were being victimised for keying into the anti-corruption crusade of the current administration.
The union called for immediate recall and protection of all its members sacked by the rampaging vice chancellors.
It also demanded for immediate arraignment of the affected vice chancellors by the EFCC and ICPC.
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SSANU set to shut down FUNNAB over sack of 23 members
The National leadership of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) is set for a show down with the management of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, over the sack of 23 of its members.
The union claimed its members were sacked for exposing alleged corrupt practices by the Vice Chancellor and management of the institution.
In a communique at the end of its National Executive Council meeting, SSANU said contrary to insinuations from the management of the institution that the union members were disengaged for various act of insubordination, stealing among others, the staff were sacked for reporting corrupt practices in the institution to the EFCC and ICPC.
The union also wants the federal government to institute a special visitation panel to investigate the activities of the Vice Chancellor and the leadership of other institutions accused of corrupt practices.
The Governing Council of the university had last Thursday approved the sack of 23 SSANU members, including the entire branch executive of the association, its National Public Relations Officer, the Bursar, three medical doctors and two medical workers.
The management of the institution claimed that the staff were sacked for “stealing of University property, insubordination and willful disobedience to lawful instructions” , absconding from assigned duty posts, engaging in sabotage and other forms of gross misconduct prejudicial to good governance and peace of the University.
The union threatened to take legal action to protect the rights of its members and asked the EFCC to immediately conclude its investigation into the petition against the Vice Chancellor and management of the institution.
The communique signed by the association’s National President, Comrade Samson Chijioke Ugwoke and the National PRO, Comrade A.O. Salaam, read in part: “SSANU NEC in session received the disgusting and shocking news of the recent developments at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, where twenty-three (23) members of the Union, including the entire branch executive of SSANU had their appointments terminated for union activities and for reporting crime to the appropriate organs of government.
“NEC noted that members of the Union, in spite of the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, reported serious cases of abuse of power and corruption to the federal government through the presidency, the federal ministry of education, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
“NEC further noted that following invitation of the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor by the EFCC, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, began a reign of terror and clampdown on the petitioner’s and the union, culminating in the termination of their appointments without following due process as stipulated by law despite the fact that the matter is pending in court.
“NEC in session was surprised that rather than being commended for playing roles in the national interest, their appointments were terminated as a cover-up and in retaliation for exposing the rot, corruption and fraud inherent within the system.”
The union also “condemns the exposure, hazards and tension which members of the union have been exposed to since the investigation started.
“NEC requests the EFCC to speedily conclude its investigations and further demands that the Federal Government urgently intervenes by setting up Special Visitation/Investigation Panels into the affairs of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, University of Abuja, Federal University of Technology, Akure, and other universities where allegations of corruption have been levelled against the Vice-Chancellors.
“NEC resolved that it would do everything legally possible to ensure the reinstatement of the sacked workers and urges the Federal Government to act swiftly in the interest of overall peace in the university system.”
Three SSANU members had recently petitioned the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olusola Oyewole to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over allegations bordering on corruption and abuse of office leading to the detention of the Vice-Chancellor by the anti graft agency.
“The National leadership of SSANU had encouraged three of the members to petition the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor to the EFCC, the ICPC, the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Education over alleged corruption and abuse of office.” -
Ssanu to Buhari: probe Nigeria’s stinking varsities
The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) has appeaed to President Muhammadu Buhari to probe universities, which it claims stinks of corruption.
Rising from its National Executive Council meeting, the union asked President Muhammadu Buhari to beam his anti-corruption searchlight on vice chancellors and governing councils of universities.
In a communique by the National President, Comrade Samson Ugokwe, and National Public Relations Officer Salaam Abdussobur, the union said: “NEC noted various allegations against pro-chancellors, vice-chancellors and councils, involved in fraudulent actions, illegal appointments, shady contracts, diversion of funds, and other corrupt practices, and agreed that the level of rot and sleaze in our university system needs to be checked, as our ivory towers are now havens of corruption run by greedy, inept, incompetent and rapacious administrators.
“The minister of Education, must put corruption in the front-burner of his engagements, investigate all reports brought to his attention and not spare any indicted university official.
“To this end, SSANU requests the Visitor(s) to our universities to constitute Visitation Panels to review affairs of these universities, and where Visitation Panels have presented reports, come up with a White-Paper for implementation.”
On the fight against terrorism and insurgency, the union acknowledged the success of the Army against Boko Haram terrorists in the Northeast, but however, expressed worry about the increasing rates of different forms of insurgency and criminality.
It denounced the Fulani herdsmen and militants, who foist a reign of terror on hapless citizens, adding that the abduction of the oba of Iba in Lagos and the desecration of the traditional stool by the perpetrators, are pointers to how daring criminals have become.
The union said this was unacceptable and calls on governments to rise up with a view to stamping out this new dimension of criminality.
On non payment of salaries by states, the union observed that while some states claim to be finding it difficult to fund existing state universities and pay salaries, they were establishing new ones, and frowned at what it described as “the hypocrisy of the governors.”
They condemned the attitude of governors owing university staff for three months or even going up to a year, as in Niger Delta University; Imo State University; Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Adamawa State University, Mubi; Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso; and Ekiti State University.
“The delay in payment of salaries to workers is not only anti-labour but criminal, especially when it appears the money for salaries were allocated but seem to have been diverted to other activities.
“NEC enjoins the governors to release outstanding subventions owed universities, and pay salaries of university workers. NEC also noted that some federal universities are paid percentages of the total allocations on personnel costs.
“These shortfalls in subventions have led to pay-cuts. NEC in session urges the Federal Government to address shortfalls in subventions and payoutstanding arrears of Earned Allowances arising from the haphazard implementation of the 2009 SSANU/FGN Agreement in the interest of industrial peace in the universities.”
The union decried the dilapidated state of roads and other social infrastructure, saying “it is shameful that a country, which has realised billions of dollars in crude oil sales for years, cannot maintain its roads; no thanks to endemic corruption.
“NEC appeals to the Federal Government to declare an emergencyon roads to save Nigerians from avoidable loss of lives through accidents and other mishaps.”
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Our Universities stinks of corruption, SSANU tells Buhari
The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) has accused Pro-Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities of corruption and running the nation’s ivory tower aground through fraudulent activities, diversion of funds and awarding shady contracts.
Rising from its National Executive Council meeting, the Union asked President Muhammadu Buhari to beam his anti-corruption searchlight on the Vice Chancellors and the governing council of the universities if the anti-corruption battle is to succeed.
In a communique signed by the National President, Comrade Samson Ugokwe and National Public Relations Officer, Salaam Abdussobur, the Union said the government must take urgent steps to check the rot and sleaze in the ivory tower which they said have become haven of corruption being run by greedy, inept, incompetent and rapacious administrators.
The union applauded the efforts of the government in fighting the hydra-headed monster of corruption which has crippled the economy, embarrassed the country in international circles and caused untold pains and hardship to Nigerians.
The union ask the Federal Government to do more, by shifting its attention from the political class, and beaming its search light on the Nigerian University System.
The communique said “NEC noted various allegations against Pro-Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors and Councils, involved in fraudulent actions, illegal appointments, shady contracts, diversion of funds, and other corrupt practices and agreed that the level of rot and sleaze in our University system needs to be checked, as our ivory towers are now havens of corruption being run by greedy, inept, incompetent and rapacious administrators.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, must put the issue of corruption in the front-burner of his engagements, investigate all reports brought to his attention and not spare any University official found indicted.
“To this end, SSANU requests the Visitor(s) to our Universities to urgently constitute Visitation Panels to review the affairs of these Universities, and where Visitation Panels have presented reports, come up with White-Papers of the Reports for implementation.” -
OAU Non-Teaching staffs protest over new VC’s appointment
All activities at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife were paralysed on Wednesday when the non-teaching staffs of the university locked down the instituton to protest over the appointment of the new vice chancellor, Prof Ayobami Taofeek Salami for the Institution despite court order restraining it.
The Governing Council of the OAU had on Tuesday announced the appointment of Professor Ayobami Salami as the new vice chancellor of the institution.
Vehicular movement came to a halt and was disrupted causing traffic gridlock for over three hours within the institution.
The protest which is the second in less than a week was started around 8:30 am, which was led by the Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, (SSANU), Comrade Ademola Oketunde and Chairman Non Academic Staff Union of Universities, (NASUy, Comrade Wole Odewumi.
The two union leaders expressed shock at the violation of court order by by the Governing Council.
The protest started in February this year when eligible candidates were signifying interest in the post of the new VC which became vacant on the 23rd of this month.
The protest after some hours turned to a prayer session where they were calling for God’s intervention.
The union members also later staged their protest to the house of the VC, which was alleged to have been renovated with N150 million.
Addressing the it’s members, Comrade Oketunde described the appointment of Prof Salami as the new VC of the university as a ‘contempt of court order’.
“We started this protest since Tuesday when we heard that the university governing council has appointed a new VC without waiting for the court judgement we filled against them. The court has ordered them not to appoint any VC until they give their judgement but they went ahead to fault this order” he said
Oketunde disclosed that the union has filled a contempt of court against the university management and it’s governing council, adding that the case will be for hearing on Friday.
Efforts of the outgoing VC, Prof Bamitale Omole and the Chairman of the Institution’s Governing Council, Prof Ndoma Egba to douse the tension, were not successful,
However, Public Relations Officer, OAU,Aiodubn Olanrewaju said the guidelines for appointment of the new VC was never violated.
Olarewaju noted that the institution’s council followed due process and ensured transparency in the appointment of Prof Salami as the new VC.
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SSANU unhappy with funding of education
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU) has decried what it termed deliberate underfunding of the education sector by the government, saying the allocation of N403 billion to the sector in the 2016 Budget was grossly inadequate.
The Association, in a communiqué at the end of its National Executive Council Meeting, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately send a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to take care of the short fall in the budgetary allocation to the sector.
The communiqué signed by the National President of the body, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, described the allocation as disappointment and far cry from the 26 percent UNESCO standard.
The Union said the allocation was extremely low and cannot have any positive impact on the educational sector, stressing that the allocation to the education sector is grossly disproportionate to the needs of the sector.
It stressed “that many countries with less incomes and population than Nigeria, place more premium on budgetary allocations on education and finds it ironic that a government that promised to employ 500, 000 teachers can devote so grossly meager sums to the educational sector.”
The union also reminded the government that the renegotiation of the SSANU/FGN 2009 agreement was long over due, adding that the continued delay will not be good for the university sub-sector.
It faulted the delay in setting up a negotiation committee, noting that this “ was not in the best interest of peace in our universities”.
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SSANU attacks vice-chancellors
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has accused vice-chancellors of sabotaging the effort to end its three-week strike.
Speaking through the Chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI) chapter, Comrade Wale Akinremi, said at its congress that 24 hours after meeting with the minister of Education, vice-chancellors started advertising vacancy for the positions of our members.
He said: “After the minister of Education told us we should let them look into the matter and will call us to suspend the strike, less than 24 hours later the universities started advertising vacancy for the positions of our members.
“This shows that the vice-chancellors are not interested in the peaceful industrial relations in the university sector and it is unfair to the this administration, which is keen on restoring the lost glory of education.”