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ASUU extends strike by three months

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The ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been rolled over for another 12 weeks.

According to a statement signed by ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, this was to give the government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues.

The statement also said that the roll-over strike was effective from 12.01 am, May 9, 2021.

ASUU said it took this decision after its National Executive Council meeting which started on Sunday night at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja.

The statement read, “After extensive deliberations, noting Government’s failure to live up to its responsibilities and speedily address all the issues raised in the 2020 FGN/ASUU Memorandum of Action (MoA) within the additional eight-week roll–over strike period declared on 14th March 2022, NEC resolved that the strike be rolled over for twelve weeks to give Government more time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues.

“The roll-over strike action is with effect from 12.01 a.m. on Monday, 9th May 2022.”

The press release titled, ‘Update on ASUU roll-over strike,’ read, “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held an emergency meeting on Sunday, 8th May 2022 at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja.

“The meeting was called to review developments since the Union declared an eight-week total and comprehensive roll-over strike action at the end of its emergency NEC meeting at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja on 14th March, 2022. The strike action came on the heels of the Government’s failure to satisfactorily implement the Memorandum of Action (MoA) it signed with the Union in December 2020 on renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), funding for revitalization of public universities (both Federal and States), proliferation and governance issues in State Universities, promotion arrears, withheld salaries (owed for over 20 months in some cases), and Non-emittance of third-party deductions.”

READ  ASUU declares indefinite strike, plans increased media engagement

It added that NEC noted with serious disappointment that the three-man Committee set up by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 1st February 2022 to resolve the lingering issues between ASUU and FGN had not called a single meeting to date.

“NEC was equally disappointed that ASUU’s only meeting with the Professor Nimi Briggs-led Renegotiation Committee did not reflect the expected level of understanding, preparation and clarity that undergird collective bargaining going by the Committee’s confession of “going about consulting stakeholders”. Unless urgent steps are taken to redirect the Committee on concluding a draft Agreement that has been pending since May 2021, its activities may end up as another wild goose chase,” it read.

ASUU NEC also condemned Federal Government’s cavalier attitude towards the strike action in the last twelve weeks, saying the government’s resort to the use of starvation as a weapon for breaking the collective resolve of ASUU members and undermine our patriotic struggle to reposition public universities in Nigeria was ill-advised and may prove counterproductive.

READ  Strike: FG orders VCs to reopen universities, resume lectures

According to the statement, “NEC was shocked that public universities have remained closed for about three months while members of the political class were busy purchasing expression of interest and nomination forms worth several millions of Naira in preparations for 2023 elections! Those in power turned their back on our degraded universities as they shuttle between Europe and America to celebrate the graduation of their children and wards from world class universities. This speaks volumes on the level of depravity, insensitivity, and irresponsibility of Nigeria’s opportunistic and parasitic political class.

“The result of the criminal neglect of education and gross mismanagement of the nation’s patrimony is evident in the collapse of the security architecture of our nation. Insecurity is getting worse by the day and spreading like the harmattan inferno in hitherto peaceful and secured parts of Nigeria, including university campuses. ASUU warns, once more, that unless something drastic is done to reverse these ugly trends, the country may be headed for a state of anarchy.

READ  Court strikes out DSS’ motion for reversal of bail to Igboho’s associates

“NEC condemned the provocative statements of some government functionaries and salutes the Nigerian Labour Congress, patriotic students’ groups and civil society organisations who have taken steps towards resolving the current labour dispute with the Nigeria government.

“NEC found the planned overseas trip organised by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities’ Spouses (CVCNUS) despicable and condemnable. The advertised five-day conference in Istanbul is a waste of scarce resources of our universities; it is insensitive and provocative, particularly at a time like this when lecturers are denied their salaries for daring to struggle to improve the lot of our public universities.”

Last Friday, it was reported that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, during a meeting with the striking National Association of Academic Technologists promised to meet with ASUU this week.
However, Osodeke told our correspondent, that the union had yet to receive any notice of meeting from any Federal Government ministry.

Some of ASUU’s demands include the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the UTAS payment platform for the payment of salaries and allowances of university lecturers.

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Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In The Newspapers Today: Nationwide blackout as national grid collapses again

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1.Nationwide darkness hit Nigeria as the National Grid collapsed for the fourth time in 2024 amid the Easter Holidays. According to sources from electricity Distribution companies in Nigeria, the grid collapsed around 4:30 pm on Thursday.

 

2. Hoodlums numbering about 30 on Thursday burnt a part of the Anaocha Local Government Headquarters in Neni, Anambra State.The hoodlums, who were said to be heavily armed, also set ablaze the Neni Police Station.

 

3. The price of cement decreased between 22 per cent and 26 per cent for a 50kg bag in the Federal Capital Territory within the last five weeks. A market survey conducted on Thursday by DAILY POST in Jabi, Area 10, Kubwa, Lugbe, Utako, Lifecamp and Gwarinpa showed that the price of Dangote and BUA cement dropped to N7,800 and N11,000 per 50kg bag from 10,000 and N15,000 on February 16, 2024.

 

4. Ikolo Clement, King of Ewu kingdom and one of the suspects declared wanted by the Nigerian military, has surrendered himself to the authorities. Clement, a newly installed traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, was among the eight persons declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters.

READ  Agreement reached with ASUU, others, strike ends soon –FG

 

5. A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus and members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the party for the 2023 general elections in Rivers State have declared support for President Bola Tinubu and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara. A former Minister of Transportation and the Director-General, PDP-PCC Rivers State, Dr Abiye Sekibo, made the declaration at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

 

6. The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has shut down the KFC outlet in Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos over discriminatory treatment meted out to a passenger with Reduced Mobility. The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, Mrs Obiageli Orah, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

 

7. Detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has sued the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over the alleged violation of his fundamental rights. Gambaryan, in a motion dated and filed 18 March by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu, sought five reliefs before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

READ  Strike: FG orders VCs to reopen universities, resume lectures

 

8. A Federal High Court in Borno State has ordered the military to release 313 suspected terrorists, for lack of evidence to nail the suspects after investigations. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Gen. Buba Edward, on Thursday, disclosed this during a briefing on military operations across the country in Abuja.

 

9.The Defence Headquarters has said troops neutralized 121 terrorists, apprehended 253 and rescued 244 kidnapped victims in different operations across the country in one week. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba disclosed this while giving an update on military operations on Thursday in Abuja.

 

10. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, on Thursday, said it has uncovered fraudulent methods used by syndicates to sell rice below the claimed weight at the Garki Modern Market, Abuja. The commission in a statement signed by its acting Executive Vice Chairman, Adamu Abdullahi, said the fraudulent practice was discovered after a targeted enforcement operation at the modern market.

READ  How my govt resolved four-month ASUU strike in one night - Former President Jonathan

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Kaduna Gov Sani offers free education to rescued Kuriga students

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Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has offered free education to the rescued Kuriga school students under his foundation. 

 

The governor also promised to rebuild the LEA primary and government secondary school in Kuriga, in addition to providing other basic infrastructure in the community.

 

Addressing the children at the state house before their departure to Kuriga on Thursday, Governor Sani assured them that the kidnapping incident, would not in any way affect their education, stating that adequate security has been provided to the Kuriga community, to ensure that the residents go about their daily lives without fear.

 

He also announced an N10m donation to the family of the head teacher, Abubakar Isah who died in captivity, as well as offered scholarships to his children up to university level.

 

“Yesterday, the parents came here, met the children and everyone was happy. I would like to give credit to the children who have since been handed over to the Kaduna State government. They were very patient with us. They also understand the situation they found themselves in. When they came back, we realised that some of their situations were serious mentally. That was why we decided to engage the services of psychologists, and they went through a lot of sessions with doctors and nurses, counselling and therapy. I am happy that all the children here are extremely happy and in high spirits.

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“When we met two days ago, they told me they did not want to go back home, and that they wanted to stay with me for the next two weeks. But I told them it was not possible, and that they had to go home. Their parents are missing them after about 17 days since they last saw them.

 

“They will go home by the grace of God today. And I want to say here today, that all the 137, like I promised them; will be my students by the grace of God. I have already directed the Uba Sani Foundation which has been in existence for the past 16 years delivering free education and healthcare, to look after them.

 

“I have also directed, that a lot of renovation be put in place in the community and the schools because to me, Kuriga community is one of the most peaceful communities in Kaduna State.

READ  ASUU strike: Group, parents beg ASUU to obey court’s resumption order

 

“All the children are back safely, but we lost only one teacher, and may his soul rest in peace. Mallam Abubakar was a good man, and his children have missed him. We all miss him. He was one of the most resourceful teachers in the school, but we lost him.

 

“The Kaduna State government will be supporting the children of Mallam Abubakar through school. We will also be supporting the family with N10m because of what they went through. Mallam Abubakar died due to some medical conditions he had. May his would rest in peace,” he said.

 

The fresh move comes after the governor was said to have allegedly employed the services of a private negotiator, a move which had led to the release of the students from captivity.

 

The news of the children’s release met with further questioning from the public, who demanded an explanation of how the governor was able to secure their freedom.

 

However, while speaking on Channel Television’s Sunday Politics, the governor argued that it was irrelevant whether or not a ransom was paid to free the abducted Kuriga students.

READ  Lagos lawmakers visit Tinubu in London

 

According to him, what was important was the fact that the government had been able to rescue all of them unhurt.

 

He said: “What is more important today is that our children are back home. Most of those permutations are not necessary. If your child is kidnapped, will you be sitting down and talking about how he was released?

“For me, what is more important is that those children are back home. Their parents are extremely happy and what is important to them is to reunite with their children.

 

“But some people who have no business with the situation are the ones coming out with some irresponsible permutations about whether ransom is being paid, whether someone had gone into the kinetic or non-kinetic approach. What is important to us in Kaduna is that the children are back home.”

 

The schoolchildren were abducted from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga, about four weeks ago, however, the Defence Headquarters, on Saturday, said they had been rescued.

 

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FAAN shuts KFC at Lagos airport over alleged discrimination against Gbenga Daniel’s son

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it has shut down Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), an international fast food restaurant chain, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, over discrimination against a passenger.

 

On March 27, Debola Daniel, son of Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun state, had posted on his official X page about his experience at KFC, MMIA branch.

 

According to Daniel, the restaurant had stopped him and his family from entering, stating that “no wheelchairs were allowed”.

 

“Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was apparently the manager – called out loudly, ‘No Wheelchairs Allowed’,” he posted.

 

“She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.

 

“I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability.”

Reacting to the development in a statement on Thursday, Obiageli Orah, director, public affairs and consumer protection at FAAN, said the authority had investigated the matter and made their decision.

 

READ  Strike: Appeal court recommends out-of-court settlement for FG, ASUU

 

Orah added that the shutdown will take effect from today, March 28.

 

“In line with Lagos State law on people with special needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions n Discrimination which states that, ‘A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person’,” FAAN said.

 

“The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has closed the KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with effect from March 28, 2024.

 

“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

 

The MD/CE of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi, Kuku intervened swiftly by deploying a management team comprising the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection,  Mrs Obiageli Orah, the Regional  Manager  South West, Mr Sunday Ayodele, Ag. General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo and the International Terminal Manager, Mr Kerri, to investigate the allegation. 

 

READ  Five months after, SSANU, NASU suspend strike

“It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN  has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.”

 

Orah said the authority has instructed KFC management to tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation.

 

The authority also apologised to Daniel and assured all airport users that they will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon.

 

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