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ASUU members protest in Ibadan, say FG lawless, merciless

Published

1 year ago

November 28, 2022

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Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the University of Ibadan (UI) branch on Monday protested what they described as “merciless treatment” of university lecturers by the Federal Government.

The protesting lecturers moved within the campus with placards and sang to register their displeasure.

A congress would be held immediately after the rally.

ASUU Chairman, UI Chapter, Prof Ayoola Akinwole, who addressed students and journalists during the rally, said it is a peaceful protest.

He urged the Federal Government to fulfill agreement reached with the unions.

Akinwole said, “The present government is one of the most lawless government Nigeria has ever seen. The government that doesn’t obey its own rule, the government that doesn’t obey its own court, a government that is merciless in meting out draconian policies on the working class. Our people say no to all these treatments.”

Similarly, a former National Treasurer of ASUU, Prof Ademola Aremu criticized the government over what he described as unfair treatment of lecturers.

READ Major news headlines in the papers today: FG insists on ‘No work no pay’ policy as ASUU kicks

ASUU branches had planned a one-day nationwide protest over the payment of half salaries to lecturers by the Federal Government in October.

ASUU member at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), amongst others have protested of late.

ASUU had on October 14, 2022, called off its eight-month strike after the National Industrial Court ordered the lecturers to resume.

The union, however, said the response of the government, especially its ‘pro-rata’ payment of October salaries of academics, portrayed them as casual workers.

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UPDATED: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

10 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

Ngelale said Tinubu believes that Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience to ensure that no Nigerian student suffers a paucity of funds in the quest for tertiary education.

On April 3, Tinubu signed the student loans amendment bill into law to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education.

The law will allow Nigerian students in tertiary institutions to access low-interest loans for tuition and other academic needs.

Subsequently, the president appointed Akintunde Sawyerr as the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund.

Tinubu also appointed Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala as the executive director of finance and administration, while Mustapha Iyal will serve as the executive director of operations of NELFUND.

READ Protest: Atiku, PDP leaders chose to dance skelewu in Abuja - APC PCC

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

12 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

More to follow…

READ Subsidy removal: NLC insists ‘mass protest' will start today

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ICPC detains TETFund boss ‘over questionable N7.6bn project’

Published

16 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, confirmed the development on Friday.

Bakare said that Echono was invited by the anti-graft agency on Thursday.

“The executive secretary of TETFund is here with us. He has been invited for questioning. He is still in custody. He was invited yesterday.” Bakare said.

“He was invited on Thursday. He has not been released. He’s still with us. Investigation is still ongoing.”

It was earlier reported that TETfund awarded two contracts to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) within two months at the cost of N3.8 billion respectively without the approval of the federal executive council (FEC), which is required for the contract size.

The contract was to provide capacity building course and learning management systems to about 2 million students across higher institutions in the country.

READ UPDATED: FG, governors considering creation of state police

In a rejoinder, TETFund said it did not award N7.6 billion contracts to two companies without due process.

The agency said it was wrong to say they were contracts, whereas they were ICT projects implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which doesn’t require competitive bidding in public procurement.

TETFund further said its disbursement guidelines were approved by the president on the recommendation of the “Fund’s Board of Trustees and concurrence of the Honourable Minister of Education in line with the TETFund Act 2011″.

In an interview with TheCable, Echono said there was no form of irregularity in the N7.6 billion project.