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Tag: ASUU

  • Just In: ASUU re-elects Osodeke as National President

    Just In: ASUU re-elects Osodeke as National President

    Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in the early hours of Monday re-elected Professor Emmanuel Osodeke unopposed as their National President to pilot the affairs of the union for another two years.

    It was learnt that apart from Osodeke of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, the union members also re-elected Chris Piwuna, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Professor in the College of Medicine, University of Jos, as Vice President.

    They were re-elected during their 22nd National Delegates Conference of ASUU which was hosted by the University of Jos, Plateau State between May 19 and 21, 2023.

    Other National Officers of ASUU who were also re-elected during the conference include Prof. Siji Sowande (Treasurer); Prof. Ade Adejumo (Financial Secretary); Dr Austen Sado (Investment Secretary); Dr Adamu Babayo (Internal Auditor) and Dr Aisha Bawa who replaced Dr Stella-Maris Okey as the Welfare Secretary.

    Osodeke who spoke on his way to Abuja after the National Delegates Conference described it as successful.

    He said “We have finished with our national delegates conference in Jos. It was successful. We are on our way back to Abuja. We will issue a statement regarding the conference and my re-election and other national officers when we get back to our station . Thank you”

    Punch

  • Court sets date to deliver judgment in FG’s suit against ASUU

    Court sets date to deliver judgment in FG’s suit against ASUU

    The National Industrial Court on Thursday fixed May 30 to deliver judgment in the suit filed by the Federal Government against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    In the suit, the federal government dragged ASUU before the court to determine the substantive suit filed during the 2022 ASUU’s eight month strike.

    When the matter came up before Justice Benedict Kanyip on Thursday, Sen. Ita Enang, the claimants’ counsel informed the court that the matter was slated for adoption of written addresses.

    Mr Femi Falana SAN, the defendant counsel on his part however informed the court that he had filed a notice of appeal before Court of Appeal.

    Falana stated that he was contesting the ruling of the court of March 28, which ruled that the Minister of Labour and Employment has the power to refer the matter to the National Industrial Court.

    He further prayed for stay of execution and the matter be adjourned pending the outcome of Court of Appeal’s decision.

    He also submitted that the issue of competence of the appeal was for Court of Appeal to determine as argued by Enang

    Enang urged the court to proceed with the matter of the day which was adoption of written addresses.

    The court in its ruling stated that time is of essence in delivery of justice.

    ” It is better to get a bad judgment quickly than a good judgment in delayed time in labour matters”.

    The court also ruled that the authorities cited by the defence counsel was not applicable in the extant case.

    The court equally cited Rule 47 of NICN 2006 proceeding and stated that an appeal did not translate to stay of execution.

    The judge also said that defence had shown lack of seriousness by not filing its defence and instead opted to file application for stay of execution.

    The court in addition said that the matter had been slowed down by various applications.

    Kanyip further said “the application for stay of execution is rejected and the case will proceed and ruling is entered according”.

    The court therefore directed the claimant’s counsel to proceed to adopt his written address.

    The counsel in respond urged the court to grant all reliefs sought as the suit was not challenged nor contesting by defence through its failure to file processes of defence.

    Falana on his part urged the court to consider its record which had his earlier affidavit filed on Sept. 16,2022

    He argued that the affidavit which was not challenged encapsulate his defence.

    The court therefore adjourned the matter until May 30, for judgment.

    Newsmen reports that the court adjourned until June 21 a sister case where ASUU is the claimant.

    ASUU in the suit is seeking the court to order Minister of Labour and Employment to accept its return of annual financial report

    The court had to adjourn as the third defendant’s counsel, Mr Alex Akoja informed the court that he just came into the matter.

    Akoja therefore prayed for the adjournment to enable him file processes.

    NAN also reports that the third suit involving the parties was also adjourned until June 21, for report of settlement/ hearing.

    The suit where ASUU is also the claimant has the Minister of Labour and Employment and Registrar Trade Unions as defendants.

    Earlier, Falana informed the court that he filed a motion for the matter to be transferred to the Alternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR) Centre of the court.

    Enang however responded that he was contesting the referral as the claimant had admitted to have failed to file its annual financial returns within the stipulated time.

    He also withdrew his preliminary objection application premised on lack of jurisdiction.

    The court equally granted Falana the leave to move his application for the court to refer the matter to ADR.

    The court having granted the application adjourned the matter until June 21, for report of settlement/hearing.

  • FG accuses ASUU of not “showing good cause”

    FG accuses ASUU of not “showing good cause”

    The Federal government on Tuesday , accused the Academic staff Union of Universities (ASUU), not “showing good cause” in the pursuit of its suit before the National Industrial Court.

    Mr J.U.K Igwe SAN, counsel to the Minister of Labour and Employment and Minister of Education who are the claimants in the suit made the accusation when ASUU’s counsel Mr Marshall Abubakar informed the court that he had filed processes at the court’s registry.

    The processes according to Abubakar would be ready before the next adjourned date of Wednesday.

    The presiding judge, Justice Benefict Kanyip in response stated that the court may still not take the matter on Wednesday if Igwe decided to reply to the issues in Abubakar’s processes.

    The court enquired about the processes the counsel had filed in the registry.

    He stated that he filed an application seekinh the leave of court for an extension of time and also an application for the court to refer the matter to its Arternative Dispute Resolution ( ADR)

    The court however ruled that in order for a matter to be referred to ADR, parties must join issues which defence had not done due to its failure to file processes.

    Igwe in objecting to the defence’s application said “my learned colleague has not shown good cause as stated by order 57, rule 4 (2) of the NICN rule.

    ” What he said he filed is not before the court, the rule states that an applicant must show good cause.

    ” The matter is slated for definite hearing and i urge the court to go on with the matter as what the counsel claimed to have filed ate based on speculations”, Igwe submitted.

    Abubakar on his part cited order 7 rule 4 (1) (2) of NICN rule and urged the court to use its discretion to grant his application for extension of time, adding that his affidavit which had not been challenged had shown good. cause

    Abubakar further submitted that the delay in filing his processes was as a result of the ruling of the court in the last adjourned date which necessitated series of consultations.

    The court after listening to the submission of Abubakar reiterated that at the last adjourned date it was clearly stated that counsel must file and serve processes before Tuesday.

    The judge also said that the application defence counsel said he filed were not exhibited as failure to do so showed lack of seriousness on the part of the counsel.

    The court further stated that Abubakar’s submission that ” the sin of a counsel should not be visited on the litigant” was not applicable in the extant case.

    The court equally pointed out that Abubakar was trying to buy time by his applications and in doing so had not shown capable and genuine reasons for the extension of time.

    The court therefore ruled ” the application is hereby dismissed and ruling entered accordingly”

    Abubakar in view of the ruling withdrew his application for the matter to be referred to the ADR.

    The court ruled and struck out the said motion and also directed Igwe to move his application of the referral by the Minister of Labour and Employment dated Sept.8,2022 accompanied by notice of questions.

    Also accompanied was a 21-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mr Okechukwu Nwamba, a director of Legal Services, Ministry of Labour and Employment, supported by eight exhibits and a written address filed on Sept.12,2022.

    Igwe proceeded to adopt the said processes, urged the court to adopt same as their argument and grant the declarations sought in the written address.

    The court deemed the processes properly filed, adopted. and the judge said that in the interest of justice, he was giving Abubakar seven days to file and serve his written address, stated that the court would not entertain an application for extension of time to that effect.

    The court equally directed Igwe to file his reply on point of law if any, within one day and adjourned the natter until May 11, for hearing.

    Two sister suits were equally adjourned until Wednesday and May 11 for hearing and adoption of final written addresses respectively.

    The matter for adoption of final written addresses had on Tuesday came up by way of originating summon with ASUU as the claimant, Ministry of Labour and Employment and Registrar of Trade Union and Congress of University Academics (CONUA) as defendants.

    The matter adjourned until Wednesday has ASUU seeking for the suit to be referred to ADR.

    The court had on the last adjourned date of March 28 declared as valid the referral by the Minister of Labour and Employment referring the matter to the court over ASUU’s that lasted for eight months in 2022 and for interpretation and application of some Trade Dispute Act (TDA).

  • ASUU changes direction to incoming administration

    ASUU changes direction to incoming administration

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), has shifted attention to the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu, appealing that its demands have not been met.

    All public universities were shut down in 2022 for a period of eight months over the failure of the Federal Government to meet its demands.

    The federal government, after several failed attempts to resolve the issues and return the lecturers to class in 2022, dragged ASUU to the National Industrial Court, following a breakdown of negotiations.

    Consequently, the Court granted the government’s plea for an injunction for ASUU members to resume work pending the resolution of the case.

    The order of the court for ASUU to resume work was also upheld by the appeal court after the union approached it.

    The appeal court gave ASUU up till October 14 to obey its order or be charged with contempt. That led to the suspension of the prolonged industrial action on October 14.

    ASUU will hold a fresh meeting with the incoming administration to chart a way forward and inorder to prevent incessant down tooling by public university lecturers.

     

  • ASUU embarks on indefinite strike in Taraba state

    ASUU embarks on indefinite strike in Taraba state

    The Taraba State University Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) chapter on Friday, announced a total and indefinite strike action.

    Taraba ASUU called for an indefinite strike action over the state government failure to meet its demands and also its  rebuttal of claims that it does not owe workers salaries.

    According to the Taraba ASUU chapter, the strike action is pinned on the government’s failure to pay earned academic allowances, promotion arrears, fractional salaries to staff, and unsettled staff pension and gratuity scheme.

    In his reaction, the Taraba State University ASUU Chairman, confirmed that other reasons for the industrial action include the institution’s non-implementation of agreements and perimeter fencing.

    Meanwhile,  the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Bala Dan-Abu in a press statement on Friday, said the outgoing governor owed no worker salaries.

  • FG court tussle with ASUU adjourned until March for ruling

    FG court tussle with ASUU adjourned until March for ruling

    The National Industrial Court on Tuesday adjourned the Federal government suit against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) until March 28 for ruling.

    The claimants, Federal government and the Minister of Education, had dragged ASUU before the court in August 2022 over the then strike, for interpretation and application of some Trade Dispute Act (TDA).

    The matter before the president of the court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, came up on Tuesday for hearing of the defendant’s preliminary objection.

    However, when the matter was called, the defence counsel, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, informed the court that his process on Reply on Point of Law could not be filed on Monday at the court’s registry due to internet issue.

    He, therefore, sought for the leave of court for a short adjournment.

    The judge in response stepped down the matter until 1.00 p.m. to enable the counsel properly file his process and serve on the claimants’ counsel.

    When the court resumed, Falana applied for his motion dated and filed Sept. 19, 2022, seeking for the leave of court for extension and his Reply on Point of Law filed Tuesday to be deemed as properly filed.

    He further proceeded to inform the court that his preliminary objection was premised on jurisdiction of the court and he relied on order 3 rule 6 of the TDA to argue that the Minister of Labour and Employment did not follow due process before issuing the referral to the court.

    He stated that reconciliation steps were not duly followed and that the Minister could approach the court if parties of a Trade Union could not resolve their differences.

    Mr J.U.K Igwe, SAN, counsel to FG and Minister of Education, in response to Falana’s submission, stated that Falana’s reply which he received five minutes before the court’s proceeding was on reply of facts and not on law.

    He further stated that all the authorities cited by the counsel did not have any relevance to his application.

    Igwe, in addition, stated that the defence counsel should have sought for the leave of court to file a counter-affidavit.

    He also said the National Industrial Court with its exclusive jurisdiction on industrial matter had the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

    Igwe stated that the Minister did not act out of the ordinary as order 3 rule 6 of the TDA conferred on him the power to refer the matter to NICN.

    He added that the matter was also of national interest. He concluded by urging the court to discountenance the defence counsel’s objection.

    The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter until March 28 for ruling.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, on behalf of the Federal government, had filed the matter before the court by way of referral for the court to resolve the issue of the strike and for interpretation of certain sections of the TDA.

    The court on its part on Sept. 21, 2022 directed the defendant to end its strike and return to work.

    The vacation judge who had presided over the matter after delivering ruling on the interim injunction returned the file to the president of the court for reassignment for the hearing of the substantive suit.

  • FG officially unbundles ASUU, NARD; CONUA, NAMDA get certificates

    FG officially unbundles ASUU, NARD; CONUA, NAMDA get certificates

    The Federal Government on Tuesday presented certificates of registration to the newly registered Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and the National Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).

    Sen. Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, presented the certificates to the unions at a ceremony in Abuja.

    “In doing this, both unions are officially recognised and have been registered to unbundle the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) as well as the National Association of Resident Doctors(NARD),” Ngige said.

    He said that both unions have been officially gazzetted, hence entitled to all labour rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organisation(ILO) convention.

    The minister said that the federal government was working out modalities for payment of withheld salaries of CONUA and NAMDA members for the duration of ASUU strike.

    The minister added that it would amount to injustice if they were victimised because they never partook in the strike in the first instance.

    Ngige also said that the alleged lack of democracy, transparency and failure to render proper account of check off dues by ASUU, both to her members and the government culminated into the emergence of the new unions.

    He said that this had spurred considerations for the registration of CONUA and NAMDA.

    He said the gazzetting and certificate presentation were in conformity with section 3:2 of the International Trade Union Convention.

    “Trade unionism is for workers and employers of labour to organise themselves and its a voluntary act.

    “Prior to 2020, CONUA had approached the ministry complaining of lack of democracy, transparency in the leadership of ASUU, especially in rendering proper account of their check up dues remitted from government.

    “Based on these grievances the ministry decided to register the members of CONUA to operate as a full-fledged union for which we have issued a certificate of registration and gazzetting which is part of section 3:2 of the ITUC.

    “Unbundling is not new, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, (NUP) NEPA and NNPC have been unbundled,” he said.

    Speaking, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, CONUA President, commended Ngige, for the presentation of the certificate.

    Sunmonu alleged that the high handedness of ASUU’s leadership gave birth to the association.

    “Now that CONUA has been given official backing through the presentation of certificate, the era of incessant strikes in the university system was over,” he said.

    He however, protested the continued remittance of members check off dues to ASUU, while urging the minister to intervene to reverse the trend going forward.

    “Today is a historic day and it is exciting to be back to this great Ministry in conclusion of the final phase of the registration of CONUA, which is marked by the collection of certificate.

    “We appreciate the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, and his remarkable team for finalising the registration of CONUA with the issuance of the certificate of registration of the Union to us today.

    “In CONUA, our primary purpose at all times has been to promote the welfare of our members, while being constantly conscious of the overriding national interest.

    “With this complete registration, we assure Nigerians that we shall embark on meaningful and realistic discussions and negotiations with the Federal Government and all other stakeholders on how we can get a better deal for university lecturers.

    “Also indeed for better working of the entire system without necessarily rocking and sinking the boat,’’ Sunmonu said.

    He however, alleged that ASUU through subterfuge, had caused the check-off dues of CONUA members to be paid to its account for some months through the IPPIS office.

    He said that the inappropriate remittance to ASUU was reflected on payslips of CONUA members for the affected months.

    He also said CONUA had expressly written to the appropriate authorities to stop remitting its check-off dues to ASUU.

    “In other words, CONUA was recognised by law as a bonfire trade union right from the time it was formed in 2018, and it was entitled to collect the check-off dues of its members by and for itself.

    “We implore the support and cooperation of the Federal Government, as we take off effectively, we assure that will not let this nation down as we shall diligently continue to perform our duties, ’’he said.

    Also, NAMDA President, Dr Ali Ramat commended the minister and his team for the presentation of the certificate.

  • ASUU, House of Reps bicker over lecturers’ salary backlog

    ASUU, House of Reps bicker over lecturers’ salary backlog

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday attacked Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) over his comments that its speaker Femi Gbajabiamila deceived them into calling off their eight-month strike embarked upon in February 2022.

    However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, the chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu, noted that there was never a time the speaker assured ASUU that government would pay salary arrears for eight months.

    In the statement titled ‘House of Representatives response to Osodeke’s allegations of deception against Mr. Speaker,’ Kalu pointed out that the Federal Government legitimately withheld the salaries for the period universities were shut down.

    Meanwhile,  Osodeke, in an interview with pressmen, said that the body called off the strike on the 14th of October, 2022 due to a letter signed by the speaker, Gbajabiamila stating that the lecturers would get an eight month salary.

    A copy of the letter and  duly signed by the speaker was presented to pressmen and it reads partly: “After exhaustive deliberations, which necessitated several visits by Mr Speaker to the President, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the Honourable Speaker called for another meeting with officials of ASUU, on Monday, October 10, 2022.

    “The meeting came to the following resolutions: the no-work-no-pay policy of the government remains a subsisting policy for all industrial actions, but the government will on the special ground concede ASUU to pay a part of its salaries during the strike period.”

    Continuing, Osodeke revealed that the government agreed with the union to pay parts of the backlog of salaries.

    He added, “When Gbajabiamila wrote to us, he said the government would pay part of the money and it was based on the information that we called off the strike. And we have called off the strike for over two months now, yet, we have not received anything.

    “How do you want our members to feel after we told them and showed them evidence that the Speaker promised to pay partly?’’

    However, defending the speaker, Kalu faulted some of the claims made by the ASUU president in his recent media interview.

    The statement read, “For the record, at no point did the Speaker of the House of Representatives commit to offset the arrears of salaries owed to union members for the time they were on strike.

    “The House of Representatives helped resolve the strike by making commitments to improve the welfare package of university lecturers and revitalization funds to improve the infrastructure and operations of federal universities.

    “These commitments are reflected in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, which includes N170,000,000,000.00) to provide a level of increment in the welfare package of university lecturers and an additional N300,000,000,000.00 in revitalization funds.”

    However, the effect of the eight months industrial action embarked upon by university lecturers have had negative effect on the University students.

    Many universities are still conducting exams for students in the yuletide period while many others are still studying for their exams meant to start soon.

  • Gbajabiamila denies pledging to offset ASUU’s salary arrears

    Gbajabiamila denies pledging to offset ASUU’s salary arrears

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has denied committing himself to offset the arrears of salaries owed members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) by the Federal Government.

    The denial is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Information, Mr Benjamin Kalu.

    The denial followed alleged claims by the ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke that Gbajabiamila had failed to deliver on a written commitment that the government would offset the lecturers’ salary arrears immediately after calling off their strike.

    According to Kalu, the Speaker never made such commitment.

    He however said that the House had resolved to improve the welfare package of university lecturers and provide more money for universities revitalisation fund.

    According to him, these commitments have been reflected in the 2023 Appropriation Bill, which include N170 billion to raise the welfare package of university lecturers and additional N300 billion revitalisation fund.

    Kalu also said that the House has been working with key stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of elements of ASUU’s University Transparency and Accountability Solution into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.

    “This effort is being supervised by the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, Rep. Aminu Suleiman,” he added.

    Kalu said, “The public interest in ensuring a well-functioning tertiary education sector is a matter of paramount concern for all who understand the transformational role of education in any society.

    “For this reason, the 9th House of Representatives has been consistent in our efforts to explore avenues for reform and improvement to the framework of public education in the country from basic education through tertiary.

    “Our objectives in this regard will not be achieved when stakeholders choose to ignore substantive issues and the consideration of bold ideas in favour of cheap blackmail and immoral propaganda.”

    He therefore urged the ASUU president to work with all stakeholders for the common good of all.

  • BREAKING: Civil servants set for salary increase in 2023

    BREAKING: Civil servants set for salary increase in 2023

    The Federal Government says it will soon make a pronouncement on salary increase for civil servants to meet up with the economic realities in the country occasioned by inflation.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, made this known while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja

    The minister said already the Presidential Committee on Salaries had embarked on a review of the salaries of workers in the country.

    According to him, the committee is expected to come up with a salary adjustment in 2023.

    The minister had recently hinted that the government would adjust workers’ salaries to cushion the effect of rising costs of living in the country.

    “Yes, I am saying that the Presidential Committee on Salaries is working hand-in-hand with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission.

    ”The commission is mandated by the Act establishing them to fix salaries, wages, and emoluments in not only the public service.

    “If you want their assistance and you are in the private sector, they will also assist you. They have what is called the template for remuneration, for compensation.

    ”So, if you work, you get compensated, if you don’t work, you will not be compensated.

    “So they have the matrix to do the evaluation. They are working with the Presidential Committee on Salaries chaired by the finance ministry and I am the co-chair to look at the demands of the workers.

    ”Outside this, I said discussions on that evaluation are ongoing.”

    On whether a time line has been fixed for implementation of new salary increase, Ngige said: ”As we enter the new year government will make some pronouncements in that direction.”

    Ngige described 2022 as a year of “industrial dispute”.

    “It’s a year we can call a year of industrial dispute starting from the February’s Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU) strike which was joined by other sister unions in the university system and even the people in the research institutes.

    “And thereafter, threats from various unions including the medical doctors association and its youth wing, the National Association of Resident Doctors, JOHESU which is also the Joint Health Sector Union all were asking for a wage increase.

    “And asking for wage increase can also be understandable because of what inflation had done in the economy and the attendant cost of living for people who have to be workers in the public sector.

    According to him, in the private sector employers have managed their affairs better, saying this may be due to efficient management of their finances.

    He added that the management could also do collective bargaining very easily with their workers.

    “The banking sector, Food and beverages and finance insurance everywhere. So there is calm there. We didn’t have the desired calmness on the government’s side because of the government’s finances.

    ”However, we are doing some review within the Presidential Committee on Salaries, and discussions are ongoing.

    ”The doctors are discussing with the ministry of health, insurance people in the public sector discussing and there is a general calmness.

    ”Hopefully, within available resources, the government can do something in the coming year.”

    On the position of government on the eight and half months of outstanding salaries the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is demanding for, Ngige said:

    ”For now the matter is in court for proper interpretation of the Trade Dispute Act as it concerns no work, no pay policy invoked by the government during the strike period.

    ”ASUU has not pronounced anything on their salaries anymore because it’s one of the issues that was referred to the National Industrial Court for determination on whether a worker who is on strike should be paid in violation of section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act.

    ”The Act says when you go on strike, the consequences are these: number one, you will not be paid, you will not be compensated for not going to work to enable your employer keep the industry or enterprise afloat.

    “That money should not be given to you, and that compensation should not be given. It’s there in Section 43 (1).

    ”There is a second leg to Section 43, it also said that the period you were on strike will not count for you as part of your pensionable period of work in your service.

    ”That leg, government has not touched it, but the leg of no-work-no-pay has been triggered off by that strike.

    “So, we are asking the court to look at it.”