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Tag: Lecturers

  • ASUU rejects FG’s loan scheme for lecturers, others

    ASUU rejects FG’s loan scheme for lecturers, others

    University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has rejected the Federal Government’s loan scheme for university lecturers and other workers in tertiary institutions.

    Prof. Jurbe Molwus, the chairman of the union in the university, said this during a press conference on Tuesday in Jos.

    NAN reports that the Federal Government had about two weeks ago announced the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund.

    The move, according to government, is a welfare and empowerment initiative for academic and non-academic staff in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

    The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said that the fund was a direct response to the welfare and professional growth needs of the nation’s tertiary institution workforce.

    Molwus, who called on the government to implement the 2009 agreement with the union, said that the loan scheme was a “trap”.

    The chairman also described the scheme as a “poisoned chalice” and urged members to stay away from it.

    “Our members do not lack where to find loans; indeed, they are already deep in debt from such loans.

    “What we need now is for government to sign our renegotiated agreement.

    “That way our purchasing power will improve and decrease our reliance on debts from cooperative societies.

    On the peaceful protest by ASUU members across the university campuses, Molwus said that the move aimed at calling on the government to address the lingering issues.

    The chairman urged President Bola Tinubu to personally engage with the ASUU leadership and hear the concerns firsthand.

    He added that such move would enable the president to take a decisive action toward preventing the disruption of academic activities in universities across the country.

  • JUST IN: UNIZIK panel sacks 3 lecturers, suspends 15 others

    JUST IN: UNIZIK panel sacks 3 lecturers, suspends 15 others

    Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state panel recommended the dismissal, suspension, and expulsion of more than 14 individuals, including both staff and students, for various offences.

    The implicated individuals comprise a Priest and three lecturers, with additional students facing expulsion for offences like aiding and abetting.

    This information was disclosed in an official release signed by Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the special adviser to the Vice Chancellor for Public Relations and Special Duties, and provided to journalists in Awka on Sunday, September 24.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, has been grappling with a major challenge related to sexual harassment, extortion, and various transgressions within the University.

    Three lecturers were accused of extorting funds from students who successfully completed their courses, and employing fellow students to carry out these malevolent acts.

    “The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has taken disciplinary actions against the following staff and students for various offences.

    “Principal Executive Officer 11, abandoned his duty post for a considerable length of time. As a result, he was indicted for gross misconduct and suspended from duty for six months to serve as a deterrent to other officers

    “Senior Executive Officer was indicted for fraudulent financial transaction concerning the University. She was suspended for six months on half salary” the Varsity said

    The Reverend priest and another were both accused of aiding and abetting examination misconduct after collecting gratification from students.

    One of the lecturers was indicted for clearing and graduating a student, who had 12 outstanding courses.

    The panel recommended that he should be dismissed from the services of the University, while the result should be withdrawn and further credentials such as Certificates and Transcripts should not be issued.

     

  • ASUP seeks removal of rectors sacked by court, writes minister

    ASUP seeks removal of rectors sacked by court, writes minister

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has written to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, over the sack of five rectors in federal polytechnics by the National Industrial Court, NICN, Holden in Abuja.

    Recall that NICN had ordered the sack of five rectors appointed by the federal government.

    The judge, Justice Obaseki Osaghae ruled that the appointment of the five rectors namely Dr Terlumun Utser of the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune; Prof Edwin Onyeneje of the Federal Polytechnic, Ohodo; Prof Edward Okey of the Federal Polytechnic, Ugep; Dr Zakari Ya’u of the Federal Polytechnic, Shendam; and Prof Garba Ngala of the Federal Polytechnic, Mungonu were not made in accordance with the law.

    The federal polytechnics Amendment Act 2019 stipulates that to be qualified for appointment as a rector in any of the polytechnics in Nigeria, such a person shall be a Chief Lecturer and must have not less than five years of experience in any Nigerian polytechnic.

    In the letter to Adamu dated March 24, 2023, ASUP’s national president, Anderson Ezeibe said, “The suit was instituted by our Union at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division before Her Lordship, Hon.Justice. A. OBASEKI-OSAGHAE following their purported appointment in 2021 as Rectors of the respective Federal Polytechnics contrary to the clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act (2019 Amendment).

    “Judgment has been delivered in the suit in agreement with our Union’s contention that the persons so appointed do not have the requisite qualification captured in the law to be so appointed amongst other declarations of the court. This judgment is viewed by our

    Union is one with immense benefits for the Nigeria Polytechnic System.

    “In view of the foregoing, and in respect of an earlier consent judgment delivered in another suit NICN/ABJ/12/2020 (Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics vs Attorney General of the Federation and 6 Ors) where the Federal Ministry of Education undertook to ensure compliance to the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act by operators in the sector”.

    Listing the demands of the union in line with the court judgement, ASUP said, “We hereby request the following: Immediate derecognition of the affected persons as Rectors of the affected

    Polytechnics; a directive to the Governing Councils of the affected Polytechnics to commence the process for the appointment of new Rectors for the affected Polytechnics in accordance to the law”.

    The minister could not be immediately reached for comments. However, findings by our correspondent revealed that the National Board for Technical Education, the regulatory body for polytechnics in the country acknowledged receipt of the letter.

  • Gbajabiamila clarifies ASUU half salary payment

    Gbajabiamila clarifies ASUU half salary payment

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has clarified the reason why lecturers may not get fully paid for the eight months the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was on strike.

    Gbajabiamila, in a statement on Monday, said the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the proposal of “partial” payment was being awaited.

    Titled ‘Statement by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila on the resolution of outstanding issues between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria,’ the statement reads: “When the Academic Staff Union of Universities called off their industrial action three weeks ago, it meant that academic activities could resume in our nation’s public universities, and students could return to their academic pursuits after the prolonged interruption. This decision was rightly heralded nationwide as the correct decision.

    “Since then, the Executive and the House of Representatives have worked to address the issues that led to the strike. We are currently working on the 2023 Appropriations Bill, which includes the sum of N170,000,000,000 to provide a level of increment in the welfare package of university lecturers. The bill also includes additional N300,000,000,000 in revitalisation funds to improve the infrastructure and operations of federal universities.

    “Furthermore, the House of Representatives has convened the Accountant General of the Federation, the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of elements of the 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.

    “The Executive position that it is not obligated to pay salaries to adoption of elements of the 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.

    “The Executive position that it is not obligated to pay salaries to lecturers for the time spent on strike is premised on the law and the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions. Nonetheless, interventions have been made to explore the possibility of partial payments to the lecturers. We look forward to a favourable consideration by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who has manifested his desire to what is prudent and necessary to resolve all outstanding issues.

    “Implementing meaningful change takes time, especially when appropriations and modifications to systems such as IPPIS are required. Therefore, I urge all parties to be patient and grant each other the presumption of goodwill to the extent necessary to achieve our shared objectives. This is not a time for political brinkmanship. There is no more pressing objective than to preclude the possibility of further disruptions to the academic calendar of the universities. We must prevent this possibility by all means, as these disruptions risk the promise and potential of our nation’s youth.”

  • ASUU got pro rata payment, for work done, not half salary, FG says

    ASUU got pro rata payment, for work done, not half salary, FG says

    The Federal Government has denied the accusation that it paid members of the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria (ASUU) half salaries in October. Instead, ASUU, it says, got pro-rata payment which means it got paid for days its members worked in October

    Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in a statement was reacting to reports on alleged selective treatment and half salary payment to ASUU members.

    The ministey described both reports as grossly inaccurate, misleading and barefaced distortion of facts.

    It noted that members of ASUU were paid their October salary pro-rata, and not half salary as the media widely reported.

    Pro-rata was done because they cannot be paid for work not done.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, never directed the Accountant General of the Federation to pay the university lecturers half salary.

    “Following the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), asking ASUU to go back to work, the leadership of the union wrote to the Minister, informing him that they have suspended the strike.

    “The Federal Ministry of Education wrote to Ngige in a similar vein and our labour inspectors in various states also confirmed that they have resumed work.

    “So, the minister wrote to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, directing that their salaries should be restored.

    “They were paid pro-rata according to the number of days they worked in October,’’ he said.

    He added counting from the day they suspended their industrial action, pro-rata was done because “you cannot pay them for work not done. Everybody’s hands are tied.”

    Oshundun also dismissed a statement by the Chairperson of ASUU, Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) branch, Muhammad Al-Mustapha, that the Minister of Labour and Employment was biased in the payment of salaries to selected professional members of the union.

    “Those obviously being referred to by the UDUS ASUU chairperson are members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) who abstained from the eight-month strike of ASUU.

    “This is because they abhorred the incessant strikes by the union and its grave effects on medical education in Nigeria and production of more medical doctors.

    “Accusing the Minister of Labour and Employment of biased payment of salaries to selected professional members of ASUU is a barefaced distortion of facts.

    “Mustapha said he received information that a segment of the staff in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) has been paid seven months of their withheld salaries from March to September.

    “He added that this was due to a letter written to the Minister of Finance, instructing the exemption of the listed staff on the application of ‘No Work, No Pay’ rule,“ Oshundun said.

    According to him, to set the records straight, the medical lecturers who are being referred to by the Chairperson of ASUU UDUS branch, abstained from the eight-month strike of ASUU.

    He added that the the Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) had in a statement corroborated this on Nov. 4.

    The association said in the statement, “Realising the emergency situation in the sub-region, worsened by emerging public health threats, we abstained from the strike.

    “The medical and dental lecturers in UDUS decided to continue the academic activities during the ASUU strike to save our healthcare from total collapse.

    Consequently, the ministry dismissed the accusation of selective treatment in payment of salaries to ASUU members, urging the media to crosscheck their facts to avoid feeding the public with the wrong information.

    However, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the ASUU President, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that members of the union were shocked when they received the half salary payment.

    According to Osodeke, we cannot understand what is going on. How do you pay people who are just resuming from a prolonged strike half salary.

    “Well, what we need to do, is to sort it out with the Minister of Labour and Employment,” Osodeke said.

  • ICPC, DSS detain 48 lecturers, security officers over JUPEB leakage

    ICPC, DSS detain 48 lecturers, security officers over JUPEB leakage

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services have detained 48 individuals for their alleged illegalities in the conduct of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board.

    JUPEB is an advanced level educational examination that qualifies its candidate for admission into 200 Level in any Nigerian and foreign universities through direct entry.

    The spokesman for ICPC, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, in a statement in Abuja said the suspects were arrested from Wellspring University, Benin, Edo State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State; and Crown-Hill University, Ilorin, Kwara State, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    She said the joint operation, tagged ‘Operation Combo’, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, led to the arrests of the lecturers, security officers, workers and students from some of the participating universities in the examination.

    Ogugua said, “Operation Combo was carried out by the operatives of ICPC and DSS in seven states after extensive monitoring of tutorial schools allegedly known for notoriously compromising JUPEB examinations. This has led to the arrest of the President of Tutorial School Owners.

    “The operation, a consequence of the sustained period of surveillance and undercover investigations spanning several weeks, led to multiple arrests of suspects including parents of candidates of the exam.

    “Also arrested were lecturers and others involved in examination malpractices and other illegalities in the participating institutions.”

    She added that a similar operation was carried out in McPherson and Precious Cornerstone universities in Ibadan and Ilara-Epe in Oyo State respectively, that led to more arrests of suspects.

    Ogugua explained that credible intelligence gathered during the operations showed active involvement of the parents of the students and the management of the universities.

    “Three current Vice-Chancellors have been invited by ICPC for their roles in the unchecked and massive malpractices reported. It was revealed that syndicated social media platforms were created by the facilitators for leaking questions and circulating answers to students for a fee during examinations.

    “Investigation also revealed that candidates, who are mostly minors, allegedly paid between N350,000 to N500,000 each to the suspects in the various tutorial schools to engage in the illegalities.

    “The cartel, in connivance with the coordinators of the examination centres and other management staff of the institutions, deliberately allowed security lapses to enable the candidates to go into examination halls with smartphones. Also, other electronic devices were allowed to send question papers to waiting groups online and subsequently, receive answers to questions thereby engaging in massive malpractices.

    “Some of the suspects arrested have been granted administrative bail while an investigation is ongoing,” the statement read in part.

     

  • ASUU reacts to sack of lecturers, stoppage of union dues by Kaduna govt

    ASUU reacts to sack of lecturers, stoppage of union dues by Kaduna govt

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University (KASU) Chapter, has kicked against the sack of 16 lecturers and two non-academic staff of the university by the state government.

    The 18 staff were sacked for participating in the Nigerian Labour Congress’s (NLC) five-day warning strike in the state, between May 17 and May 19.

    The Chairman of the Union, Dr Peter Adamu, who stated this in a statement in Kaduna on Monday, described the action as illegal.

    Adamu said that the illegal attempt to dismiss the 18 staff contravened the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the labour Union and Kaduna State Government, on May 20.

    He said the MoU explicitly states that no worker shall be victimised for participating in the industrial action.

    Adamu added that the purported sack was a “gross violation” of the MoU by the Kaduna State Government.

    He explained that the sack was announced by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Tanko, during the 16th Congregation of the KASU, held on June 2.

    “Evidence of the purported action by the university is also contained in a Memo (KASU/REG/061/VOL 1/446) from the university management to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, through the Commissioner for Education and dated May 20.

    “However, the 18 affected members of staff neither received queries nor faced any disciplinary committee, as claimed by the university management in the memo.

    “The claim is false and baseless with no evidence to show,’ he said.

    Adamu added that the memo by the vice chancellor also mandated the office of the Accountant General of Kaduna State, to stop remitting the check-off dues of the union.

    This, according to him, is against the Trade Unions (Amendment) Act NO. 17 of 2005, that clearly explains Check-off Dues, to be statutorily permitted deductions.

    “The Trade Unions Act recognises Check-off Dues as compulsory and automatic for members and does not rely on the pleasure of an employer.

    “In spite of the provisions of the laws, the government of Kaduna State and management of KASU illegally, concocted and instituted the purported sack of the staff and stoppage of Check-off Dues.

    “This is done without recourse to the University Laws and relevant national and international labour laws,” he said.

    The chairman condemned the act and called on the university’s management to rescind its decision.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Vice-Chancellor had in the letter to El-Rufai, identified 16 Academic staff and two non-academic staff, that participated fully in the NLC strike action.

    Tanko had in the letter explained that the names of the affected staff have been forwarded to the office of the Head of Service with completed Exit Variation Forms, for stoppage of their salaries with effect from May 20.

    He explained that administrative procedure was adopted based on the provisions of the University Law and Staff Conditions of Service, that state measures for disciplinary cases.

    “The procedures for disciplinary actions on proven cases of gross misconduct as contained leads to outright dismissal, involving issuance of a query to the affected staff.

    “After the affected staff replies to the query on the allegation labelled against him or her, the affected staff will appear before a Disciplinary Committee.

    “The disciplinary committee submits the report to the VC and the VC approves the recommendations of the committee on behalf of the Governing Council, and the Registrar implements the recommendations.

    “This is humbly submitted for His Excellency’s kind information to direct the Accountant-General to henceforth stop the deductions of Union Check-Off Dues of ASUU, KASU Chapter, “the VC said.

  • Insecurity: End abduction of students, staffers now, ASSU tells FG

    Insecurity: End abduction of students, staffers now, ASSU tells FG

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (FUAM) on Thursday called on the Federal Government to urgently save educational institutions from the grips of criminal elements.

    Chairperson of ASUU-FUAM, Dr Simon Ejembi, said the call became necessary following the spate of insecurity in the country which continues to deteriorate every passing day.

    Some students of FUAM were abducted on campus by gunmen a few days ago from a lecture hall where they were reading.

    Ejembi said that the event added to the list of campuses and secondary schools premises that have been attacked in the country in recent times.

    “The current trend of students and staff abduction can only suggest that there is a siege on the educational system which apparently targets a complete crippling of the major organ of national development and this should not be condoned by any responsible government.

    “ASUU-FUAM condemns the recent attack and abduction of our students and the unchallenged siege in totality and in all ramification and call that the perpetrators of this dastardly acts must be urgently brought to book.

    “We, therefore, call the powers that be, the relevant security agents and agencies to save this nation from total invasion by some elements inimical to the development of this great nation and from losing its sovereignty,” he stated.

  • Most university girls accusing lecturers of sexual molestation are dullards – Ayade

    Most university girls accusing lecturers of sexual molestation are dullards – Ayade

    Ben Ayade of Cross River said university female students who accused their teachers of sexual molestation are ‘dullards’.

    He urged female students to study hard.

    “As a girl in the university, study hard and no one will take advantage of you because they know that you are worth your onions.

    “Some of the university girls that say they were sexually molested are dullards who visit lecturers privately to beg for marks,” he said.

    Ayade spoke Wednesday in Calabar at the end of a kilometre walk to commemorate this year’s “16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV)” in the state.

    The walk took off from Cultural Centre Calabar to the premises of the state Ministry of Women Affairs.

    Ayade told women in the state that being married is not a special qualification in womanhood as believed in some quarters.

    Ayade, represented by Ms. Tina Agbor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said society made women believe that marriage was a special qualification, making many of them to submit themselves to be hurt.

    “Because the society has told you that for you to be a complete woman, you have to be married, many women are holding on to very wrong and abusive relationships.

    “As a woman, you must add value to yourself for the men to respect you because when you reduce yourself to nothing, the men will kick you around.

    The 16 Days of Activism is an annual event organised between Nov. 25 and Dec. 10 to raise awareness on GBV and harmful practices against women and girls in the state.

    The theme of this year’s event is: “Orange the World: Leave No One Behind, End Violence against Women and Girls.”

    Ayade said while society was now preaching against GBV, women must refuse to be put down, adding that they could only be their own limitations.

    Ms Ann Awa, Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Cross River Chapter, said the state needed a well-equipped one-stop-shop where survivors of GBV could get adequate help.

    Awa called on the state government to domesticate the Violence Against Person Prohibition (VAPP) Act.

    She also appealed to the people of the state to report any act of GBV because, according to her, the life of a woman was more important than the ring on her finger.

    On her part, Dr Bassey Nakanada, Chairperson, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Cross River branch, appealed to government agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to help in collation of data to make it easier for planning.

    Represented by Dr Helen Unuareokpa, Nakanda added that MWAN was a major stakeholder in the fight against GBV while encouraging everyone to be part of the process to stamp out violence from the society.

  • Kidnappers having field day at ABU, lecturers cry out

    Kidnappers having field day at ABU, lecturers cry out

    Kidnappers are now on the pawl around the premises of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, TheNewsGuru.com, TNG authoritatively gathered on Monday.

    Having kidnapped a staff few weeks ago around Area C Community of the ABU staff quarters, the kidnappers returned Monday afternoon to pick another lecturer of the university with his wife and daughter.

    A statement released by the Director of Public Affairs pf the university, Malam Auwal Umar stated that the most recent victim named Dr Bako is from Physiology section of the Medicine department in the University. According to the statement, “….at about 12:50am on Monday 23rd November, 2020 kidnappers invaded the house of a staff member of the University on Sadauna Crescent Area BZ, Main Campus, Samari, Zaria. They went away with him with his wife and daughter.”

    “The University security division quickly informed the operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team that advanced to the scene following the distress call. There was exchange of fire between the Kidnappers and the mobile police operatives. When it was clear they would be overpowered, the Kidnappers ran into the bush along with the victims”

    “As the police went after them up to Kasuwar Da’a village bordering the University, the kidnappers then release the wife and the daughter and went away with the husband…..”

    Speaking with TNG, a lecturer with the department of Agricultural Science, Innocent Nwanchukwu said that bandits have been terrorising the University premises for over a month now.

    He said; “In broad-day-light, these bandits attacked us. Just last two weeks an ABU staff was kidnapped in the staff quarters in Area C of the main Campus. The entire area of NAPRI (Nigeria Agricultural Research Institute) an affiliate of ABU is now a danger zone. They attack staff on Broad-day-light,” he said.