TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lecturers

  • ASUU: No government in Nigeria has treated lecturers better than Buhari – Fayemi

    Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Monday reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to the education sector in the country.

    The governor noted that in terms of welfare, some professors in Nigerian universities earn as much as he does, and that, in some cases, they earn more than him on a monthly basis.

    Fayemi said that as a governor, he earns N500,000 monthly salary, arguing that a professor sometimes earns more than that.

    He also berated Nigerian academic for allegedly not taking advantage of certain opportunities which, he said, he was privy to.

    The governor added that it was unnecessary for the Academic Staff Union of Universities to have embarked on its ongoing strike action.

    Fayemi spoke with journalists on Monday in Paris at the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s interactive session with Nigerians living in France.

    He said that ASUU and Nigerian tertiary institutions had benefited more under Buhari’s administration than at other times.

    He said, “If you talk about tertiary education, ASUU is on strike; but you ask yourself, ‘Why is ASUU on strike?’

    “ASUU claimed that it is on strike because it wants improvement in the fortunes of education in Nigeria and that government has not lived up to expectations.

    “I make bold to say that no government has done as much as this government has done — not just for ASUU, but also for tertiary education in our country.

    “Is it enough? Absolutely, it’s not going to be enough. We have to keep doing more.

    “But, ask yourself, ‘What was the average wage in the university system before?’

    “A university professor earns more than me as a governor. My salary as a governor is N500,000. Most university professors earn about the same amount, if not more.

    “Yes, you may argue that there are other opportunities available, there are also other opportunities that are available that are not being taken advantage of by our academics.

    “I can say a little bit about this because this is my terrain.

    “I do not think that ASUU, on its own strength, can argue that government has not done well.

    “There is hardly any institution in Nigeria today, including state universities, that has not had the benefit of the Federal Government intervention.

    “It is either the government is building an auditorium or rehabilitating a laboratory or improving on students’ hostels in virtually all the universities as I speak to you.

    “That’s what TETFUND does via their intervention funds.

    “That, again, is not the complete solution,” he said

  • Boko Haram: Buhari receives rescued lecturers, police officers’ wives in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and police officers’ wives who were abducted by Boko Haram last year.

    He received them at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    The rescued persons had been under the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja where they were examined by a team of doctors and psychologists.

    The rescued lecturers were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Magumeri, Borno, while the police officers’ wives were kidnapped in a raid by the militant group on a military/police convoy on Damboa road, near Maiduguri, in June 2017.

    Their release after series of negotiations, according to an earlier statement issued by a presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, in line with presidential directives.

  • Families of freed lecturers, policewomen laud FG for their release

    Mrs Hassana Ibrahim, a relative to one of the freed University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) lecturers, Yusuf Ibrahim, has expressed joy over their release from Boko Haram captivity.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government, on Saturday, announced the release of Ibrahim and 12 other persons abducted by the insurgents in Borno, sequel to negotiations anchored by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC).

     

    The freed persons included one lecturer, two geologists and 10 police women.

     

    Hassana, who appeared highly elated, told NAN that the family received the news of the release of her younger brother with “great joy”.

     

    She said that friends and well wishers had been calling to register their happiness and rejoice with the family over the development.

     

    Hassana recounted that she experienced trauma and lost hope of seeing her brother in view of their long stay under the insurgent’s captivity.

     

    “My family lost hope of seeing him again because of the circumstances leading to his abduction. We were confused.

     

    “We thanked God and President Muhammadu Buhari over his commitment to secure their release, we are really grateful to all the parties involved,” she said.

     

    Ms Lucy Yunana, a relative of one the abducted policewoman, who corroborated Ibrahim, expressed the hope that the remaining Chibok girls and others persons in Boko Haram captivity would soon be released.

     

    Also, Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South), lauded the Federal Government and ICRC over the release of the 13 abducted persons.

     

    Ndume said, in a statement issued in Maiduguri, that the development had rekindled people’s hope to rescue the remaining Chibok school girls and other persons in Boko Haram captivity.

     

    “The development not only gladdens our hearts but also renewed our hope that the remaining Chibok school girls and other persons still in captivity will regain their freedom in due course.

     

    “On behalf of the good people of Borno State, I commend all actors that partook in the latest negotiated release of police women and lecturers.

     

    “I specifically commend the leadership of the President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping faith with his promise of ensuring that all abducted persons, especially the Chibok schoolgirls, are released”, Ndume said.

     

    NAN recalls that the university workers were abducted in July 2017 when the insurgents attacked an oil exploration team in Gubio and Magumeri Local Government areas of Borno.

     

    Also, 10 police women were abducted on June 20, 2017 when the insurgents attacked a motorcade of police convoy on Maiduguri-Damboa Road.

  • MAPOLY lecturers suspend three-month strike

    MAPOLY lecturers suspend three-month strike

    Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta Chapter, on Wednesday suspended their strike, which is now over three months old.

    The suspension was announced by the chapter’s Chairman, Mr Kola Abiola, after a congress held at the institution’s campus to resolve the crisis between the Ogun State Government and the union.

    Abiola stated that the congress decided to call off the strike following the pressure put on it by many concerned prominent personalities in the state.

    He, however, said the union was hopeful that its demands would be met by the government to prompt it to conduct the suspended semester examination.

    “Today, we had an emergency congress and after several appeals by eminent stakeholders within and outside the state, the congress therefore decided to suspend the strike.

    “The government is aware of all our key issues, all the issues which resulted in the strike are all known to the government.

    “When the crisis started we actually went to prominent personalities to intervene and now that they have intervened we think it is high time we give government the room for discussion while academic activities go on.

    “We have suspended the strike, and it is now left for the management to announce when academic activities will commence,” the chapter chairman said.

    Abiola explained that the union had never blackmailed anybody during the crisis, saying that on no occasion did MAPOLY ASUP insulted the state government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union and the state government had been at loggerheads over the institution’s upgrading to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology.

    The union also had issues with the government over the planned transfer of some of the institution’s lecturers to the newly-established Ogun State Polytechnic at Ipokia.

     

    NAN

  • Photo: UNILAG lecturers gang stab postgraduate student over parking spot

    …we are still investigating – management

    A postgraduate student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Jimi Fatunbi, was allegedly stabbed by two lecturers at the university campus on Wednesday.

    The victim identified the lecturers as Dr. BabawaleTaiwo and Dr. Israel Abiala, who lecture at the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics; and Arts and Social Sciences Education respectively.

    According to a report by The Punch, the incident happened at the UNILAG’s Faculty of Education roundabout.

    Fatunbi, studying for masters in English Language, is a resident of the Henry Carr Postgraduate Hall.

    He explained that the incident, which started out as a conversation turned bloody when he alighted from his vehicle to complain about how one of the lecturers banged on the body of his car.

    In his words: “I went to take my car from Elkanemi hall, where it was initially parked, to Henry Carr. While I was reversing at Elkanemi Park, I discovered that a vehicle was behind me and the occupants (lecturers) of the vehicle said I was obstructing them.

    “Dr. Taiwo started banging on my car. I felt he wanted to damage my car and I stopped. I came down to ask him what was actually wrong.

    “I felt that if I was indeed obstructing, since I was moving away, there was no need for the attack.

    “He said I had committed an offence and he needed to deal with me, being a lecturer. So, before I knew it, his colleague, Abiala came down from the same car and started manhandling me. In the process, one of them stabbed me in the face.

    “I was shouting until students came around. I eventually called my hall executives and I was taken to the university’s Medical Centre for treatment.”

    He said the lecturers were interrogated by the university’s security officials after they were informed of the situation.

    Security officials at the Alpha Base (the university’s security house) also confirmed that the case had been reported.

    When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr. Toyin Adebule, also confirmed the incident, saying the management had been notified.

    He said, “I have confirmed it myself. There is one Dr.Taiwo involved and the case was reported at our security post. The attention of the management has been drawn to the case and we are taking action. It is still under investigation.

    “The dean and head of department where he works have been informed and the university has requested that the lecturer should come for questioning. We don’t condone indiscipline, hooliganism and violence from anybody at any level.

    “The university is taking up the matter seriously and we will never leave any stone unturned until we get to the root of the matter. It could be cultism, money or anything. We want to know what caused the matter and we will get back to you. We have asked the security to go after him.”

     

  • EXCLUSIVE: LAUTECH’s resumption uncertain as striking lecturers insist ‘no alert, no resumption’ [Photo]

    EXCLUSIVE: LAUTECH’s resumption uncertain as striking lecturers insist ‘no alert, no resumption’ [Photo]

    By Adebayo Animasaun

    The proposed resumption of activities by the management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso on Tuesday has suffered another setback as the striking lecturers have vowed not to resume academic activities until their salary arrears are cleared and released to them.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the management had on Sunday, October 1 assured students and the general public of prompt resumption by Tuesday (today) October 3.

    The Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Dayo Afolabi had assured the lecturers that they would start receiving salaries from last Friday: “What we did was that we have spoken with the two Governors who have started bringing in their quota and the information we have is that the money would be in before the end of today (Friday), so before the close of work, we would start paying salaries and also the management would meet with the staffs,” Afolabi said as at Friday last week.

    However, in an exclusive phone interview with TheNewsGuru.com on Tuesday (today), the Zonal Coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Mr. Olusiji Sowande, said as at press time, they were yet to receive any notification of salaries from their respective banks.

    Sowande noted that the salary arrears was just one of the 11 demands the union presented to the university management and visitors (Governors Ajimobi and Aregbesola) before embarking on the state. He noted that other issues raised were not accorded adequate attention.

    In his words: “The two governors (Ajimobi and Aregbesola) promised to clear the salaries in tranches beginning from today. At the last meeting we held with the management, the information passed to us was that the money was still being expected from the governors. And as I speak to you now, (Tuesday), we are yet to receive any notification from the banks that the money has been paid. However, it might drop tomorrow but right now it’s not yet paid.

    Sowande noted that aside the salary issue, the governors and management must be willing to properly fund the university. He noted that most the courses are due for accreditation and without adequate funding plans, the university might plunge into another crisis sooner than expected.

    He spoke further: ” Our demands are very clear. We are owed 12 months salary arrears and as at now, nothing is offered yet. Salary is just one out of about 11 demands that led us to embark on the strike. Nobody is talking about the arrears of promotion, pension, health insurance and other critical issues that we raised. Let’s even leave that aside. If we resume today, we are resuming on zero level because all our courses are due for accreditation. So if we resume without anybody talking about how to fund accreditation, we are only deceiving ourselves. And most importantly, we are saying that even if they pay us the 12 months salary arrears at a go, that is good for the surface of it but how are we going to ensure that LAUTECH is properly funded on a sustainable basis by the two governors? That is what led us to this crisis in the first place and until these issues are holistically resolved, we might soon be heading to a bigger unrest in the nearest future,” Sowande said.

    A distressed student of the institution who identified himself as John said he was disappointed that the unions and the management are yet to resolve the crises that have lingered for too long.

    John in a phone conversation with TheNewsGuru.com said for over two years now he has remained in same level while his mates in other public institutions had moved ahead.

    ‘I am sincerely tired. I have been in 200Level for over two years now as result of this unstable academic calendar in LAUTECH. Most of my mates in other institutions are either in their finals or semifinals. They said academic activities will resume today and here we are with nothing to show. As at today, while we came to school with high hopes that school will resume, lecture halls were deserted and there was no sign of anything serious happening in the next couple of weeks. just don’t know why things are like this in this country. If these issues are not resolved soonest, I might be forced to seek transfer to another institution or start all over. Its now becoming unbearable,” John said with a sorrowful voice.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that LAUTECH was already enmeshed in internal wranglings before ASUU embarked on an indefinite strike that lasted for over a month. While the strike was suspended about two weeks ago and academic activities fully resumed in other public institutions, the ASUU-LAUTECH issued a stay at home order to its members pending the time that the university management and visitors will meet their demands.

    Efforts by TheNewsGuru.com to reach the registrar of the institution, Mr. Agboola was not successful as at press time as he was said to be in a management meeting.

  • ASUU crisis: FG set to release N23bn to university lecturers to end strike

    As part of efforts to resolve the ongoing strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government has assured the release of N23 billion to the lecturers.

    This was revealed by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

    Speaking before the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, led by Senator Jibrin Barau, the Minister disclosed that the executive arm of government had commenced plans to ensure that it honoured the agreement with ASUU.

    The Minister disclosed that the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had already approved a total N53bn for the union so far, adding that the balance of N23bn would be released on Monday when the striking lecturers would receive the cheque.

    He said: “ASUU asked for N23billion to be paid, but we said the condition for getting the N23billion was for them to account for the N30billion they had taken and they were not able to account for it.

    “The Minister of Finance undertook to do the audit from the ministry and we agreed that the result will be known six months. During those six months, the government undertook to be paying ASUU N1.5billion each month during the time they were waiting for this.

    ‘’However, their grouse was that the forensic audit promised by the Minister of Finance had not been done and the money promised not paid.

    “So, at our meeting two days ago, the agreement was to pay them all and do forensic audit on the entire N53billion.

    “That was what I tried to do yesterday (Wednesday). I wrote to the Minister of Finance and she has already approved and this money will be paid. Probably, by Monday, they will be able to receive the cheque.

    “We didn’t agree with ASUU on their request that TSA should be taken out. I told them that it is not possible because it is a new policy and government is not going to change it for anyone.

    “Concerning their salary short fall, we said the reason springs from universities employing people without proper authority.

    “For instance, a university can just decide to go and recruit 50 people without notifying IPPIS. So, what they are going to get is the money they got last month, which will not be sufficient for them. We have told them that institutions should, henceforth, stop doing that and they accepted.

    “There is the issue of registration of their pension commission. I think they have one or two issues to iron out with PENCOM and I believe they will also be able to solve the problem within a week.

    “The issue of renegotiation is already ongoing, which will not affect what we have said. I have already written a letter formalizing the meeting and all the agreements we had with ASUU and gave them the letter yesterday.

    “From the way they received it, I think it is possible that the strike will be called off within a week maximum.”

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jibrin Barau, commended the Minister for his efforts towards ensuring that the situation was resolved and the strike called off.

     

  • ASUU condemns compulsory sale of textbooks, handouts by lecturers

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities in Nigeria (ASUU) has expressed displeasure at the mandatory sale of handouts by some lecturers in tertiary institutions.

    Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, President of the union, expressed this view in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

    “ It is not wise for lecturers in our tertiary institutions to compel students to be buying handouts, though it is not a widespread practice; we have few people that are misbehaving.

    “But the system has a way of handling them, so anywhere they see them they always put them on check.

    “It is not permitted in the system and there is a structure for tracking and dealing with that so ASUU as a union don’t condone it and we discourage it anywhere and everywhere we go,’’ he said.

    However, a cross section of Nigerian students had decried the rate at which some lecturers extort money from them in the name of selling of handouts.

    Speaking in separate interviews with newsmen, students lamented that they were being forced to buy handout and that failure to do so could result in failing the courses.

    Mr Osita Chukwu, a student in the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, alleged that the lecturers usually assigned some students to sell the reading materials to them.

    Chukwu alleged that the handouts were sold between N1, 500 and N2, 000, saying that the students were also made to submit their registration numbers for identification of defaulters.

    “ The most annoying thing is that you may have three lecturers handling a course and each of them will print a handout for students to buy.

    “ And they will make it compulsory, so that you have no option than to subscribe to it, because if you decide to photocopy it, you may stand the risk of failing the course.’’

    Miss Joy David, a student in the Faculty of Business Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, decried the manner some lecturers compel students to buy handouts that sometimes lack depth.

    Contributing, Miss Janet Obiora, a student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, said the sale of handouts by some lecturers had promoted mediocrity among students as many of them no longer go to the school library to do research.

    She opined that the mandatory sales of handouts also encouraged laziness among students who often want to concentrate on the handouts from their lecturers.

    Similarly, Mr Yinusa Bello of the University of Abuja said that compulsory sale of handouts by lecturers would increase examination malpractice among students, who may be tempted to take such handouts into examination halls.

    Bello, therefore, appealed to ASUU to take the necessary measures that would discourage the habit of the lecturers in indulging in the sale of handouts compulsorily for students.

    According to him, not many students have the purchasing power to the bidding of the lecturers, who insist that the purchase of their handouts is the surest way to passing certain courses.

    “ Some of these handouts are less than 30 pages which if students were allowed to photocopy will cost them lesser than the original price,’’ he said.

  • 70 lecturers quit UNIMAID over Boko Haram attacks

    About 70 lecturers of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) have resigned since Boko Haram began terrorising the North-East, Punch reports.

    Chairman, UNIMAID chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Dani Mamman, said this in an interview with the newspaper.

    Mamman said, “About 70 lecturers left, about five died and three are held hostage by Boko Haram. The admission figure of students has been dropping since insurgency started in 2012. We don’t know what will happen to the admission of students this year.

    “The exit of some lecturers has affected research and learning because some are specialists in their fields. Usually, such exodus affects accreditation of some programmes and courses.

    “We requested the government to increase security personnel, security gadgets and construction of the 23.7 km perimeter fence. In the interim, the state governor has started building a 10.3 km perimeter fence.

  • Boko Haram releases photo of 3 abducted UNIMAID staff

    Boko Haram has released image of kidnapped staff of the University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID.

    The three staff were kidnapped during Tuesday’s ambush of oil exploration workers in the Lake Chad Basin by the terrorist group.

    Meanwhile, no fewer than 48 bodies of the victims of the attack have been deposited at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) mortuary.

    The number is said to have risen.

    Corpses deposited were remains of 18 soldiers, 15 Civilian JTF members, 5 university staff and 4 NNPC drivers.

    Some names of UNIMAID staff killed are Dr. Joseph Millitus, Dr. Manaja Uba and Idris Njodi.

    Also, bodies of six persons who were wounded in the attack but escaped to somewhere in Yobe State where they were later found dead had been brought to Maiduguri.

    Apart from the wounded soldiers admitted to the military hospital in the town, many members of the Civilian JTF are also currently on admission at the UMTH.

    Meanwhile, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday, ordered service chiefs to return to Borno to lead operations against Boko Haram.