Tag: Strike

ASUU promised calling off strike today – FG

The Federal Government on Tuesday said striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) agreed calling off the nationwide strike on Wednesday, December 9 (today) after it fullfilled most of the agreement entered with the union leaders.

Recall that the ASUU President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi had earier said the government failed to deliver on offers made to the union.

Ogunyemi had blamed the FG for union’s failure to call off the strike, noting that the lecturers would not return to classes until their salary arrears were paid.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, on Tuesday, however, revealed that ASUU agreed at their last meeting with the government team on November 27 to call off their nine-month-old strike before December 9.

“The truth of the matter is that a ‘gentleman agreement’ was reached at the last meeting in which ASUU agreed to call off the strike before December 9, 2020, and the minister, in turn, agreed that once the strike is called off, he would get a presidential waiver for ASUU to be paid the remainder of their salaries on or before December 9,” Ngige stated.

This was contained in a statement from Ngige media office on Tuesday, titled, ‘We have kept our promises to ASUU – FG.’

Ngige said it was false and discomfiting for ASUU to wrongly inform the public that the government agreed to pay all withheld salaries before it would resume work, stressing that the timelines attached to the various offers made to the union had been complied with.

The minister stated, “The N40b Earned Academic Allowances have also been processed just as the N30bn revitalisation funds, bringing it to N70bn. Likewise, the visitation panels for the universities have been approved by the President but the panel cannot perform its responsibilities until the shut universities are re-opened.

“The gazetting is also being rounded off at the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation while the Ministry of Education is ready to inaugurate the various visitation panels.”

He disclosed that “they were paid for February and March, after which it was extended to April, May and June, months they were on strike on compassionate ground, bringing it to five months.”

The statement added, “Asking the government to pay these four months before it goes back to work means ASUU is placing itself above the law of the land and no government will encourage it as it is a recipe for chaos in the labour milieu.”

December 9, 2020
ASUU strike: University students lament continuous stay at home

Some university students on Thursday appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to consider the students’ future and resume work in their various institutions.

Some of the students, who spoke in Enugu, expressed worries and lamented as they appealed for the suspension of the prolonged strike.

The students told NAN that they were tired and frustrated due to the time wasted without any academic achievement.

They said that the strike would make them to remain in the university more than it was necessary.

ASUU has been on strike since March 2020 over demands for more funding for public universities and renegotiation of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement.

Others are outstanding earned academic allowances, the proliferation of universities by state governments and the constitution of Visitation Panels to Federal Universities.

Augustine Azubike, a law student at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said he was appealing to the university lecturers to consider the future of the students and to return to work.

Azubike added that the incessant strike embarked by the lecturers was affecting the quality of university education in the country.

Another university student, Ann Chukwu, of Linguistic Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) expressed worry over the lingering strike, adding that her private business, located within the university, had been static since the strike started.

“My business, which is within the university premises has been static since the lecturers embarked on strike and the business has been the source of income for my school and accommodation fees,” Ude lamented.

Daniel Onyekachukwu, a mechanical engineering student, from UNN, said the incessant strikes by public universities’ workers had altered the academic calendar and the students’ time of graduation.

“Our lecturers and government should consider students from poor families, whose parents are not financially buoyant enough to send their children and wards to private and foreign universities.

“As the academic calendar of those private and foreign universities are not tampered with,” Onyekachukwu appealed.

Joe Ezike of the Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said he was unhappy over the strike as his rent has expired.

“My anger over the strike is that the money I paid for my off-campus accommodation before the strike has expired without proper use of the room,” Ezike complained.

December 3, 2020
No agreement yet to suspend strike — ASUU

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has denied reports that it agreed to call off the ongoing strike after meeting with the Federal Government’s negotiation team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.

The team had reportedly increased its offer for Earned Allowances EA to university-based unions and funding for the revitalization of public universities from N65 billion to N70 billion. ADVERTISING It was reported that ASUU had agreed to call off the strike.

According to the report, the university teachers agreed to call off the strike after government pledged to pay N40 billion for Earned Allowances and N30 billion for the revitalization of the university system bringing the total payment to N70 billion.

It was further reported that government agreed to settle the arrears of salaries of the lecturers before December 31.

The report also noted that ASUU was expected to report the agreement to its organs and then communicate their decision to the government after which a date for the calling off of the strike would be announced.

But ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, denied knowledge of any agreement to call off the strike, stressing that at the meeting, it was only agreed that the union should convey the position of the government to their organs.

He said : “ I am not aware of that. All I know is that we had a meeting and we are going to report to our members.

But I don’t know about suspension of strike.” However, a source in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said after the meeting, the Minister, Senator Ngige, who described the meeting as “fruitful,” added that government made a proposal to ASUU.

Ngige told reporters after the meeting that, “many issues were discussed at the meeting including salary shortfall, the payment system and revitalization of the university system.

I am positive that all the issues would be resolved at our next meeting.” Friday’s meeting was about the seventh time both sides have met to resolve the issues in contention since the university union embarked on strike on March 23.

After the meeting of last Friday, November 20, government agreed to exempt ASUU members who had not enrolled in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and put them on the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System (GIFMIS) pending when ASUU’S preferred payment platform- the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) will be approved.

ASUU had consistently rejected IPPIS, stressing that it will erode the autonomy of the university system.

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November 29, 2020
ASUU set to call off strike as FG pledges N70bn

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has agreed to call of its eight-month strike which has grounded academic activities in the public universities since March.

The union leadership reached the consensus during a meeting with the government team led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, in Abuja, on Friday.

The government also pledged to pay N40 billion as the Earned Allowance and N30bn for the revitalisation of the university system bringing the total payment to N70 billion.

The FG further agreed to settle the arrears of salaries of the lecturers before December 31.

This is happening one week after the Federal Government accepted the demand by the ASUU that they be exempted from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System pending the approval of their proposed payment system, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution.

ASUU is expected to report the agreement to its organs and then communicate their decision to the government after which a date for the calling off of the strike would be announced.

November 28, 2020
BREAKING: FG bows to pressure, exempts ASUU from IPPIS, offers N65bn to end strike

The Federal Government on Friday offered leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities N65 billion for Earned Academic Allowance and revitalisation.

The government also agreed to pay the striking lecturers through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System) until ASUU’s University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) was ready for usage.

These are some of the agreements reached at the resumed meeting between the leadership of ASUU and the federal government team on Friday.

At the end of the seven- hour meeting, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige told reporters that the Accountant-General of the Federation ( AGF) has offered to release N40 billion or in the alternative, N35 billion to be shared by all the registered Trade Unions in the universities after providing necessary evidence of having earned the allowance.

“The FG reiterated that her offer of N40 billion or 35 billion whichever is accepted by ASUU was for all the universities unions: ASUU had proposed that N40 billion be paid immediately for all unions ,” the Minister said.

Ngige said all vice-chancellors are to submit details of the EAA/EA to the National Universities Commission (NUC) on or before November 30.

Speaking on the issue of withheld salaries, Ngige said the Federal Ministry of Labour and Federal Ministry of Education will review the issue of “no work, no pay” as stipulated in Section 43 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap T8 laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 with a view to getting approval for the withheld salaries to be paid.

Details shortly…

November 20, 2020
Strike: Law students sue ASUU, demand N10bn compensation

Law Students Association of Nigeria has dragged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), before the Federal High Court Abuja, challenging what it described as the incessant strikes of the union.

In the suit which was filed at the court on Friday, the association is seeking an order to compel ASUU to return to the classroom as well as an order of perpetual injunction to restrain ASUU from embarking on further strikes.

The suit which was filed by the President of the association, Mr Blessing Agbomhere on behalf of his members is also asking the court to compel ASUU to pay N10 billion compensation to Nigerian students.

This, the association claims is for allegedly infringing on the right of the students to education as guaranteed by Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17 of African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The association is further asking the court to order ASUU to pay damages to all Nigerian students for the psychological and emotional torture metted out to them as well as the loss of valuable time following the continuous strike.

Speaking to newsmen, Agbomwere said that the suit was sequel to its findings that ASUU members had been short- changing the Federal Government by teaching in more than one university.

He said it’s investigations also revealed that members of the union were engaging in consultancy services in oil companies and collecting multiple salaries at the detriment of the Nigerian students.

Apart from ASUU, the association also joined Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President, the Minister for Education, the Minister for Labour and Employment, the Attorney-General of Federation and the Federal Government as 2nd to 6th defendants in the suit.

The association is seeking among other reliefs, a declaration the strike of the union is a breech of the right of members of the association to education.

“A declaration that the indefinite strike embarked upon by the 1st and 2nd defendants since March 2020, leading to the closure of government owned universities, which has detrimentally and negatively impacted on plaintiff’s learning and the smooth operation of academic calendar of universities, is a brazen infraction of the plaintiff’s right to education.

“An order of mandatory injunction compelling the 1st and 2nd defendants to call off the strike and return to the status quo ante bellum whilst negotiation for amicable resolution of the issues in contention or among the defendants is ongoing.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants whether by themselves, servants, agents and/or privies from further declaring or embarking on indefinite and incessant strikes.”

The students are also seeking an order directing the 3rd to 6th defendants to re-open government owned universities and to honour their contractual agreements with the 1st and 2nd defendants in the overall interest of the plaintiff.

The students are also asking the court to award the sum of N10 billion against the union.

“This is to serve as general and exemplary damages for the loss of valuable time, opportunity, mental torture, psychological anguish and general deprivation which the plaintiff has suffered or is likely to be exposed to on graduation.”

In his statement of claim, Agbomwere said that he is a Nigerian citizen, a final year law student of Baze University and currently the President of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN).

He further averred that the suit was sequel to a mandate given to him by the Senate of Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), to institute this suit in a representative capacity against the defendants.

No date has however, been fixed to hear the suit.

ASUU has been on strike since March 2 and officials of the union have been negotiating with the government since then.

November 20, 2020
ASUU denies calling off over 7 months old strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has denied calling off the over 7 months old strike that has kept Nigerian students at home.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a notice signed by one ASUU president, Biodun Ogunyemi has been circulating that the Union had called off the strike.

The notice reads: “The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, following a meeting held with the Federal Government on Monday 16th November 2020 sequel to the Memorandum of Action signed between ASUU and the Federal, has on Wednesday, 18th November 2020, suspended the over Seven months old strike it embarked upon since Sunday, 4th April 2020.

“The action of 2020 was suspended following the signing of a Memorandum of Action (MOA) in which the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) promised to address the contentious issues within a timeline that was to end in February 2021

“Hence all schools are urged to resume full academic activities from Monday 23rd November 2020.

“While announcing the suspension of the nationwide action, however, our Union made it categorically clear that “ASUU will not hesitate to review its position should government renege on the signed Memorandum of Action”

“The Union apologize for all inconveniences caused to students and parents alike”.

TNG reports ASUU as saying the notice is fake.

https://twitter.com/ASUUNGR/status/1329160287073804289?s=19

November 19, 2020
ASUU strike: Only one issue left – FG

The federal government has said there is only one issue left on the negotiation table for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off strike.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono made this known while speaking with newsmen on Sunday.

He made this known in Abuja after monitoring the Professional Qualifying Examination organised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria.

He described the protracted ASUU strike as unnecessary and assured that the impasse between the Union and the FB would soon be over.

“The government is working very closely. We are very concerned and the President is very concerned about this protracted strike, which, to so many of us, is unnecessary. We believe there are other ways of getting things done.

“There’s a shared acceptance of so many of the issues and we are at a point that very quickly and soon, it will be resolved. There’s only one issue in contention, really. The other issues have either been resolved or there have been some kind of compromise that worked out.

“We believe that reason will prevail and the overall national interest will be the guiding principle in coming to a quick resolution. I can assure you that work is going on assiduously in this.

“Only two days ago, the ASUU executives were at the Ministry to meet with the Minister for certain consultations and we felt we needed to tell them exactly what our positions are.

“We will look at the overall interest of the Nigerian people. We know that we also operate in a context of government playing out different segments even in the University setting.

“We have four different unions making demands and we have to balance this. We understand the peculiarities of ASUU and we believe the members are patriotic enough to know when to call it quits and what to call a compromise.”

TNG reports ASUU embarked on the prevailing strike that has kept students long at home on March 24, 2020.

The indefinite strike is over the failure of the FG to fulfil a 2019 agreement and a lingering disagreement over the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and other factors.

November 15, 2020
Acquire skills, travel, have fun, ASUU tells students as hopes of calling off strike dims

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has given undergraduates seven pieces of advice on how to spend their time because of the union’s indefinite strike.

The union in a Twitter post advised the students seize the strike opportunity to get a skill and add value to their lives.

“This strike is an opportunity for any undergraduate to get a skill.
Students should always seize opportunities to add value to their life. At no time will conditions be favourable. Successful people only seize opportunities.

“Here are 7 ways you can make the most of this period.

1 Intern or get a small-time job
This may be a great time to draft your CV and pitch yourself to employers. Already, there are a couple opportunities since the announcement of this strike.

2.Join the family business
Some of us have ‘family businesses’. This the business our parents have been doing for some time. It can be a big-time company or a small supermart. Whichever one it is, it’s not a bad idea spending holiday working here. It’s one way to give back and also add to your professional experience.

3. Learn a new skill
I have an engineer friend who makes a living today from graphics design. He learnt it while we were in school. There’s almost no limit to the skills you can learn during holidays. If anything, start with learning basic and intermediate computer operations(if you don’t know that by now). Code schools are also popping up
everywhere so you can join one. You can also join the growing community of Nigerian freelancers and hone your skills.

4. Be active in church or mosque, other groups
Refuse to be an onlooker anywhere you find yourself. Be a part of people who make things work. Join a group in church, your community, and be active in it. These experiences also contribute shaping the person you’ll be in the future.

5. Travel
There’s no harm in travelling if you can afford it. Travelling is also a form of learning. If you happen to have relations scattered around Nigeria and abroad, consider travelling. Life’s too short to not explore more places.

6. Read books
We don’t mean only course-related books. Take up a novel, read a book on investment, study Nigerian history, look up spiritual books. Read far and wide.

7. Have fun
Well, you still have to catch some fun. Plus, it’s perfectly okay to spoil yourself a little. You can binge watch your favourite TV series, play football, go to more events etc etc.

November 12, 2020
Strike: PENGASSAN says meeting with FG inconclusive

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), on Wednesday said a meeting it held with the Federal Government was inconclusive.

The union’s President, Mr Felix Osifo, who disclosed this in a statement, said the meeting was inconclusive because the government was yet to address some of PENGASSAN’s demands.

The Union on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike, following expiration of an earlier seven-day ultimatum given to the government to accede to its demands.

The action followed the protracted disagreement between PENGSSAN and the Federal Government, over the latter’s directive on registration of its members on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

“PENGASSAN maintained that Petroleum Training Institute and Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency, must be paid using the harmonised template of 2015.

“This has already been used by the budget office, appropriated by the National Assembly and signed by President Muhammadu Buhari into law.

“Also, that a high-powered committee, comprising Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers and PENGASSAN Presidents, should be raised to settle the outstanding issues surrounding the IPPIS platform,” Osifo said in the statement.

“For the 22 months salary arrears, government agreed to pay 50 per cent and that the balance would be worked out after Federation Accounts Allocation Committee has met.

“PENGASSAN has agreed, but insisted that there should be a definite date for payment of the balance,’’ he said.

According to Osifo, the Union however, is expecting to hear from the panel soon.

November 11, 2020