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Tag: University

  • NASU, SSANU extend warning strike by one-month

    NASU, SSANU extend warning strike by one-month

    The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Monday extended their two-weeks warning strike by one month.

    The unions under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) stated this in a circular, addressed to the branch chairmen and jointly signed by Mr Peter Adeyemi, General Secretary, NASU and Mr Monhammed Ibrahim, National President, SSANU.

    Members of the unions had embarked on a two-week warning strike that expired on midnight of April 24 to press home their demands from the Federal Government.

    The union’s demands included the inconsistencies in payment with Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), non-payment of Earned Allowances, non-payment of arrears of National Minimum Wage and it consequential adjustment.

    Others are: poor funding of state universities, delay in renegotiation of the 2009 agreements, non-release of white paper on visitation panels, non- payment of retirement benefits to members, among others.

    JAC, however, noted that they had written not less than ten letters reminding the Federal Government, all to no avail and without acknowledgement.

    According to the circular, you would recall that the first warning strike of two weeks started on the midnight of March 27, while the extension of another two weeks commenced on April 10 and expired on April 24.

    “Unfortunately, the government has kept mute and remained indifferent to the demands of JAC of NASU and SSANU.

    “Deriving from the feedback received from our branches in respect of the resolutions conducted which supported fully the ongoing strike and other actions to be taken by the leadership of JAC.

    “This is to inform members that the strike has been extended by one month to commence on midnight of April 24, pending when the government would have a change of heart on our demands in our letters to the Minister of Labour and Employment,’’ they said.

  • I attended four different universities – Mr Macaroni

    I attended four different universities – Mr Macaroni

    Popular skit maker, Adebowale Adedayo, also known as Mr Macaroni has revealed that he went to four different higher institutions before graduating.

    The 28-year-old comedian revealed this on his Twitter handle while sharing some facts about himself.

    ‘My state of Origin is Ogun. I’m from Abeokuta precisely. I attended Tendercare International Nursery and Primary school in Ojota, Ogudu. Now at Magodo isheri. So I be Ojota/Magodo boy. I started secondary school in 2002. @ Babcock University High School’, he wrote.

    ‘I went to 4 Universities. I gained admission into LeadCity University in 2009. I was studying law at the time. In 200L, our school had accreditation issues, we started to protest, things got hot. I had to leave the school. Lol. I miss City sha. Sweet school like this’

    ‘From there, I went to Houdegbe North American University Cotonou in 2011. I was still studying law there… I cos small wahala I had to leave. From there I went to Afe Babalola University in 2012… it was there I decided to go back to my first love; Theatre. As Law don tire me.

    ‘One thing led to the other, I had to leave ABUAD And that was when I went to Redeemer’s University in 2013 to study Theatre Arts. Small wahala happen. But everything settle las las… I finished there got my certificate and the rest is history. Any Questions??

     

  • ASUU to embark on fresh indefinite strike

    ASUU to embark on fresh indefinite strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it would soon embark on an indefinite strike to press home their demands one month after it suspended a nine-months-old strike.
    Dr Lazarus Maigoro, Chairman of the University of Jos chapter of the Union, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Jos.
    Recalled that the union suspended a nine-month-old industrial action in December 2021.
    ASUU embarked on an earlier strike over the failure of Federal Government to address all the issues raised in the 2009 agreement it entered with the union.
    Maigoro, who described the federal government as an “unfaithful spouse”, said the union would not relent until the standard of education is uplifted in the country.
    “The government’s pattern of response to issues is that of a serial promise breaker.
    “Like an unfaithful spouse, they are unable to match their words with action which is affecting the education sector negatively.
    “We are tired of their deceit and it is time for us to take action and so we want to inform Nigerians that we are tired of fruitless meetings with the Minister of Labour, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Chief of Staff to the President, among others.
    “If they ever want us to listen to them, they should first of all act on the promises they have already made,” he said.
    The chairman wondered why government had continued to defend the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), a system, he said, has been thrashed by the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
    Maigoro maintained that the demands of the union are not personal, but a conscious effort aimed at uplifting the standard of university education in the country.
    He added that over the years, the union had engaged government over all the issues and it promised immediate implementation, but nothing has been done till date.
    “In the light of this, we want Nigerians to know that we are no longer interested in the promises of an unfaithful philandering spouse.
    “In the mean time, we are resolved to proceed on an indefinite and comprehensive strike until fidelity returns to our relationship with the government and our demands are met; We are tired of going the back and forth.
    “This Brownian motion must stop! We are determined to end the dubious pronouncements by government claiming commitment to sound university education and fidelity to collective agreement.
    “Trust has been destroyed by government. It is up to them to retrieve it to avert any strike. On our part, we are ready for any action and our readiness is now,” he said.
    Maigoro said that the union appreciates the interest demonstrated by the Nigerian Inter-religion Council (NIREC) with a view to resolving the current impasse, but regretted that it would not yield any positive result.
    He appealed to students, parents and Nigerians to understand and support the union in its bid to salvage the education system from total collapse.
  • Sanwo-Olu signs bills for additional 2 varsities in Lagos

    Sanwo-Olu signs bills for additional 2 varsities in Lagos

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday signed the bills for the establishment of two additional universities in the state.

    Sanwo-Olu signed the bill at the Lagos House, Marina, to establish the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) and Lagos State University of Science and Technology respectively.

    The bills is to upgrade the Lagos State Polytechnic in Ikorodu, Isolo and Surulere campuses to the University of Science and Technology.

    The bill will also ensure the changing of Adeniran Ogunsanya Colleges of Education, Ijanikin and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe to Lagos State University of Education.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, the governor said that Lagos residents were now blessed with two additional universities to the existing Lagos State University (LASU), established in 1982 by the First Executive Governor of the state, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

    He said that the state government would take the law to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for due process.

    According to him, the government is believing a timely approval from NUC, as it longs to receive the certificates for the establishment of the two universities.

    ”We believe that the transmission would be smooth. We believe that the process would be without any hindrance. We believe that we will do a good job at ensuring that what is best is the only thing that we do for Lagos.

    ”I feel so delighted and proud of all of us creating history today and I believe that indeed generations coming after us will remember this very bold, audacious decision that we have taken.

    ”The two institutions that have now been transmitted into universities are institutions that have produced professionals, students, lecturers among others notable men and women in our society,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu said that what the government had done was proper, for the existing staff, both academic and non-academic and more importantly, for the students today and in future.

    Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Tokunbo Wahab said the establishment of LASUED and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, would solve issues relating to admission for Lagos State citizens.

    Wahab commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for assenting to the establishment of the two more universities and the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa for believing in the process.

  • 200-level Taraba University student found dead in hostel

    200-level Taraba University student found dead in hostel

    A 200-level student of the Taraba State University in the Peace and Conflict Resolution Department has died after a brief illness.

    According to an anonymous source, the student identified as Patience Samson was rushed to the school clinic on Saturday after her fellow students discovered she was critically ill.

    She was attended to and discharged later in the day.

    However, the source further disclosed that Samson was found dead in her hostel by Sunday morning.

    The University’s Director of Communication, Sa’ad Mohammed, confirmed the development stating that more details regarding the student’s death will be revealed.

    Her remains have now been deposited at a morgue awaiting autopsy.

  • COVID-19: UI resumes online classes

    COVID-19: UI resumes online classes

    Following the series of deaths that have been recorded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Ibadan (UI) has directed its faculties to begin online classes.

    The University which earlier suspended the online classes after physical classes were resumed, has requested that online classes should begin.

    In a statement released by the Registrar of the institution, Olubunmi Faluyi, an arrangement has been made to get vaccines for staff and students.

    The statement read, “This is to inform the University community that Management has requested the Faculties to identify the courses to be taught online and those to be taught physically en route to the commencement of the blended mode of teaching and learning for the remaining part of the second semester of the 2020/2021 session.

    “The Emergency Remote Teaching Committee (ERTC), in its proposal to the Committee of Provosts and Deans (COPD), in a meeting, held on the 11th August 2021, had noted and recommended as follows:

    “With the daily rising cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19, and with several cases within the main and the College of Medicine/UCH campuses, the ERTC considered a proposal of blended teaching for the second-semester lectures in the University.
    “Management should note the poor compliance with COVID-19 protocols by the entire University community and should ensure strict compliance through the University’s Covid- 19 Committee.

    “If the situation worsens on campus, full online engagement should be mounted for all courses as was done in the first semester, exempting only departments and units with special needs with the condition that evident strict compliance with the protocols will be observed.

    “Arrangements are ongoing to make vaccines available for all staff and students as soon as possible. Details will be provided as more progress is made.

    “In the meantime, we all need to take personal responsibility for our safety by obeying all COVID-19 safety protocols. If we do this, there will be no cause for panic on our campus,’’ the statement further stated.

  • University made me feel like failure – Blaqbonez

    University made me feel like failure – Blaqbonez

    Outspoken Nigerian rapper Emeka Akumefule, also known as Blaqbonez, has averred that being in the university made him feel like a failure.

    Blaqbonez said this in a thread on his Twitter page while recalling his struggles in the early days of his music career.

    According to him, he was almost depressed as his classmates were making A’s while he was busy dropping mixtapes which made him look like a failure.

    His tweets read: “I can’t believe I was almost depressed in the University because them engineering shit was killing me, all I wanted to do was rap.

    “University made me feel like a failure, niggas were getting A’s and future looking bright, I was dropping mixtapes and hoping notjustokay would post it.

    “I’m really grateful for how far I’ve come. I don’t know who would have been taking care of my mum if this music did not work out for me.”

    Emeka was born on 29 January 1996, to an Igbo family, and grew up exposed to the Yoruba and Urhobo culture in Nigeria. He was 13 years old when he discovered he could rap, and his journey into music was a result of happenstance. He self-discovered his talent while listening to the radio with his cousin, when the song of a 12-year-old rapper was played. His cousin liked the song and challenged Blaqbonez to come up with his own lyrics, since he liked criticizing rappers.

    A few minutes later, he had enough bars for a verse, and that was where it all began. His parents were not in support of his newfound hobby, and he secretly pursued his passion. While in school, he dropped his first project, Hip-Hop in Blaq, and participated in competitions

  • I hawked bread on the street, struggled to gain university admission- Biola Adebayo

    I hawked bread on the street, struggled to gain university admission- Biola Adebayo

    Talented Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Biola Adebayo may have attained stardom, however her rise to the top hasn’t been without challenges.

    The ‘Amin’ actress took to her instagram page recounting how she sold bread on the street for survival.Adebayo also noted that she hawked as an adult seeking admission into the university.

    Sharing a picture of herself in the similitude of a bread hawker, she said:”This picture reminded me of my humble beginning .
    I hawked different things on the street but was more popular with bread cos that was the last thing I hawked as a young adult seeking for admission into Uni, it was a tough one, I know a few people can attest to that here.

    “I lost 4 different admissions because I couldn’t afford to pay, it took me about 7 years to finally got into Uni but today, I’m not just a graduate but a masters degree holder.
    It wasn’t easy but in all, I never stop loving God and hoping and of a truth, God has been very good to me
    I am not there yet but I am definitely not where I used to be.

    The reason for my epistle is to encourage someone, please don’t give up on your dreams, no matter what life throws at you, you’re going through those challenges for a purpose, just keep praying, put God first, be diligent, keep working harder, get better at whatever you do on a daily basis and stay focus……your light will soon shine”

  • University lecturers ready to resume work says union

    The Congress of the University Academics(CONUA) says its members are willing to resume work as soon as the Federal Government reopen the universities.

    CONUA National Secretary, Dr Henri Oripeloye, said this while paying a courtesy visit on the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti(FUOYE), Prof. Kayode Soremekun in Oye -Ekiti on Monday.

    Oripeloye said that the members of the union were ready to work as soon as directive was given by the government that academic work should resume in the universities.

    ” We have our members who are fully ready to work, there are other members of other unions, even factions of Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) who are ready to go back to work.

    “I want to appeal to the federal government to consider other unions who are not part of ASUU’s fight to resume academic work in various universities.

    ” I want to equally appreciate the Vice Chancellor for his support to our members,” he said.

    In his remarks, Soremekun expressed his delight over the visit.

    ” The fact that CONUA took off from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) is not an accident.

    ” I want to commend your courage and steadfastness, please stick to your principles, be consistent because if the union are not careful, the union may end up like other unions too.

    ” The CONUA has set out on a path sooner or later history will commend you,” he said.

    The VC assured the union that his administration will promote workers annually as stipulated by law especially those who merited such promotion, in spite of the fact that ASUU was against that.

    He added that the promotion exercise for 2020 would be announced by the authorities soon.

    Oripeloye was accompanied by CONUA National Publicity Coordinator, Dr Ernest Nwoke; and the National Legal Adviser and Coordinator, FUOYE chapter, Mr Ayodeji Ige.

  • Ex-Gov Yari accused of diverting N10.8bn for university project

    Ex-Gov Yari accused of diverting N10.8bn for university project

    The Zamfara State Government has accused the administration of former Governor Abdulaziz Yari of diverting N10.8 billion set aside for the state university project.

    The State Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Rabiu Garba, made the accusation at a press conference in Gusau on Tuesday.

    However, former Commissioner of Finance under Yari’s administration, Alhaji Mukhtar Idris, dismissed the allegation as politically motivated.

    Garba said: “Based on the records available to us, the past administration in the state had diverted the sum of N10.8 billion from the N37 billion refunded to the state by the Federal Government for the construction of 14 federal roads.

    “We learned that in May 2019, N10.8 billion was transferred to the University’s Projects Account by the past administration in the name of construction of State University.

    “The amount was transferred in two tranches, that is N5 billion each, and subsequently N850 million was also transferred to same account on 9th May. 2019.

    “But instead that the amount transferred to be used for the said project, the money was diverted to other issues that have nothing to do with the university project.”

    Garba dismissed claims that the present administration led by Governor Bello Matawalle is not interested in the completion of the university located in Talata-Mafara.

    According to him, those making the claim were not aware that part of the fund for the project was diverted by the past administration.

    On whether the state government would continue with the project, Garba said only the State Executive Council can decide on that.

    Reacting, Idris denied the allegation.

    Idris said the past administration had initiated a Special Account for the State University Project.

    He said that projects were executed at the site of the university with part of the money, while a balance was left in the project account.

    He said: “Out of the money claimed by the current Commissioner of Finance, Rabiu Garba, about N4 billion was left in the account and they are part of the money inherited by the present administration.

    “Let the present administration explain the multibillion naira capital projects executed in the university, Talata-Mafara before going to the media for un-clarified claims.”

    Idris urged the Commissioner to always verify issues before going public.