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ASUU to renew agitation for implementation of demands as new President, Piwuna, assumes office
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The newly elected President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Professor Chris Piwuna, is set to officially take over the leadership of the union this week from his predecessor, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, who is a Professor of Soil Science at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Piwuna, who until his election served as the Vice President of ASUU, emerged as the union’s new leader last Sunday at the 23rd National Delegates Congress held in Benin City, Edo State. He defeated Professor Adamu Babayo of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, in the contest.
The new ASUU helmsman, who is the Dean of Students Affairs at the University of Jos and a Consultant Psychiatrist at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, is expected to renew agitation for the immediate implementation of ASUU’s long-standing demands from the federal government as he assumes office.
Piwuna is set to outline his plans and address the pressing issues during the official handing-over ceremony, scheduled to take place at ASUU’s National Headquarters, located at the University of Abuja. Sources within the union indicate that the transition of leadership between Piwuna and Osodeke is expected to be completed before Thursday this week.
Despite federal government claims of meeting 80% of ASUU’s demands, the union maintains that major issues remain unresolved. These demands include university autonomy, increased funding, the payment of outstanding academic allowances, and improved salaries for its members.
The last major industrial action by ASUU, which took place in 2022, lasted for eight months due to grievances over the non-implementation of agreed-upon terms. During that period, the former administration of President Muhammadu Buhari enforced a No-Work-No-Pay policy, refusing to pay salaries for the duration of the strike.
ASUU’s strike was part of a broader protest that also saw the involvement of other university unions, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU). While the other unions returned to work, ASUU’s refusal led to a legal battle, with the Buhari administration suing the union, which eventually led to the court ordering ASUU to suspend its action.
Former Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, had announced that the federal government increased salaries of workers in public tertiary institutions by 35%, paid four of the eight months’ withheld salaries, and granted autonomy to the universities by removing them from the Integrated Payment and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). He also noted that universities were given the autonomy to recruit staff independently.
However, then-ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, refuted the claims, asserting that “No single issue has been permanently resolved by this government since it came on board. We are still telling the same old story, whereas the rich keep sending their wards abroad to study and return afterwards to take up lucrative positions, while indigent children continue to suffer.”
In June last year, President Bola Tinubu dissolved the governing councils of federal universities and transferred supervisory powers to the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), which sparked outrage among ASUU members. The absence of governing councils reportedly hindered the nomination of vice-chancellors, recruitment of key officials, and promotion of staff, prompting ASUU to threaten fresh industrial action.
To avert another strike, President Tinubu recently approved the appointments of 55 people to the governing boards of federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, a move seen as a step towards addressing ASUU’s concerns.
With Professor Chris Piwuna now at the helm, all eyes are on ASUU to see if the new leadership will bring fresh momentum to the union’s demands and if the federal government will act swiftly to address the issues to prevent further disruptions in Nigeria’s public universities.
News
DSS intercepts arms shipment bound for bandit kingpin, nabs suspect
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State allegedly transporting weapons intended for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was apprehended on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following actionable intelligence.
According to the report, the suspect was intercepted while moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa to Funtua in Katsina State for onward delivery to criminal elements.
“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”
The report said preliminary investigations linked the consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara.
“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.
The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups responsible for violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats in the North-West.
It added that the suspect was in DSS custody and would face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
According to the report, security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.
(NAN)
News
Chimamanda Adichie alleges cover-up, negligence following son’s death
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital of medical negligence and an subsequent attempt to cover up the circumstances surrounding her son’s death by taking her pursuit of justice for her late son, Nkanu Nnamdi, to the public.
In a four-part series shared on Instagram, Adichie detailed a devastating sequence of events. According to her, her son suffered a hypoxic brain injury caused by improper sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, Dr. Titus Ogundare, which ultimately resulted in his death.
Beyond the medical tragedy, Adichie alleges that the hospital has engaged in a pattern of dishonest practices. These include:
Issuing an inaccurate death certificate that falsely attributed the cause of death to meningitis.
Failing to provide complete or accurate medical records to her family.
Employing heartless language in legal correspondence, including referring to her son’s death as a “dispute”.
Stalling and attempting to obstruct a coroner’s inquest, which was originally initiated by the hospital itself. Describing the immense toll this has taken on her.
She said, “I wake up every single morning with my heart racing… The ultimate and utter loneliness of grief is that only you can know the true depth of your despair. I long for, at least, peace to mourn, but Euracare Hospital has robbed me even of that”.
The author also recounted an encounter with a senior figure in the hospital’s ownership who allegedly attempted to discourage her from pursuing legal action by suggesting her reputation could be dragged in the mud during court proceedings. Adichie said this was a manipulative and threatening message.
“An inquest is a public judicial inquiry designed to establish the circumstances surrounding a death,” she stated.
Adichie explained, that it is not a trial or a claim for damages, but simply a search for the truth. By making these details public, she hopes to demand the accountability and transparency that she feels have been denied to her family.
“I have decided to make this letter public because to keep silent about Euracare’s evil is to enable it”. She stated.
News
Tinubu condemns death of retired general Rabe in kidnappers’ custody
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar, who was reportedly abducted by armed criminals in Katsina State and later died while still in their custody.
According to a State House statement issued on Saturday, the president said he received the news of the former military officer’s death with “shock and sadness,” describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the security challenges facing parts of the country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed shock over the death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar while in the custody of terrorists in Katsina State,” the statement read.
General Abubakar, who had retired from the Nigerian Armed Forces after a distinguished career, was said to have been travelling to his hometown when he was intercepted and abducted by armed men.
“General Abubakar, after a distinguished career in the military, retired a few years ago. He was on his way to his hometown when the hoodlums captured him,” the statement stated.
The presidency also revealed that the late officer’s wife was taken alongside him and is still being held by the abductors, a detail that has further intensified public concern over the incident.
The president extended condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Katsina State, and the military establishment, describing the loss as painful and unacceptable.
He also reiterated the government’s uncompromising stance on terrorism and kidnapping, warning that the state would not be blackmailed into concessions.
While condemning the attack, Tinubu declared: “Bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. And no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.”
He further stressed national unity and resilience in the face of insecurity, insisting that the country would ultimately prevail.
“As Nigerians, we must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” the President said.
On the broader fight against insecurity, Tinubu said the tragedy should serve as a turning point in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, rejecting any form of negotiation with armed groups.
“General Abubakar’s death should further serve as a defining moment in our battle against terrorists and insurgents, never to negotiate with them on any terms, but to continue to treat them as the greatest enemies of our dear nation, who should never be spared,” the statement added.
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