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Anxiety As Nigerian Universities Workers Begin Strike Today
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has vowed to indefinitely shut down all activities in universities across the country from Monday (today) when they embark on an indefinite strike.
A statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday and signed by National President, SSANU, Mohammed Ibrahim, General Secretary, NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, said the ultimatum it gave the Federal Government over its withheld salaries expired Sunday midnight.
The unions are demanding, among others, the payment of the four-month withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances and implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
The Federal Government had through the Ministry of Labour and Employment invoked the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy when the four university-based unions embarked on a prolonged strike in 2022.
Last October, President Bola Tinubu directed the payment of four of the eight months withheld salaries for the academic staff. It was finally paid in February.
The directive was silent about the non-teaching staff, raising concerns as to their fate. The unions also described the directive as selective and kicked against it.
The unions subsequently wrote to the government, gave ultimatums, protested and held warning strikes, but their four-month salaries are still being withheld.
The statement, called on all the state-owned universities to also incorporate their local demands into the strike action as appropriate.
“Your strict compliance and adherence to this directive is mandatory for all NASU and SSANU branches in Federal and State Owned Universities as well as Inter-University Centres,” it read.
It also said, “The last circular of the Joint Action Committee of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities titled, “Latest Development in Respect of the Withheld Four Months’ Salaries” referenced JAC/NS/VOL.III/32 dated 21st October 2024 refers.
“The circular under reference gave seven days to the Federal Government to do the needful in respect of our demands for payment of outstanding four months’ salaries and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sighed with the Federal Government on 20th August, 2022 which expires midnight of Sunday, 27th October, 2024.”
It recall that at the last National Peaceful Protest of JAC of NASU and SSANU held on July 18, 2024 at the Unity Fountain Abuja, an ultimatum of 10 days was given to the Government to pay the withheld salaries to avoid shutting down of activities in the Universities and Inter-University Centres with no consequence.
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that Government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail.
“We have exercised considerable and prolonged patience, allowing multiple deadlines to pass without receiving a satisfactory response to our demands by the Government,” the statement, “This is to direct all our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres throughout the country to hold a joint congress in their respective campuses on Monday, 28th October, 2024 and proceed on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike action as no concession should be given in any guise.”
SSANU members are in charge of major facilities on campuses, which has sparked fears of a standstill of activities if the strike begins today.
“Our members are in charge of water supply, electricity, communication, internet supply, security, finance, if they pay this money tomorrow (today), we will call off the strike,” SSANU boss Ibrahim told The PUNCH.
The strike holds as President Tinubu directed outgoing Minister of Education Prof Mamman Tahir to hand over office to the incoming Dr Tunji Alausa on Wednesday.
Efforts to reach the Federal Ministry of Education for reaction to the industrial action by both unions were unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.
In March, the union embarked on a one-week warning strike after its letter to the education minister and the Chief of Staff to the President were not responded to. In July, the unions ordered a nationwide protest to call the government’s attention to their plight.
After the July meeting, the spokesperson for the education ministry, Folashade Boriowo, said the withheld salaries had been forwarded to the highest level of government and were receiving attention.
Earlier this month, the union gave a seven-day ultimatum over the withheld salaries but the action also failed to achieve the desired result.
“It is quite appalling that we have issued several ultimatums thereafter with no positive result from the government, it is therefore obvious that the government is not positively disposed to our rightful and legitimate demands in spite of several interactions, dialogues, exchange of correspondences and assurances of payment all to no avail,” the unions said in the statement.
Last month, the unions announced plans to commence an indefinite strike if their outstanding salaries were not paid within three weeks, demanding, among other things, the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.
In a statement jointly signed by SSANU boss Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Adeyemi, the unions said the Federal Government was given a 10-day grace period, which expired on July 26, 2024, to pay the four months of outstanding salaries to university staff, with the threat of shutting down universities and inter-university centres if the payment was not made.
However, six weeks after the grace period elapsed, the government has still not fulfilled this obligation.
“It is in respect of the above that we write to inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government be given another three weeks’ final ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and also implement the agreement reached with it on 20th August 2022, failing which our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum.”
The unions noted that they were aware that President Tinubu had approved the payment of the outstanding four months’ withheld salaries, but that this was not implemented by relevant government officials.
“We have it on good authority that Mr. President has given approval for the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the national minimum wage meeting with the leadership of NLC and TUC.
“Of recent, we also heard that Mr. President has given approval for the actual release of the payment. Regrettably, nothing has been forthcoming despite all the approvals,” both unions stated in September.
Credit: PUNCH
News
Snapchat gains 11m users worldwide
By Francesca Hangeior
Snapchat’s global user base continues to grow, with 11 million new daily active users joining in the last three months, bringing the app’s total to 443 million, an increase of 9%.
However, its user count in the U.S. market has stagnated at 100 million annually.
Snap, Snapchat’s parent company, has struggled to convert its growing user base into profits.
Revenue for the third quarter rose by 15% year-over-year to $1.37 billion, slightly surpassing analyst expectations but the company still posted a loss of $153 million—a 58% improvement from a $368.3 million loss in the same period last year.
Snap’s revenue mainly comes from advertising on the Snapchat platform.
For the upcoming quarter, including the Christmas season, Snap forecasts revenue between $1.51 billion and $1.56 billion, aligning with analysts’ higher estimates.
Following the announcement of a $500 million share buyback, Snap’s stock rose by about 7% in after-hours trading.
News
Nigeria pushes for leading fish exporter status — Oyetola
By Francesca Hangeior
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that Nigeria is positioning itself to become a major exporter of fish as part of its strategic blue economy push.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Head of Press for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Muhammad Zakari.
At the 39th Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Oyetola, stressed that Nigeria is moving towards becoming a major exporter of fish products while also working to achieve self-sufficiency.
“The establishment of this ministry marks the beginning of a new era for the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector. In line with Mr President’s vision, the ministry is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in fish production and positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of fish and fisheries products.”
The Minister noted that the theme of this year’s conference, “Unlocking the Investment Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy: Advancing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector for Sustainable Development,” aligns with the President’s goal of expanding the nation’s economic opportunities.
“The theme of this year’s conference is particularly significant, as it aligns with the President’s vision for sustainable economic diversification, reflected in the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue
Economy. This focus has been reinforced by the recent transfer of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to this Ministry, which will now directly oversee all fisheries-related matters.”
Oyetola further stated, “The Ministry is implementing various initiatives to manage fisheries, enhance investment in fisheries and aquaculture, improve post-harvest infrastructure, promote innovation, leverage technology, and foster multi-stakeholder collaborations.”
The Minister highlighted the commitment to fully utilising Nigeria’s marine resources, noting the sub-sector’s potential to boost food production, create jobs, and drive economic development for Nigerians.
He added, “Fisheries and aquaculture are central to the broader vision for Nigeria’s Blue Economy sector. The Ministry’s strategic focus is to upscale fish production sustainably, tapping into the full spectrum of our marine resources.
“This sub-sector has the potential to unlock long-term resources, increase food production, provide job opportunities, and drive sustainable development across our coastal and inland waters. This, in turn, offers long-term prosperity and security for future generations.”
Oyetola mentioned that, since the department’s transfer to the ministry nine months ago, significant progress has been made across several areas, including boosting local feed production while reducing imports, engaging stakeholders to identify growth needs, enhancing public-private partnerships to attract investment, studying best practices from countries like Morocco, and collaborating with international organisations such as the FAO.
News
Confusion as petitioners query Obaseki’s silence on multi-billion naira Edo investments
As the Transition Committee in Edo State awaits the clarification of the stake owned by Edo State Government in the ownership of some properties, palpable fear has enveloped Government House over the out-going Governor’s silence on Ossiomo Power Plant, Edo Modular Refinery and the Radisson Blu Hotel.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) Committees, held a joint session where facts about the three companies were discussed.
The PDP team, during the meeting, promised that the matter will be discussed with Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The APC team, which requested documents on the ownership and stake of Edo state government in the projects, were stunned when the government officials feigned ignorance in such mega projects that cost taxpayers several billions of naira.
A petition addressed to the Transition Committee and copied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is said to be unsettling Governor Obaseki who will be handing over to Senator Monday Okpebholo in less than two weeks.
The petition, signed by Comrade Samuel Osawaru of the Edo Integrity Group, is believed to be working from the Obaseki team.
The group stated that Quadrant Consolidated Systems Engineering Limited, allegedly owned by Uwagboe Igiehon and Mark Igiehon, was being used for the financial transactions including “receiving of revenues for themselves and on behalf of Ossiomo Power Project” from Edo state government coffers.
The group, which named Chinese Clean Energy and Telecom Company (CCETC) as the technical partners of Ossiomo Power Project, also disclosed that both the CCETC and Ossiomo were holding companies for the owners of the plant.
It added that majority of Edo State Government agencies pay their tariff to the Ossiomo Power Plant through estimated billing but the company has quickly resorted to metering of the government agencies since 21st September 2024, when PDP lost election.
The Edo Integrity Group which stated that it was fighting corruption in Edo State, appealed to the Transition Committee and the EFCC “to beam search light on the activities of Ossiomo Power Plant as a lot has happened there” in the past few years.
In a related development, an anonymous letter addressed to security agencies has indicted Governor Obaseki over the acquisition of Edo Modular Refinery and Radisson Blu Hotels, which were both funded with tax-payers money but converted to private ownership.
The letter urged the security agencies to investigate the funding of both companies which were from Edo state government “but not included as assets of Edo state in the ongoing handover notes for the in-coming administration.”
The writers of the petition also revealed that they were staff of Edo State Government and members of the PDP Transition Committee “but were not allowed to function as all documents and directives were from Governor Obaseki, mostly through telephone calls.”
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They called for thorough investigation stating their “resolve to disclose information because of their allegiance to the state and not to any individual.”
The owners of the American-Dutch based Radisson Blu were said to be uncomfortable with their brand being drawn into corruption allegations and have written several letters to the governor indicating willingness to pull out of the partnership and franchise for integrity’s sake.
Radisson Blu hotels are mainly located in major cities across Europe, Middle East and Africa and owned by Choice Hotels, Jinjiang International and Radisson Hotel Group with headquarters in USA and Belgium.
Deputy Governor of Edo state, Philip Shuaibu, had last month inspected the site of the Radisson Blu hotels sending indications that the project was being funded by the Edo state government.
But the new twist emerged as the Government did not declare it as property of the state. The Government did not also capture it in the handover notes to the transition committee.
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