News

Withheld salaries: Normalcy returns to varsities as workers suspend strike

Published

3 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Naijablitznews

***As NAAT insists on the planned protest

By Francesca Hangeior

Normalcy is expected to return to the Federal Universities tomorrow as striking non-academic workers of the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, have announced the suspension of the ongoing nationwide indefinite strike over the four months withheld salaries.

However, according to a circular to all branches of NASU and SSANU, the suspension will take effect tomorrow, November 5, 2024.

The circular titled, “Update on indefinite strike action,” was signed by Prince Peters Adeyemi, General Secretary of NASU and Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, National President of SSANU.

But the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, said it would continue with its proposed nationwide protest and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Finance if about 50 per cent of the five months withheld salaries are not paid as promised at the end of the two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government.

The ultimatum which commenced on October 30, is expected to expire on November 13.
NAAT’s President, Ibeji Nwokoma confirmed to Vanguard that his members have received one month out of the about three months they were expecting.

Meanwhile, in the circular by JAC to branch chairmen of NASU in the Universities and Inter-University Centres, the suspension is to last for one month pending when the Federal would pay the remaining one month out of the two months of the withheld salaries it acceptable to pay.

The government had agreed to pay 50 per cent of the four months’ salaries and one month was paid at the weekend.

The circular announcing the suspension of the strike said, “The National leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU acknowledges and commends our members in the Universities and Inter-University Centres for their unwavering resolve, unrelenting determination and steadfast support for the ongoing strike action.

“You will recall that the ongoing strike action foisted on us commenced on Monday, 28th October 2024 as a result of the Government’s insensitivity to the plights of our members in respect of our legitimate demands.

News

Bill On 6 Years Single Term, Rotational Presidency/Governorship To Be Introduced – Rep Ugochinyere

Published

1 hour ago

November 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Leader of the opposition coalition Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 33 other members of the House of Representatives who sponsored the bill seeking to amend the 1999 constitution to provide for a single term of six years for the Offices of the President, State Governors and Local Government Areas Chairmen, have said the bill will be reintroduced again on the floor of the House.

In a statement issued by the lead sponsor and member representing Ideato North South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on Thursday in Abuja, Rep. Ugochinyere said all hope is not lost as more consultation will be done on the bill and represented at a later time.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the bill which also seeks zonal rotation of presidential and governorship seats, as well as holding of the elections in one day was rejected at the plenary on Thursday 21 November, 2024.

Rep. Ugochinyere said, “the decision on the floor of the House today does not put an end to agitation and hope as they will realize this objective.

“The struggle to reform our constitutional democracy to be all inclusive and provide Avenue for justice, equity and fairness has not been lost. The decision on the floor of the House today not to allow the bill for 6 year single tenure for presidency/governorship and for power to rotate between north and south, all elections to hold in one day, not to scale 2nd reading does not put an end to agitation and hope that we will realize this objective.

“This is a temporary set back which does not affect the campaign for all inclusive democratic process. We are going to review these decision and find possible ways of reintroducing it after following due legislative procedures. All I can tell Nigerians is that we will continue the advocacy and convince our colleagues to see reason with us. If elections are held in one day, it will reduce cost, reduce rigging. If power rotates, it will help de-escalate. political tensions and six year single term will go a long way in helping elective leaders focus on delivering their democratic mandate. All hope is not lost, we will continue the advocacy and we hope that when reintroduced our colleagues will support it.”

News

Trump Announces Pam Bondi For Attorney General after Rep Gaetz Withdrawal

Published

2 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

After Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida abandoned his quest for U.S. attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time in choosing another candidate for the position.

On Thursday evening, Trump announced his decision on social media.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” he posted on Twitter. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families,” according to him.

“Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl overdose deaths.”

News

SAD! 38 Casualties As Gunmen Ambush Shiite Convoys

Published

3 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Naijablitznews

No fewer than 38 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, were killed in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday as gunmen ambushed convoys of vehicles that had been under the protection of security forces.

The attack was one of the deadliest in months of sectarian violence in the Kurram region, a scenic mountainous district bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, but Kurram’s population of 800,000 is nearly half Shiite Muslim, contributing to a cauldron of tribal tensions.

Conflicts, often rooted in disputes over land, frequently escalate into deadly sectarian clashes. The violence highlights the government’s persistent struggle to maintain control in the region.

The vehicles had been traveling in opposite directions on the main road connecting Parachinar, a Shiite-majority town in Kurram, to Peshawar, the provincial capital 135 miles away.

The road, a vital lifeline for the district, had only recently reopened after being closed for three weeks because of an ambush on Oct. 12 that left at least 16 people dead.

During the closure, residents of Parachinar were cut off from essential supplies, including food and fuel, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.