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University lecturers, ASUU laments 15 years stagnated salaries, demands Tinubu’s urgent intervention
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Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Owerri Zone, have lamented that university staff salaries have remained stagnant for 15 years, while calling on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene on the welfare of their members amidst the current hardship and high cost of living in the country.
The union who said this on Monday in a communiqué signed by their Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, and made available to journalists during a press conference held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik-ASUU) complex in Awka, Anambra State capital, noted that their members had been earning the same salary since 2009.
The university staff pleaded with the President not to allow politicians to commercialise the university system in Nigeria.
“The focus of this press conference is the state of our union’s engagements with the federal and various state governments on how to reposition our public universities for national development as a sequel to the FGN-ASUU Agreement of 2009.
“The Union is worried that both the Buhari and the Tinubu-led administrations have jettisoned the main elements of the 2009 agreement and other lingering issues that led to the nationwide strike action of February–October 2022.
“This conference is intended to update Nigerians on developments since the suspension of our last national strike action on Friday, October 14, 2022, and our engagements with the current administration since its inception.
“ASUU is a patriotic organisation committed to national development and should be taken very seriously when she talks,” the union said.
On renegotiation of the FGN/ASUU 2009 Agreement, the union said that “The renegotiation of the FGN/ASUU Agreement of 2009 has dragged on for seven years since 2017.
“The reluctance of the Federal Government to conclude the renegotiation is the reason why the government committee has had three chairmen, from Wale Babalakin through Munzali Jibril to Nimi Briggs. This means that academic staff in our universities have been on the same salary structure for 15 years.”
According to the ASUU, “We urge the Bola Tinubu administration to speedily put a final closure to the renegotiation by directing the upward review in view of current economic realities and signing the draft agreement reached with the Nimi Briggs committee.
“The most obvious implication of the truncation of the renegotiation of the agreement is that university teachers in Nigeria have been on the same salary regime since 2009 when the value of the naira to the dollar was N120 as against N1800 today.
“The signing of the Nimi Briggs draft agreement will be a concrete step towards restoring the dignity of academia and ensuring industrial harmony and peace on our campuses.”
On withholding member salaries, ASUU argued, “The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions guarantee the right of trade unions to use strike action as a means of pressing for their demands as a last resort.
“The immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in pursuance of his personal animus towards ASUU, engaged in the weaponization of hunger and poverty by withholding the “seven and a half months” salaries of academic staff in federal universities.
“Some visitors to state universities were disappointed, leading to the withholding of varying months of salaries for academic staff at state universities.
“The most ignoble act of the then Minister of Labour was the pro rata salaries paid to academic staff in October 2022, subsequent to the suspension of the strike. The step taken by the Tinubu administration to pay four months of the withheld salaries is a step in the right direction.
“Consequently, we urge the Tinubu administration to put an end to the agitations surrounding the withheld salaries by clearing the remaining three and a half months. That struggle by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, instigated by the failure of the government to honour agreements, was, after all, in the national interest.
“Meeting ASUU’s demand in this regard is a panacea for industrial peace in our universities.
“Compatriots of the press, the Union also draws your attention to the fact that the Federal Government has lately been evasive on its commitment to the payment of the backlog of the Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), part of which was captured in the 2023 National Budget for Federal Universities.”
The union further stated that “The Memorandum of Action (MoA) of December 2020 between FGN and ASUU captured the mainstreaming of the earned academic allowances into the salaries of lecturers with effect from 2022, while the arrears were to be cleared prior to the mainstreaming.
“The scheduled payment of the arrears was aborted, while the mainstreaming of the earned academic allowances, which was supposed to commence in 2022, has remained a mirage in both federal and most state universities. A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.
“On the illegal dissolution of governing councils, the union said the governing council is the highest decision-making body of the university, charged with the general control of the institution, its affairs, and its functions, including finances and property.
“The illegal dissolution of the governing councils of federal universities and some state universities since June 2023 (over 8 months).
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President Tinubu Speaks On Ajuri Ngelale’s Indefinite Leave Request
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has endorsed Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, indefinite leave request.
Recall Ngelale, in a statement on Saturday, announced an indefinite leave of absence.
He proceeded on the leave to attend to pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.
In a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale revealed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday.
He noted that the memo was a means of notifying him of the decision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
Ngelale explained that the decision was after consultations with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home.
He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit.
In a statement posted on X by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on New Media, Olusegun Dada and signed by the Presidency, Tinubu approved Ngelale’s request.
Tinubu stated that he fully understands his Chief spokesperson’s reason and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.
The statement read: “The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, informing of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons.
“The President accepts his reasons for the leave, fully understands them and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.
“While extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Chief Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health.
“The President notes his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation, and thanks him for the remarkable contributions he made in his various capacities, especially in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.
“The President wishes him well in all his future endeavors.
“During this period, we kindly ask that the wish for privacy of Chief Ngelale and his family be respected.”
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Confusion As FG Denies Ownership Of Yacht Spotted In France With Nigerian Flag
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…says it belongs to an undisvcosed private individual
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency, on Saturday, denied ownership of a yacht spotted hoisting Nigerian flag in St-Tropez, a coastal town in France.
There had been reports of a “presidential yacht belonging to the Nigerian government being used for vacation at St Tropez” on social media.
Senior Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on digital and new media, Otega Ogra, in a post on X, said the yacht belongs to a private individual.
The presidential aide said flags used by the president or armed forces do not contain the coat of arms like the one on the yacht.
Ogra said on Saturday, “There have been false claims circulating that a private individual’s yacht was spotted in St. Tropez is a Nigerian government yacht. Here are some points to consider in order to discern the truth.
“The 42m Bennetti yacht currently being shared online has been privately owned for around 5 years since it was constructed.
It is important to note that this specific yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, president or armed forces. Any claims or assertions suggesting otherwise are simply not true and inaccurate.
“It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the owner’s country as well as the flag of the country in which they are registered.
“The official Nigerian flag is Green-White-Green without a coat of arms in the middle. Flags representing the Nigerian President or the Armed Forces do not contain a coat of arms in the center. Placing anything in the center of the flag is a clear deviation
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Constituency Devt: Senator Manu fulfils promise, installs solar energy as alternative source of power for constituents(Photos)
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to enhance better life for his constituents, Senator Manu Haruna has facilatated installation of solar energy in Takalafiya community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Senator Manu who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly fulfilled his promise of ensuring the energy needs of his constituents are adequately taken care of.
This initiative reflects his unwavering commitment to addressing the energy needs of his constituents by providing a reliable and sustainable power source.
The solar energy project is expected to improve the quality of life in the community, enabling access to electricity for homes, schools, and local businesses, while also promoting environmental sustainability.
This project is part of Senator Haruna’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and development in Taraba Central.
Manu is also working tirelessly to make sure areas not connected to the national grid are connected within the shortest period possible.
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