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BREAKING: SSANU, NASU begin strike, ground varsities
By Francesca Hangeior
Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union have begun a nationwide strike today (Monday) over alleged unfair treatment and disparity in the payment of salaries by the Federal Government.
Last Monday, the unions threatened to shut down hostels and power supply in universities across the country if the Federal Government fails to meet its demands before today, March 18, 2024.
National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, said his members, including Vice Chancellors, registrars, and bursars, have not been paid 2022 arrears.
On Sunday, Ibrahim informed disclosed that the two unions were set for their nationwide strike.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated that he was unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike.
However, during the Channels Television’s Morning Show programme, Ibrahim declared that the strike had started.
“Definitely, it (the strike) has already started.
“As of today (Monday), all our workers in registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs have withdrawn their services and nothing moves within the administration of any public university in Nigeria and that will be the case for the next seven days until and unless the needful is done,” he stated.
The SSANU president stressed that no government representative has reached out to the non-academic unions, noting that though some have reached out unofficially, their assurances cannot be taken to the bank.
He wondered why some government officials would not fully comply with President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to pay 2022 arrears.
He added that the Minister of Labour , Nkiruka Onyejeocha, has not reached out to the aggrieved unions despite issuing a seven-day notice last Monday.
This, he said was a departure from the responsiveness of the ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige.
He stressed that the unions would go back to their toolbox and decide the next line of action should the government fail to heed the unions’ demands after the seven-day warning strike, which commenced today.
News
Reps Congratulates Nigerians At Christmas, Advocate Unity, Love, Peace
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has congratulated Nigerians for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the timeless message of hope, peace, and love associated with the season.
in a statement by the House Spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, he said “Christmas serves as a reminder of values that bind us together as a nation: compassion, generosity, and forgiveness. These virtues, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ, are crucial not only for spiritual growth but also for promoting harmony and progress in our diverse society”.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, congratulated Christians on this special occasion, urging Nigerians to embrace unity, love, and peace, transcending religious and ethnic boundaries. He described the birth of Jesus Christ as a symbol of renewal and fulfillment, calling for a collective effort towards a national rebirth, especially in these challenging times. He encouraged prayers for a better Nigeria and support for the country’s leaders at all levels.
Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, emphasized the essence of Christmas as a time to reflect on the values of love, forgiveness, and selflessness embodied by Jesus Christ. He urged Nigerians to extend kindness and compassion to one another, particularly to those in need.
The 10th House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of all Nigerians and prayed that the joy of Christmas would strengthen bonds of unity and love across the nation.
Wishing all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a season filled with hope and happiness.
News
Customs disolves border patrol team amidst smuggling, brutality allegations
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of its Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT).
The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement Tuesday, said the decision was made after due consultation with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The House of Representatives had, on December 11, mandated its Committees on Customs and Excise, Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the NCS across the nation’s borders over alleged complicity in aiding smuggling and involvement in brutality against Nigerians.
The committees were also directed to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols in order to ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.
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The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Sesi Whingan who alleged that rather than prevent smuggling, recent reports showed that Customs’ personnel across the borders were aiding and abetting smuggling.
But the Customs spokesman explained yesterday that the dissolution of the joint border patrol team was part of the NCS’ efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 enforcement strategy.
The JBPT, coordinated by the ONSA, evolved from an ex-swift response team to become a tripartite operation comprising Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Nigeria.
The patrol team was tasked with combating smuggling, irregular migration, and other transnational organised crimes along the nations’ borders, among others.
Maiwada said the team’s dissolution would not compromise border security or trade facilitation, but represents a significant step towards modernising Customs’ operations, improving trade compliance and strengthening national security.
The NCS said the move was part of the organisation’s ‘2025 enforcement strategy’.
“This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.
Maiwada also disclosed that Adewale Adeniyi, NCS Comptroller-General, had approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline its operations and to ease movement of goods and persons.
According to the statement, Adeniyi said the NCS would shift reliance to intelligence.
“Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” the statement quoted the CG as saying.
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Nigerians Are In Pains Because We Chose Darkness In Place Of Light — Bishop Kukah
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has stated that Nigerians are pains because they refused to be liberated from “darkness.”
The priest said this in his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday night.
He emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and individual conduct could significantly improve the country’s current state.
He said, “Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light.
“Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.
“They will know we are Christians by our love,” highlighting that the country’s journey to greatness remains constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.
“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilization and cohesion,” he advised.
Kukah also lauded the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” in 2018, which opened doors for increased youth participation in politics.
However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the high costs of political participation and issues of internal democracy, which still hinder young people’s active engagement.
He also commended the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024 and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund by the federal government.
These initiatives, he noted, have the potential to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth, including those pursuing vocational and technical skills.
“It is significant that the Act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah said.
He encouraged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities while also expressing concern about the ongoing security challenges in the country, which he described as a persistent obstacle to national stability.
Kukah, however, called on all Nigerians to choose the path of light, unity, and love, stressing that these values are essential for the nation’s progress and development.
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