News
We Have Been Pushed To The Wall – SSANU, NASU, NAAT Tell FG
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Non-academic staff in the nation’s universities, on Sunday, told President Bola Tinubu-led government that they are being pushed to the wall.
The workers stated this following the refusal of the government to pay their almost six months’ withheld salaries.
Their grouse is that their counterparts in the academic staff unions have been paid part of their own withheld salaries.
According to the workers, the action of the government smacks of injustice and they may no longer be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the university system.
The workers are under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU).
The National President of SSANU, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, told Vanguard that his union has been taken for a ride by the government more than enough.
‘ It is sheer injustice that a section has been answered and the other section being taken for a ride. We have had enough of this nonsense. They paid the academic staff over three months ago and they keep promising us. My members are already fed up with this endless promissory note that has failed to materialise.
“We are tired of the endless promises by the Minister of Education. We only see him on television making one promise after the other. We are writing a protest letter to the government and after the Sallah break, we will give the letter to the minister. As for our union, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the system. Enough is enough,” he stated.
On his part, the National President of NAAT, Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, said his union waited for the promise by the National Assembly to wade into the matter.
“The House of Representatives told us they would intervene in the matter. At a point in time, we would have taken some drastic steps, but the lawmakers said we should give them some time to wade in. They said they were on recess, and after they resume, they would do the needful. However, what we later got to know is that they passed a resolution on the matter.
“We have got to the stage that some drastic steps have to be taken. We will soon convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the association and then we know what to do next. It is unacceptable that some workers went on strike, a section was paid their withheld salaries, while the other was left in the lurch,” he said.
The National Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, expressed disgust that the government would still be playing that type of game among workers in its employ.
“It is very unfair and we have exercised enough patience and we are running out of it. The President gave an order regarding paying the salaries last October and eight months after, nothing has been done. What is baffling is that academic staff were paid part of their salaries, while non-academic staff were left out. The university system cannot run alone on the wing of academic staff, a bird does not fly with one wing,” he said.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu last October ordered that the salaries be paid.
They were withheld following the industrial actions by the staff unions in the university sector in 2022.
The academic staff went on strike for eight months and were paid four out of the eight months’ salaries in February this year.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has resubmitted her petition alleging sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, this time signed by her constituents.
During the plenary, Senator Natasha was asked whether the matter was already before any court of law, to which she insisted it was not.
Following protocol, she was directed to formally submit the petition, after which it was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct for investigation.
The Ethics committee chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen has been given four weeks to conduct its probe and report back to the Senate.
This marks the second time the Kogi Central lawmaker has raised the allegations in the chamber following a previous petition that was dismissed on Wednesday, owing to procedural irregularities.
News
Reps Set Up Special Committee to Investigate Use of Take-off Grants, Bailout Funds, Interventions
The Minority Leader emphasised that the prudent use of public funds is crucial for ensuring accountability, transparency, and public trust in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs).
He acknowledged that over the years, the government has provided Take-off Grants and Intervention Funds to both new and existing agencies to support their operations, alongside Bailout Funds aimed at facilitating specific services and clearing outstanding liabilities.
However, he expressed concern over recurring allegations of fund diversion and mismanagement, warning that the failure to use these funds as intended undermines critical public services and projects.
Rep. Chinda further noted that the financial losses resulting from such mismanagement pose a serious drain on public resources—funds that could otherwise be directed toward essential services and national development, in line with Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
The House asopted the motio and resolves to set up a Special Committee to investigate the matter and report back to within four weeks for further legislative action.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has endorsed about N10.3 billion for the procurement of antiretroviral drugs for HIV treatment, diabetes diagnostic kits, and other essential health commodities.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ali Pate, who briefed State House correspondents on the approvals, noted that the move is aimed at enhancing the accessibility and affordability of health commodities, and health services, by Nigerians.
“A few weeks ago, we approved the first-line antiretroviral drugs, and now we are putting forth resources, almost N997 million worth of contract, to procure the third-line antiretroviral drugs for those who are HIV-infected.
“I believe you will understand the importance of this, given the changes in global health financing and the shift towards domestic financing to ensure Nigerians continue receiving the treatment they require,” he said.
According to Pate, the second category of the approved contracts includes the procurement of locally manufactured diagnostic kits for diabetes.
“Diabetes is a major issue in our country. It’s among the fastest-growing segments. We have lots of our population suffering from diabetes, and some are not even aware they have it,” he stated.
He further stated that a private company based in Lagos has been commissioned to manufacture diagnostic test kits.
“So, government is procuring the diagnostic kits, the on-point blood glucose monitoring system that is manufactured here in Nigeria. This is bringing to life the effort to unlock the healthcare value chain by encouraging local manufacturers,” Pate said.
Monitoring devices will also be distributed across primary healthcare centres, and health workers will be trained to assist patients in tracking their blood sugar levels.
Pate noted that the president had previously emphasised the need for a medical relief program to reduce the cost of medical commodities.
In line with this directive, he said N4.5 billion would be allocated for the procurement of antibiotics, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic medications—beyond the test kits—to help lower costs.
He also highlighted that the test kits were manufactured in Nigeria as part of efforts to support local production.
Additionally, the minister disclosed that N2.1 billion had been approved for the procurement of a mobile X-ray machine and the rehabilitation and equipping of a 64-slice CT scan at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.
He explained that the upgraded facility would enhance diagnostic and clinical care services, making the hospital a referral centre not only for Bauchi State but also for the broader region.
Akpabio’s gate: Senator Natasha resubmits petition against Akpabio
Reps Set Up Special Committee to Investigate Use of Take-off Grants, Bailout Funds, Interventions
Good news as FEC approves ₦10.3bn For HIV Drugs, Diabetes Kits, Others
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