News
Save public universities from total collapse, ASUU begs Tinubu
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign and implement the renegotiated 2009 ASUU – FGN agreement in line with the Collective Bargaining Principles as enshrined in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention.
ASUU said that should the President heed to the appeal and act accordingly, it would save the nation’s public universities from total collapse.
The union added that it would also ensure that lecturers were not goaded into another round of avoidable strike by their conditions of service.
The Coordinator of the Lagos zone of ASUU, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya made the appeal yesterday while addressing the press at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago Iwoye, Ogun State.
In attendance at the conference were the 7 branch Chairmen – Prof. Kayode Adebayo (University of Lagos), Dr. Isaac Oyewunmi(Lagos State University, Ojo), Dr. Akolade Lapite (Lagos State University of Education), Dr. Tayo Okulaja(Lagos State University of Technology), Dr. Gbenga Akinleye(Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr. Wale Ositoye(Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun) and Dr. Wasiu Olooto (OOU).
Also in attendance were the immediate past branch chairmen of the ASUU – Dr. Joel Okewale (OOU), Dr. Dele Ashiru(UNILAG) and Dr. Olusiji Sowande, former zonal coordinator.
Prof. Odukoya said the union was seeking an interface with the President on how to resolve all issues plaguing the public universities in Nigeria.
He noted that by not signing and implementing the renegotiated 2009 ASUU-FGN since 2021 after it was concluded and which both government and ASUU committed massive resources to at the time, the government had tasked the ASUU’s patience beyond bearable limit.
He urged the Tinubu-led Federal Government to without further delay, set in motion machineries for the quick signing and implementation of the agreement to avoid another round of industrial crises in the nation’s public universities.
He identified other issues requiring urgent attention of the Tinubu’s administration as poor funding and proliferation of state and federal universities, non – release of monthly subventions, irregular payment of staff salaries, decayed and dilapidated infrastructures, non-payment/release of check-off and other third party deductions etc.
The Lagos zone coordinator lamented that visitors of federal and state universities have turned establishment of universities to constituency projects.
He said, “For the umpteenth time, our Union again call the attention of the public to the insincere proliferation and mushrooming of universities by both the Federal Government and Visitors to State Universities. The most disturbing aspect of this anomaly is that while most Governments, at Federal and State levels have not been adequately funding existing universities (inadequate subventions; non-release of monthly subventions; irregular payment of staff salaries, decayed and dilapidated infrastructures, non-payment/release of check-off and other third party deductions etc.), Visitors of Federal and State universities have turned establishment of universities to constituency projects.
News
Kyari in trouble as N/Delta youths vow to storm Abuja over failed promises on Port Harcourt refinery
…urge NNPCL Boss to resign
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Groups, under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Delta Youths Against Poverty, Insecurity & Environmental Degradation (CONDYAPIED), have expressed disappointment over failure of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, to operationalise the Port Harcourt Refinery before the end of September, 2024, as promised.
The NNPCL Boss had severally assured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt refinery would start local refining and that prices of petroleum products would reduce drastically before the deadline of September 2024.
One month later, neither of the Port Harcourt, Warri or Kaduna refineries is functioning, safe for only Dangote refinery, as marketers still import refined petroleum into the country, thereby causing serious hike in the price of the products.
A press statement on Sunday, jointly signed by Engr. Jonas Igariga, Coordinator of the Coalition, and Comrade Jack Opobo, General Secretary, the Coalition called on Kyari to tender his resignation letter and apologize to Nigerians.
“In a sane society where leaders have conscience, the likes of Mele Kyari should burry their heads in shame and tender their resignation and apologies to Nigerians for plunging the entire nation into untold hardship”, the Coalition said.
The Coalition averred that, inspite of huge funds injected into the Port Harcourt refinery, Kyari prefers importation of refined products, to making local refinery operational, despite his many promises.
“The NNPCL GCEO has failed Nigerians, times without number, on the issue of Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri refineries, after blowing over 3 billion dollars on the project. It has been discovered that Mele Kyari and his goons have no plans to fix any refinery as they prefer to import adulterated products into the country and milk the citizens dry.
“NNPCL cabal and their importers are deliberately sabotaging the good intentions of President Tinubu by making sure there are queues and Nigerians buy the product at any price fixed and given to them by the oil Lords. We shall not fold our hands and allow this to happen”, the statement added.
According to the statement, several warnings had gone to Kyari in the past, to fulfill his promise by making sure the Port Harcourt refinery became operational in September; but to no avail.
“We read the statement signed by the Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the Oil and Gas Sector, urging Kyari to ensure that the Port Harcourt Refinery became operational before the end of September as he promised.
“The group expressed concern about the energy crisis in the country caused by the non-functionality of local refineries, continued dependence on the importation of petroleum products, and the resulting cost implications for the country.
“They noted that the failure of NNPC has further worsened the country’s energy crisis and impoverished the people of the oil-producing Niger Delta.
“The group alleged that the Port Harcourt refinery is being planned to be converted into a blending plant. They claimed that substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the people of the Niger Delta.
“This is basically our fear too. We at the CONDYAPIED are not only concerned about the corruption going on at the NNPCL, but we are grately worried over the plan to convert the Port Harcourt refinery to a mere blending plant. We shall resist this with all our might. We shall shut down Abuja in protest, in the coming weeks, and occupy the NNPC towers until the needful is done.
“We will not allow our refinery to be converted to blending plant, because we are aware of the potential environmental degradation and terrible impacts on our people. This move could expose the people of Niger Delta to harmful chemicals from environmental pollutions and degradation caused by the waste products released into the environment, if it is allowed”, the Coalition submitted.
News
Just in: Gunmen Abduct Road Safety Agency, FRSC Official In Enugu, Demand N50Million Ransom
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Gunmen in Enugu have kidnapped an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Emeason Chima.
Chima, who is attached to RS4.211, Ugbokolo unit of the agency, was kidnapped on Saturday around Maduka University in Nsukka, Enugu State.
The gunmen are demanding N50 million ransom to release the victim, a senior FRSC official in the state revealed.
The official who wasn’t authorised to speak to journalists said Chima was driving alone in his car when he was attacked and abducted.
Meanwhile, an internal memo within the agency confirmed that the gunmen – using the officer’s phone -demanded for a ransom of N50 million.
“The Command Is In Receipt Of Information About The Kidnap Of SRMA Emeason Chima,” Emmanuel Al-Hassan, Ugbokolo unit commander said in the memo.
“Place Of Incidence: After Maduka University, Nsukka Enugu Road through OPI junction, in Enugu State. Information extracted so far confirmed that the staff was driving alone in a Toyota saloon car when he was kidnapped.
“The unit commander has already been contacted by the kidnappers using the staff phone, where a demand of 50million ransom has been made.
“Further details will be made available as events unfolds. This is forwarded for your information and further guide sir.”
Security has deteriorated in the South-East part of the country with frequent attacks by non-state actors in recent times.
The gunmen have carried out a series of abductions, collected huge ransoms and in some occasions killed their victims.
Aside from government officials and facilities, military and police personnel and others have been targets of attacks by these gunmen in the region.
The Nigerian government has accused pro-Biafra group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region.
But the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.
News
NNPC Update on Helicopter Crash: No Additional Bodies Recovered
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The NNPC Ltd. wishes to announce that beyond the three bodies found in the ill-fated helicopter operated by East Winds Aviation that crashed on Thursday in Port Harcourt, no other bodies have been recovered.
The Company further notes that intensified search and rescue operations for the remaining bodies along with relevant authorities is still ongoing
Once again, our hearts and prayers are with family members of this unfortunate incident.
Olufemi Soneye
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd.
Abuja
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