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ASUU faults sack of 400 members
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said over 400 members have been sacked in the last 10 or 15 years for fighting for their rights and interest of the university system.
The intimidation and persecution, ASUU said, are common in state-owned institutions as governors, who are visitors to these institutions, don’t tolerate opposing views and policies.
Past ASUU Chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter, Dr. Dele Ashiru, stated this during a Leadership Training Workshop for new union executives at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
Participants were exposed to topics, such as, qualities required of leaders of the union for effective performance and principles of collective bargaining and negotiation.
According to Ashiru, the union has been standing against persecution and would continue to fight for the genuine interest of its members. He stressed that the union would not tolerate any unethical behaviour from any of its members.
He said: “ASUU has been supporting members who were persecuted for fighting for the interest of the union and for betterment of the university system, and will continue to do this if it is in collective interest.
“On the other hand, the union has sanctioned many erring members who engaged in unethical practices and will still do so if there are confirmed infractions. ASUU has zero tolerance for unethical practices and will continue to emphasise this to its members. The union does not tolerate indiscipline of any sort.”
Citing the case of members at the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, where 100 of them were sacked, and in Kogi State, where similar experience happened, Ashiru lamented that the deliberate persecution of union members has affected the morale of lecturers, adding that the union often clashes with management of institutions over unpalatable policies which oftentimes have political colouration.
Acting branch Chairman of ASUU-OOU, Dr. Wasiu Olooto, said the workshop was organised to educate the executives on what is expected of them in discharging their roles and to know their limitations as well.
The union has also called on President Bola Tinubu to sign the Nimi Briggs renegotiated draft as a sign of goodwill and assured hope for public universities.
It said repositioning public universities for global recognition will remain a mirage without the Federal Government implementing the Nimi Briggs report.
At a joint news conference by the Usman Danfodiyo University (UDUS) and Sokoto State University chapters, the union highlighted renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, withheld salary, earned academic allowances, illegal dissolution of governing councils, among other critical aspects, as issues disturbing public universities.
The conference was addressed by the branch chairmen Muhammad Mustapha (UDUS) and Saidu Abubakar (Sokoto State University).
They said: “We are dismayed by the Federal Government’s refusal to implement the already concluded Nimi Briggs report on the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement. Also is implementation of the wage award, completion of the Sokoto State University Staff quarters, promotion arrears, underfunding of universities and deepening socio-economic crisis which has worsened the security situation in the country.”
The duo said nothing was being done to properly fund universities to be able to address the shortage of lecture rooms and theatres, inadequate hostel and offices.
The union also faulted refusal of government officials to obey the presidential directive to remove universities from the IPPIS platform.
“To be our chagrin, universities are still being paid through IPPIS platform which ASUU has consistently rejected because it erodes the autonomy of our universities. We are also worried that some elements inside and outside government may be planning to undermine the government’s directive in view of the ambiguity that currently surrounds the transition out of IPPIS.
“It is also sad that government has consistently deprived our members of their promotion arrears, particularly those on the professional cadre from 2018 to 2024. Also, in the aftermath of the 2022 struggle, the government claimed to have budgeted N170 billion which, of which N120 billion, to our understanding, was to address part of the outstanding Needs Assessment Intervention Fund, while the balance would go into an paying one of the agreed tranches of the EAA. Sadly, the government has not released any fund to the universities based on the understanding.
“Hitherto, ASUU remains resolute on its patriotic mission to reposition the university system in particular and educational system in general for a transformed nation.”
News
Niger Delta Lawyers task NNPCL Boss, Kyari to make Port Harcourt Refinery operational Before End Of September
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the Oil and Gas Sector, has urged the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, to ensure that the Port Harcourt Refinery becomes operational before the end of September as he promised.
At a press conference jointly addressed yesterday by Barr. Dickens A. Opu and Barr. Werigbelegha Zinake, the group lamented that, despite the billions of naira that have been earmarked and disbursed for the functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery, the refining plant remains non-operational.
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.
The Lawyers noted that the failure of the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPC to revamp local refineries has further worsened the country’s energy crisis and impoverished the people of the oil-producing Niger Delta, who are forced to buy fuel at higher rates than most parts of the country.
The group alleged that the Port Harcourt refinery is being planned to be converted into a blending plant. They claim that substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the people of the Niger Delta.
The Lawyers expressed concern over the potential environmental impact of converting the Port Harcourt refinery into a blending plant. They expressed fear that this move could expose the people of the Niger Delta to harmful chemicals from environmental pollution and degradation caused by the waste products released into the environment.
The statement read: “As we may all be aware, all is not well in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The level of corruption is suh that if urgent steps are not taken to address the malaise, Nigeria might go into extinction.
“We say this with all sense of patriotism given the precarious situation in the economic outlook in the country. It is indeed worrisome that an oil-producing country like ours is experiencing an energy crisis occasioned by the non-functionality of our refineries and the continued dependence on the importation of petroleum products and the attendant cost implication for the country.
“It is indeed a shame that successive administrations in the country have done little or nothing to ensure the functionality of the country’s refineries. For example, despite the billions of naira that have been earmarked and disbursed for the functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery, the refining plant remains comatose.
“This is on the heels that over 2 years ago, Mele Kyari the helmsman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited indeed promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations on several occasions. This has not happened and it has further plunged the country into an energy crisis.
“The attendant impact on the socio-economic life in the Niger Dental region can only be imagined. A situation where oil-producing communities are made to purchase fuel at a rate higher than most parts of the country is an anomaly perpetuated by the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL. This is indeed a sorry tale in our quest for sustainable growth and development.
“Those behind this anomaly are indeed bent on further impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta region. The sin of the Niger Delta people as it stands with the present arrangement is that they are considered less important in the socioeconomic standing of the country even though it is an oil and gas producing region in the country, whereas citizens of the country in other parts of the country will be buying at a cheaper rate from Dangote refinery and paying far less for a better product without so many chemicals in it.
“We wish to state that we have it on good authority that the Port Harcourt refinery is being packaged to become a blending plant where substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the Niger Delta people.
“This is not only acceptable, it also shows a gross disdain for the Niger Delta people. Those in authority do not care about the negative impact of this plan on the livelihood of the Niger Delta people. The Niger Delta people would be subjected to untold hardship by paying more for petroleum products, and also the attendant consequence in other critical sectors of the Niger Delta economy.
“The economic value chain around the operations of the Port Harcourt refinery would be greatly disrupted and bring about a regime of hopelessness and the resort to crime and criminality to make ends meet. Let us not forget that the level of crime and criminality of proportional to the economic standing of the people.
“The move by the Mele Kyari led NNPCL to convert the Port Harcourt refinery into a blending plant for substandard petroleum products from Russia and other European destinations comes with the attendant health implications for the people of the region.
“The people would indeed be exposed to harmful chemicals from environmental pollution and degradation from the waste products that would be released into the environment as a consequence.
“The rot in the administration of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria is phenomenal. The Mele Kyari-led NNPCL has taken the lack of transparency and accountability to another height. The country has lost huge revenues to the activities of the cartel that is aided and abetted by the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL. We are tempted to say that the Niger Delta people have been slated for extinction.
“The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the oil and Gas Sector frowns at such a disposition which is a dangerous trend that must be halted and addressed with a sense of urgency. The Niger Delta people are an important contributor to the revenue generation of the country and as such it must not be treated with disdain and levity.
“We are therefore calling on the federal government to look into the plight of the Niger Delta people and do all that is necessary to improve the lot of the people through the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in the administration of the oil and gas sector in the country. The first step in this regard is to ensure the full functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery and other refineries in the country.
“The second step is to institute reforms the administration of the oil and gas sector in the country with emphasis on the oil and gas-producing communities that are home to the major source of revenue for the country. The third step is to institute a probe into the administration of the oil and gas sector by the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL.
“We are calling on the relevant authorities to urgently address the lingering issues in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The socioeconomic outlook of the country is worrisome and the country does not have the luxury of time as the situation in the country is getting grimmer by the day.
“The time to act is now and it is our firm belief that the relevant authorities would act in the best interest of the Niger Delta people and the country at large.”
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Photos: Emir of Mutum-Biyu hails Senator Manu for installing solar in his palace
By Mario Deepromoter
Joyful Emir of Mutum-Biyu, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Justice Sani Sulaiman Duna, has hailed Senator Manu Haruna for installing solar in his palace and environs.
Manu who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District has in the last three weeks installed solar energy in the palaces of three palaces in the last two weeks.
Apparently happy with this positive development, the Emir praised the senator for this impactful initiative, recognizing the benefits of alternative energy in addressing power challenges.
On Monday, a team of engineers completed the installation of the solar system at the Emir’s Palace, marking a significant step in enhancing the quality of life for the Emir and his community. The Emir thanked Senator Manu for his continuous efforts in bringing development to his constituents.
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