News
ASUU To Tinubu: Hunger in campuses becoming unbearable
The University of Ibadan Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday stated that the hardship being faced by public university workers is getting unbearable.
The chairman of the chapter, Professor Ayoola Akinwole, stated this in a release to mark the 64th independence anniversary of Nigeria entitled Nigeria at 64: a State in Need Of Deliverance From The Leadership Of Perpetual Have-Nots”
He stated that the Union has been very understanding by issuing ultimatum to government while federal government has been lackadaisical to it adding that another 14-day ultimatum is about to end within which government should meet the demands of the union to preserve the relative peace on public university campuses in the country.
According to Professor Akinwole, “many (Lecturers) ran away to other countries; many died as a result of financial debility; those who cannot run away got into debt just to survive while many resigned to take another job in private sector.”
The ASUU boss stated that “in the sixty-four years of the Nigeria’s independent existence, education and the state of the nation are both in downward spiral, owing to the dwindling fortunes in the quality of politicians steering the ship of the country’s government”.
Political leaders and holders of executive positions be it at local government, States and Federal levels, whose answers to any request from workers especially in the education sector (and the Nigerian citizens) has always been “government have not the resources to meet the demands of the unions”.
While noting that Nigeria’s problems are due to the major neglect of its educational sector, Professor Akinwole maintained that without the necessary tools, improved welfare package for the lecturers and a conducive work environment, the university system will not be able to deliver on her mandates.
The ASUU chairman admonished president Tinubu “to desist from singing the unpleasant and baseless “have-nots” song but brace up to resolve the outstanding issues pertaining to university education as raised by ASUU, inject funds into the education sector for revitalization, improve the remuneration of academics, and address the economic crisis in the country.”
He warned that if the trend of hardships facing nigerians is not halted it will culminate into multidimensional insecurity adding that it is “more worrisome that amidst these economic woes of the people, the government is channelling its expenditure to areas like purchasing new Presidential jet and presidential Cadillac Escalade”
“The quality of lives of the ordinary Nigerians has precipitously declined, and the gap between the haves and the have-nots is daily expanding; the rich continue to get stupendously richer while the poor are absolutely getting poorer.
The so-called middle class has since been wiped off by the increasing weight of dependents in a society that prioritizes “palliatives” over and above the empowerment of the poor. So, while the masses suffocate from the adverse consequences of the neoliberal socio-economic policies of the government, members of the ruling class revel in questionable wealth that makes nonsense of the anti-corruption crusade.
If the trend is not arrested, part of the imploding consequences will be that Nigerians can no longer eat well or sleep well, and the pervasive poverty will have entrenched a multidimensional insecurity with the associated consequences.
While the Nigerian masses are in multi-dimensional poverty government spent billions on cars for Senators and house of representative members, awarding white elephant projects, a fraction of these questionable spending will solve most of the problems of the education sector and lay the foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth.”
Indian lawmaker Gurpreet Gogi, a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has tragically died after accidentally shooting himself. The incident reportedly occurred late on Friday night, resulting in fatal injuries to his head.
Gurpreet Gogi was immediately taken to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, where doctors confirmed his death upon arrival. The Punjab Police described the incident as an accident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jaskaran Singh Teja explained, “As per the family members, Gurpreet Gogi accidentally shot himself, resulting in bullet injuries to his head. He was declared dead at the hospital, and his body is now at the mortuary in DMC Hospital.”
The exact cause of death will be clarified after a post-mortem examination. “The post-mortem report will clarify the cause of death,” added the DCP. Authorities are continuing their investigation to understand the full details of the incident.
Gogi became a notable figure in Punjab politics after joining the AAP in 2022. He gained recognition when he defeated two-time Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu in the Ludhiana assembly elections.
This tragedy brings to mind a similar event in 2019, when a candidate for the Mississippi state legislature, Carl Robinson, fatally shot his wife before taking his own life.
Federal lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly have expressed strong reservations about the effectiveness of border closure by the Federal Government.
Speaking at the Joint Committees on Industry, Trade and Investment on 2025 Budget Defence by the Trade Ministry, Senator representing Osun East, Senator Francis Adenigba Fadaunsi noted that the exit of Niger Republic and Chad from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the consequent opening of their borders to Nigerians are worsening the menace of insecurity across the affected states.
He said:” Border closure is hampering the economic fortunes of the country because rather than curb smuggling, it encourages it.
“For example on rice production alone, the largest percentage of 4 million tonnes shortfall is being smuggled into the country since local producers are only producing 3 million tonnes out of the expected consumption rate of 7 million tonnes.”
In her submission, House of Representatives member representing Nangero/ Potiskum Federal Constituency of Yobe State, Hon Fatima Talba, declared that the borders in her constituent were technically open, not closed.
“Going by free movement of people and even criminals across the borders, it is time for us, to stop fooling ourselves with border closure.”
Paul Kalejaiye representing Ajeromi / Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, also spoke in similar vein.
“We need to even ask the question on the border policy being implemented. Are all borders across the Nation closed or those closed are from a segment of the country.”
The Committee later urged the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole who came for the budget defence session, to liaise with the Presidency on the way out of the border closure.
Oduwole had earlier in her presentation to the committee, said the sum of N3.8billion is earmarked for capital expenditure in the 2025 fiscal year, N4.65billion for personnel cost, N1.45billion for overhead and projected revenue of N2 4billion.
Again, the national grid has collapsed again making it a record eleventh blackout experienced by Nigerians.
A BusinessDay report quotes data obtained from the Nigerian System Operator’s portal (niggrid.org), as indicating that the collapse occurred at 1:56 p.m.
This incident follows a pattern of instability, with the grid suffering about 12 consecutive collapses in 2024,” the report says.
It adds that the cause of the latest failure is yet to be disclosed.
Indian lawmaker dies after shooting himself
NASS To Presidency: Border Closure Not Effective
Just in: Total darkness looms as National Grid collapses the 12th time
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
News18 hours agoGive unemployed youths free land to farm, Utomi tells Tiinubu
-
News18 hours agoPDP protests as councillors impeach another Edo LG Chairman, Vice
-
News18 hours agoGovt to withdraw contentious veterans’ bill
-
News18 hours agoNaira abuse: Policeman in viral video with Okoya’s children detained for misconduct
-
News14 hours agoDunamis Healing Miracles Are Not Authentic -Former Pastor Alleges
-
Economy19 hours agoTikTok To Shut Down On January 19, Gives Reason
-
News18 hours agoPolice to begin enforcement of third-party insurance for vehicle owners Feb
-
News18 hours agoPolice arrest 38-year-old man for spreading fake news