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ASUU strike: NLC to convene meeting as ultimatum ends today
The Nigeria Labour Congress has said its organs will meet and decide on the next line of action as the ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government over the looming industrial action in public tertiary institutions expires on Saturday (today).
The acting Secretary-General of the NLC, Benson Upah, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.
The NLC, after a meeting with tertiary institution-based unions, resolved to give the Federal Government a one-month ultimatum to resolve the lingering crisis in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU, but the problem in this sector goes beyond ASUU. That is why we are extending this to four weeks.
“The era of signing agreements, negotiations and threatening the unions involved has come to an end,” the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said while briefing the press after the meeting with labour leaders.
With the expiration of the deadline on Friday, Upah told our correspondent that the NLC remained committed to industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.
He said, “In keeping with our pledge and in pursuance of our unflagging commitment to the noble causes of the unions in tertiary institutions, appropriate organs of the Congress will meet and decide on the next line of action. You’d be duly informed.”
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has urged the Federal Government to ensure that necessary measures are taken to avert the looming strike in public universities.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Assistant Secretary-General of NANS, Adejuwon Olatunji-Emmanuel, called on the Federal Government to take “urgent, decisive, and lasting action” to address the issues surrounding the ongoing warning strike declared by ASUU.
Olatunji-Emmanuel said it was imperative that all necessary measures be taken to prevent a total shutdown of academic activities across tertiary institutions.
“Since the beginning of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigerian students have enjoyed an uninterrupted academic calendar, a level of stability not experienced since 1999. This progress must be safeguarded.
“Sustaining this momentum is essential not only for academic continuity but also for national development, productivity, and the well-being of millions of students whose futures depend on a functional and stable education system,” he added.
He further urged the Federal Government and all stakeholders to prioritise constructive dialogue and the immediate resolution of all pending concerns to ensure that campuses remain open and learning continues without disruption.
ASUU had on October 22 suspended its two-week warning strike, granting the Federal Government a one-month window to meet its demands. The one-month window, however, expired on Friday (yesterday).
Among the demands are the review of the 2009 ASUU–Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and disbursement of the university revitalisation fund.
The union warned that it would resume industrial action without prior notice if no concrete steps were taken within one month.
But the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the government had met the demands of the union.
Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, the minister reiterated the President’s earlier directive that there should not be any strike in public universities, adding that negotiations were ongoing and that the government was doing all that is humanly possible to keep students in school.
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PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.
The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.
The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.
The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.
The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.
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The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.
According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.
Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.
The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.
At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.
Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.
The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.
Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).
Details shortly…
PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today
“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule
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