Universities’ Senior, Non-Academic Staff Return To Work, As ASUU Remains Adamant

August 20, 2022

Some university workers under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Education Institutions (NASU) have agreed to return to work with effect from Wednesday, August 24 even as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) resolved to carry on with the 6-month old strike.

The two unions of the federal universities suspended their almost 5-month-old strike for a period of two months at a brief meeting today, August 20 between the leadership of both unions and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in Abuja

Adamu said during the meeting that the Federal Government has committed N50 billion to pay earned allowances for members of SSANU, NASU and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The new development is coming a few days after the Minister of Education hinted that members of five labour unions out of six within the university system would soon call off their strike, leaving only ASUU, who rejected the federal government’s decision to implement the “no work, no pay” rule.

It would be recalled that on March 27, members of SSANU and NASU declared a 2-week warning strike over some unresolved issues with the government which includes the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, payment of earned allowances, usurpation of non-academic career positions by vice-chancellors, the inclusion of university staff school into the university community, non-payment of minimum wage arrears, and funding of state universities.

The unions had extended the strike by another two weeks on April 10, citing the government’s failure to meet their demands and in June, the unions further extended the strike by two months.

The strike by SSANU and NASU has led to the suspension of the issuance of academic transcripts, mobilisation of graduates for the compulsory one-year service organized by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

Army Angry With Media Over “Mischievous” Report On Retirement Of 243 Officers

Editorial staff

August 20, 2022

The Nigerian Army has lashed out at some social media for reading dangerous meanings on the recent voluntary retirement of 243 soldiers from service.

In a statement today, August 20, the Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said that the allegation that soldiers of the Nigerian Army were proceeding on voluntary retirement due to alleged corruption, poor service conditions and low morale as recently reported by some media outfits “was nothing but a concoction of the imagination of the unrepentant enemies of the nation and mischief makers and should be outrightly discountenanced by the public.

He said that the subjective and unethical report was a distraction and another failed attempt at dampening the morale and fighting will of the loyal, dedicated and patriotic fighting force of the Nigerian Army.

“Perhaps these impenitent mischief makers need to be schooled to understand that the NA is not a conscript Army and that recruitment into the NA is voluntary with extant policy on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers respectively, like other organizations.

“This provides its personnel the opportunity to apply for voluntary discharge, when they deem fit and meet the terms and conditions as stipulated in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service soldiers/ratings/airmen (Revised) 2017.

“It is thus, the inalienable right of a personnel to voluntarily or on medical grounds apply for discharge, if they meet the terms. It is therefore not an aberration that the COAS granted approval for 91 NA/32/4792 WO NDAGANA ISHIAKU and 242 others to voluntarily discharge from the NA, as being unprofessionally manipulated by some media.”

Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu said that given the pedigree and mannerism of the publisher of the ill-fated report, such misreprentation of facts was targeted at deflating the high morale of troops by downplaying recent critical interventions by the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Faruk Yahaya on troops’ welfare, which included car loans, housing loans, extensive construction of new accommodation, massive renovation of old and dilapidated accommodation, among others.

“These interventions evidently account for troops’ game changing onslaught in the North East. It must also be mentioned, that the quantum of equipment that have been injected into the theatres and prompt payment of operational allowances, have all turned the tide against the insurgents.

“Also worthy of note is the welfare flight for troops, which has significantly reduced the burden of troops travelling in and out of the theatres, in addition to huge commitment on the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers and the barracks communities.

“Equally important, is the fact that troops are now being regularly and consciously rotated from the frontline, hence, issues of overstay and battle fatigue are gradually being overcome. Suffice to say, that some of these recently discharged soldiers are beneficiaries of these giant strides.”

What I Discussed With Tinubu Was More Of Brotherliness Than Political – Obasanjo

Editorial staff

August 20, 2022

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the discussion during the visit of the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to him was “more brotherly than political.”

A statement today, August 20, by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi quoted Obasanjo as saying that the statements coming from those claiming to be supporters of Bola Tinubu are unhelpful to the candidate.

Obasanjo said that at the request of Bola Tinubu, he (Obasanjo) agreed that the two of them would issue statement on the discussions at the meeting.

“Those claiming to be insiders at the meeting issuing statement on the discussion and those crediting to me statement I had not made are enemies of the visitor and are not doing the visit any good.”

Tinubu had met with the former president last week Wednesday behind closed doors.

The two leaders did not address newsmen after the meeting, but speculations of what transpired at the meeting trended on social media.

NBC Soft-Pedals, Gives Shut Down Broadcasting Stations Aug. 23 To Act

Editorial staff

August 20, 2022

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has extended the notice to August 23 for the shut down television and radio broadcasting stations across the country to renew their licences.
In a two paragraph statement today, August 20, NBC said that the decision was taken to temper justice with mercy on the affected stations “following intervention of Concerned Groups and visible concerted efforts by some defaulting Licensees to offset their debts.”
The statement was signed by the Director General of the NBC.

I Was Not A Dictator, IBB Protests

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2022

Former military President of Nigeria, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has made it clear that he was not a dictator when he was in charge of the country.
Answering questions on a special programme of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the former leader said that there was no decision he took alone.
He said that members of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) then used to have regular meetings, the way the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is currently doing, to discuss issues of national interests.
Babangida stressed that most times, the views of the members of the military Council over-rode his own, and that such superior views were often implemented.

According to him, even the views of Nigerians through social media across the country would form the basis of the decision and action of his government.
He cited the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) saga and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan issue as examples, saying that despite his opinion to the contrary, the views of the majority members of the AFRC), via the views of Nigerians expressed through social media were implemented.
Babangida said that the Armed Forces Ruling Council took the decision to prepare the country for a democratic civilian rule by renaming his position as Military President and that of the Supreme Military Council to Armed Forces Ruling Council. He added that many decisions were taken after thorough deliberation at the Council meetings.

Splinter Academic Group Promises To End ASUU’s Incessant Strikes If…

Greenbarge Reporters

August 20, 2022

A splinter academic group, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has promised to put an end to the incessant strikes by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) if it is registered by the government.
The National Coordinator of CONUA, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, who spoke at a media briefing yesterday, August 19 in Abuja, confirmed that liberalization of academic unions would end incessant strikes in universities.
According to the coordinator, the liberalisation would also engender cross-fertilisation of ideas, nurture healthy competition and protect the interests of all stakeholders.
He said CONUA is poised to ensure cross-fertilisation of ideas took place before a strike could be embarked upon.
“What we have noted over the years is that ideas are usually muffled.”
Sunmonu stressed that there was nothing wrong in having two to four unions in universities as Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution assures of freedom of association.
He said that CONUA is birthed by academics across universities in February 2018 and applied for registration as a trade union at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in April 2018.
He recalled that the minister held a public meeting with CONUA delegates on November 19, 2020, where he appointed a committee to conclude the review of registration of CONUA.
“We are aware that the committee has since submitted its report. We have therefore been waiting to hear from the government about our registration.
“CONUA is not a frivolous union, but an assemblage of visionary and courageous academics with immense potential to stem decline in university image.”
He said that further delay in the registration of CONUA would amount to undermining the fundamental rights of the people.
In his remarks, CONUA’s National Publicity Coordinator, Dr. Ernest Nwoke, said the that monopoly enjoyed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities had been responsible for incessant strikes in universities.
He stressed that the liberalisation of academic staff unions in the universities was the only solution so that lecturers would be free to belong to unions of their choices.
“For more than 40 years, ASUU has enjoyed a monopoly in Nigerian universities.
“There is no ripe time than now for the liberalisation of academic unions to put an end to strikes in the universities.”
Information at our disposal shows that ASUU has gone on strike for more than 1,417 days since 1999, translating to almost four years cumulatively.
The current strike, which began on February 14, 2022, is in its sixth month.
The union is demanding that the Federal Government executes agreements entered into with the union in 2009 before its members would return to lecture theatres.
It is also demanding that government adopts the University Transparency Accountability Solution, a pay system designed by the universities to pay salaries of academic staff.
The union says it prefers UTAS to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System designed for salary payment to all government workers.
ASUU equally wants payment of promotion arrears and the release of withheld salaries of academics.
Source: NAN.

Group Blames Inability Of Shutdown Stations To Renew Licenses To Harsh Economy

Editorial staff

August 19, 2022

Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has blamed the harsh economic environment for the shutdown TV and Radio stations to renew their operational licenses to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

In a statement today, August 19, Head of its Legal Department, Ms. Obioma Okonkwo, said that by the revocation of the broadcast licenses of so many stations for alleged non-payment of their licence fees, the NBC is prioritizing its desire to make money off the broadcasters over the interest of citizens as the ultimate effect of its action is to deprive millions of Nigerians access to information as well as their rights and ability to freely express themselves through these stations.

“The action of the NBC has only worsened the prevailing lopsidedness in the broadcasting landscape in Nigeria which was already dominated by government-owned broadcasting stations but is now under the monopolistic control of Federal Government-owned stations, which will be almost unchallenged, with the result that citizens will now be fed unmitigated propaganda by these remaining stations.”

Ms Obioma accused the NBC of being insensitive to the harsh economic environment under which the broadcast stations have operated over the last two and a half years as the national economy has been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic itself and the measures taken by the government in response to the pandemic.

According to him, the broadcasting stations are also negatively impacted by the inability of the government to create a conducive environment for them to operate, such as providing appropriate infrastructure like electricity supply, adding that with the stations having to find alternative sources of power supply even as the price of diesel continues to skyrocket daily, they are simply struggling to survive.

“The fact that so many broadcasting stations have been unable to pay the license fees raises serious questions about the fairness and appropriateness of the fees being imposed on broadcasters by the NBC in such a challenging economic environment. As the NBC, which imposes the fees and collects them for its own use, there needs to be an independent inquiry into this apparent conflict of interest where the motivation of the commission is apparently to make as much money for itself as possible.”

Ms Obioma called on the NBC to reverse its decision in the public interest to avoid creating a society of predominantly ignorant citizens, advising that the need to ensure that Nigerians are adequately informed through the media should supersede any other consideration by the NBC.

She called on the commission to liaise with the broadcasting stations to identify the challenges facing the industry and come up with realistic solutions to the identified challenges.

Buhari’s Government Is “worker-friendly” – Nigerian Senior Civil Servants

Editorial staff

August 19, 2022

The Central Working Committee of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has described the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as “worker-friendly.”

The President of the Association, Dr. Tommy Okon, who spoke when he visited the President at the Presidential villa today, August 19, drew attention to the implementation of far-reaching reforms, that include regular payment of salaries and allowances, increase in minimum wage, extension of retirement age for some workers, like teachers, and sustenance of the size of public service in spite of constraints of financing.

Okon however, called for an increase in salaries of civil servants as a result of the increasing cost of living.

He also requested for the restoration of the full payment of gratuity at retirement, harmonization of public service salaries and allowances, and increase in the budget of the National Housing Fund.

He said that the increasing cost of living has made it difficult for many public servants to carry on in spite of the minimum wage review, advising that benefits of all public servants should also be harmonized for fairness.

“There should be equal pay for jobs of equal value,” he added.

The President of ASCSN commended President Buhari for ensuring access and inclusivity in governance, adding that it is the first time the Association is meeting with a President of the country.

Buhari Acknowledges Urgent Need For General Salary Review In Public Service

Editorial staff

August 19, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari received in Courtesy Visit, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria at the State House, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged the urgent need for a general salary review in the Federal Public Service due to worldwide problems of high inflation amidst general economic disruption.

The President who received in audience today, August 19, members of the Central Working Committee of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)

The President said that a Committee has been set up under the Minister of Finance to work on the harmonization of salary in the Public Service.

“A report is being expected, to be submitted at the conclusion of its assignment, which would be studied for appropriate action.’’

The President said the Head of Service of the Federation has been directed to liaise with other relevant government agencies to see how the 2023 budget estimates can accommodate an increase in the budget of Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board.

Buhari however said that the existing revenue constraints being presently faced by Government, caused mainly by the activities of unscrupulous citizens through the theft of our crude oil, a major contributor to the revenue base has been a big setback to the idea of increase in workers’ wages.

“This is compounded by global economic downturn as a result of the on-going Russian – Ukrainian war, which has led to price increases not just in the costs of goods and services globally, but also in the transportation of these goods and services across the globe.

“You are also aware of the enormous burden placed on our finances by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Furthermore, let me note the significant investment we have had to make in security over the last seven years, which means other sectors of the economy have not been able to receive as much funding as we would have liked. Only when our country is secured that we are able to proceed and take on other aspects of our economic challenges.”

President Buhari explained that investment in security assets has been at a huge cost, after several decades of negligence.

“However, my confidence in the Nigerian Armed forces is unshaken, and I have tasked the Chief of Defense Staff and his service chiefs to take the war to these criminals who have made life difficult for many Nigerians.

“Recent reports have shown the message is now being heard and the dividends of our seven years of investments are now maturing. I implore our forces to continue with the current effort and determination until we rid our land of these miscreants.

“I also wish to reiterate that we will not allow a few criminals to have unfettered access to the nation’s crude oil supply hence I have directed our security agencies to speedily bring to a halt the activities of these vandals in the Niger Delta.”

President Buhari said that criminal activities on seas, where large vessels seek to hide in neighboring countries will be checked, stressing: “there should be no hiding place for such criminals, and our cooperation with neighboring countries in halting these crimes is being strengthened and tightened.”

The President said that request for restoration of the payment of gratuity to public service employees was one of the landmark provisions addressed in the 2004 Pension Reform Act.

“Therefore, implementing your request for the payment of a bulk sum of gratuity to retired civil servants would negate the intent and provisions of the Act.

“It should be acknowledged that a change in the implementation of the Act would require an amendment by the National Assembly. But more importantly, the Pension Reform Act is a better designed and robust system that allows for safety of pensioners funds and its payment.”

He reassured his guests that his administration would not tolerate any policy that would destabilize the service even as he implored them to always acknowledge their very important role as the engine room of government, no matter the political party that is in power.

“This is the main reason why you must remain non-partisan in the discharge of your duties.”

Why We Prolonged Implementation Of Orosanye White Paper Report – Buhari

Editorial staff

August 19, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why the federal government prolonged the implementation of the Orosanye White Paper Report.

He said that he had continued to insist that the White Paper Report should be subjected to immediate review to enable the Government take the most appropriate decision on its general recommendation.

The President said, when he spoke to members of the Central Working Committee of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at the State House today, August 19: “while some may complain about the length of time it has taken thus far, the outcome of the various review teams would lead to some fundamental changes in the structure of our Civil Service and as such it must be subjected to rigorous review and scrutiny before presentation and implementation.”

Buhari said that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will submit the harmonized white paper once it has been concluded.

He assured that the administration remains focused on strengthening the service and ensuring it helps the government fulfill its objectives.

The President said that the government understands the role of the Civil Service in policy formulation and implementation towards the provision of socio-economic and political benefits to our citizens.

“This administration remains focused on strengthening the service and ensuring it helps the government fulfill its objectives. The Civil Service must not be seen as a dumping ground for job seekers, but must attract the best and the brightest who will contribute fresh ideas and a determination to solving our socio-economic problems,’’ the President added.”

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