NLC urges ASUU to double productivity

NLC urges ASUU to double productivity
on december 20, 2013 at 2:46 pm in news
Awka – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in
Anambra has called on university lecturers to work
harder to make up for the 25 weeks lost to their
strike.
Mr Patrick Obianyo, the Chairman of the congress
in the state, made the call while speaking  in Awka
on Friday.
Obianyo described the suspended strike which
lasted five months and 18 days as not only
regrettable but avoidable.
He, however, commended the federal government
for finding a common ground with the Academic
Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the issues
raised.
He said that their action showed responsibility and
was in the interest of the country’s education
sector.
“The NLC thanks God for helping us see the end of
the strike after a period of nearly six months.
“We want members of ASUU to double their
productivity so that we can reduce the extent of
damage resulting from the industrial action.
“The government has shown character and
demonstrated faith with the union; it is not
cowardice, so students and teachers must justify
the gains of that struggle,” he said.
The labour leader pointed out that there was need
for healthy industrial relations between
governments at all levels and the labour unions.
He said it would make for easy resolution of
differences and prevent prolonged negotiations.
ASUU on Tuesday suspended its industrial action
which commenced on July 1. (NAN)

Wait until we give go ahead, Delta ASUU tells striking lecturers

Wait until we give go ahead, Delta ASUU
tells striking lecturers
on december 16, 2013 at 3:23 pm in news
By Austin Ogwuda, Asaba
ALTHOUGH the Delta State Commissioner for
Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha has called on
students to return back to classes, the leadership of
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the
State led by Dr. Emmanuel Mordi is insisting that
lecturers should still hold on until necessary
protocols are concluded.
He has therefore told his colleagues to remain at
home until they get the green light from the local
ASUU over the suspension of the strike.
Mordi insisted that “after the suspension of the
strike by NEC and briefing of DELSU congress on
the outcome of NEC meeting lecturers will be free to
resume teaching.
“The University administration as the University
Senate may direct, will make the revised academic
calendar public and all things being equal, this
should happen in the next 96 hours”, he stated.
Academic activities were yet to commence at the
Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka and Anwai-
Asaba campuses even as the State.
Commissioner Hope Eghagha made the appeal at
the official handover ceremony of e-library complex
at the Anwai-Asaba campus, weekend while urging
parents to ensure that their children and wards go
back to their campuses as government had
invested much in the provision of educational
facilities in DELSU and other state-owned higher
institutions.
Welcoming the Commissioner, the Vice Chancellor
of DELSU, Prof. Eric Arubayi represented by the
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof.
Chukwuemeka Aloamaka thanked the State
government for building a library of world class in
the university noting that the library edifice has
boosted the image of the university and would also
enhance the accreditation of many courses in the
university.

All contending issues with ASUU resolved- Wike

All contending issues with ASUU
resolved- Wike
on december 11, 2013 at 7:22 pm in news
The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom
Wike has disclosed that all contending issues
between the Academic Staff Union of Universities
and the Federal Government have been resolved.
He made the disclosure in a statement following his
meeting with the leadership of the union on
Wednesday.
He also lauded the patriotism and strong will
demonstrated by members of the union to uplift the
standard of education in the country.
The minister, who had earlier threaten members of
the union with sack following their refusal to call off
the over five months old strike in the country’s
universities, stressed that ASUU want the best for
the country.
According to him, “I am very pleased to announce
that all contending issues between ASUU and the
Federal Government have been resolved to the
satisfaction of the parties. Let me emphasize that
we recognize and appreciate ASUU’s patriotic role
and commitment towards ensuring that our
Universities are well-funded, resourced and run like
their counterpart in other parts of the world. Thus,
we are all partners in progress and there is no
victor; no vanquished in the struggle of this nature
for as long as our goals remain noble, not actuated
by parochial interests, and targeted at moving our
nation forward”.
He also assured that the Jonathan’s administration
is serious about revitalizing all universities and will
continue to fund them as a matter of priority.

ASUU: FG withdraws ultimatum

ASUU: FG withdraws ultimatum
on december 10, 2013 at 8:01 pm in news
*Shows proof of lodgment of N200bn University
fund
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA – THE Federal Government , Tuesday, said
it was withdrawing the ultimatum given to striking
university lecturers to resume or be sacked
following appeals from well-meaning Nigerians and
substantial compliance with the directive by some
members of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities.
According to the Federal Government, the Central
Bank of Nigeria, CBN has confirmed that a sum of
two hundred billion Naira agreed with ASUU at a
meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on the
5th of November ,2013 has been fully paid into a
Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account.
Addressing Journalists, the Senior Special
Assistant (SSA) to the President on Public Affairs,
Dr. Doyin Okupe who showed to newsmen the CBN
letter which was signed by the Deputy Governor of
the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tunde Lemo and
addressed to the Accountant General of the
Federation, confirmed that the total sum of two
hundred billion Naira was the balance in the account
as required.
Okupe who noted that what the federal government
was interested in was how to resolve the six month
old crisis in a peaceful manner for the overall
interest of all concerned, said, “right now, the issue
of ultimatum is not a matter for discussion
anymore. There has been substantial compliance
nationwide. If I say you must return to work on the
9th and 70% of the people that I am talking to have
returned to work, that is substantial compliance.

Kaduna State varsity lecturers still on strike”

”Kaduna State varsity lecturers still on
strike”
on december 10, 2013 at 4:12 pm in news
Kaduna - Members of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University
Chapter, on Tuesday said they would continue with
the ongoing strike until directed otherwise by the
national body.
Dr Sadiq Abdul, Chairman of the union said this
in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) in Kaduna.
NAN reports that the Federal Government had
directed members of ASUU nationwide to resume
classes on or before Dec. 9.
NAN correspondent who visited the campus further
reports that lecture theatres and lecturer’s offices
were still under lock and key.
Abdul reaffirmed that the union had not called off
the strike, adding:“We are strictly obeying the
directives of our national body until they tell us to
resume classes.”
According to him, the union will continue with the
strike until its demands are met.
He advised students to remain at home, saying that
the strike was not aimed at punishing them but to
ensure qualitative education.
“The university itself and the students will be the
first beneficiaries of the strike action, “ he said.
NAN also reports that some of the students,
who were discussing the situation in groups,
expressed the hope that the impasse would end
soon.
Mr Peter Jessy, a 300-level student of Economics
said he was only in the school out of curiosity
“to see if classes have resumed. “
Also, Amina Dabo, a 300-level student of Physics
said she was there to pick some of her belongings,
adding, “whenever the strike is called off I will hear
it over the news”.
A 200 level student of Mathematics, Sunday
Kasuwa prayed that the strike would end soon.
“I have not been in town since the strike started,
but I had to come back because am sure it will end
soon”, he said. (NAN)

ASUU update: FG extends deadline of resumption to December 9th As a mark of respect to the late Prof Festus Iyayi,

ASUU update: FG extends deadline
of resumption to December 9th
As a mark of respect to the late Prof Festus Iyayi,
past president of ASUU, whose funeral rites begins
tomorrow to Sat December 7th, the Federal Govt
has decided to shift its deadline for resumption of
lecturers to Monday December 9. This was made
known by the Executive Secreatry of the Nigerian
University Commision, Prof Julius Okojie while
addressing  journalist in Abuja yesterday.
Prof Okojie in his briefing said
"Government decided to shift the date of
resumption so as to allow lecturers attend
the funeral rites of Late Prof Iyayi We just
received information that the burial rites of
Festus Iyayi begins on the December5 and
would last till December 7"
On the issue of salary arrears been demanded by
lecturers, Prof Okojie said:
“You cannot pay someone who has failed to
resume work. You are on strike and you
want to be paid. What if some have already
left the system? Some of our very bright
lecturers may have gotten jobs elsewhere
already,” he said

Asuu states 14 guidelines for not calling strike off now

The
Federal
Government
had
yesterday
shifted its
ultimatum
for the
reopening
of universities till Monday.
However, ASUU has restated its rejection of the
ultimatum, issuing yesterday a 14-point guideline to
its members on why they must sustain the strike,
adding that government's claim that external forces
were behind the union only betrays government's
desperation to distract the union's genuine cause.
This was made known by the union in Strike Bulletin
No. 14, signed by ASUU National President Dr. Nasir
Isa Fagge.
The union came up with 14 guidelines signaling that
it is prepared for a long drawn battle with the
Federal Government.
The guidelines read in part:
• Do not sign any resumption of duty. Government is
out to humiliate us. Hold your head high. This too
shall pass!!!
• If you receive any query on account of the ongoing
strike, failure to sign resumption of duty register,
etc, bring such to the attention of the branch
chairperson immediately for guidance.
• It is a general knowledge that members of ASUU
are on a national strike. It is against the Labour Act
and the ILO convention to sack anybody on account
of participation in a strike, no matter how remotely
related.
• Remain resolute and refrain from violating the
ongoing strike. Our Union is capable of protecting its
members.
• Meanwhile, be security conscious. Do not visit
security agencies alone. In case of difficulties,
always consult your Chairperson.
• With our collective resolve, we can again brush off
this unwarranted and provocative onslaught. Stand
to be counted on the positive side of history. Do not
betray your union.
The leadership of ASUU also justified its struggle
and insisted that it is in the public interest.
It said: “Our collective national struggle to save the
future of public system has entered yet another
critical phase. The National Strike Coordinating
Committee(NSCC) commends all members for their
steadfastness and commitment to this patriotic
cause.
More so, lecturers of the states and Federal
universities in the Southwest said they remained
resolute, describing Federal government's threat to
sack them as 'primitive and derogatory'.
The local ASUU chair, Dr Adesola Nassir,
addressing reporters said the Ibadan Zone of ASUU
comprising University of Ibadan, University of
Lagos, Lagos State University, Federal University of
Agriculture, Abeokuta and Tai Solarin University of
Education, Ijagun, would sustain the strike.
They added that, a government that could hurry to
inject over two trillion naira into ailing banks that
are privately owned should not find it difficult to
infuse N200bn into public universities across the
country.

We Have Met ASUU Demands- FG

We Have Met ASUU Demands- FG
on december 03, 2013 at 5:32 pm in news
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA – THE presidency Tuesday said that the
Federal Government has met with demands of the
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and
there was no need to maintain the strike, just as it
stressed that the agreement was reached sequel to
the last meeting held between Federal Government
and ASUU.
According to the Presidency, the administration
believes that with the agreement and the result of
the votes across the campuses, ASUU has no
reason for further sustenance of the strike, even as
it called on the Union to comply with the call on
them to resume work without further delay.
This is coming as the ultimatum issued to ASUU
lapses today.
Speaking in Abuja during an interactive session
with leaders of the National Association of Nigerian
Students, NANS, Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Youth and Students’ Matters, Comrade
Jude Imagwe who noted that a larger membership
of ASUU campus chapters had voted for the
immediate call-off of the strike, stressed that the
directive given by the government was not targeted
to threaten the ASUU leadership, but designed to
show government’s commitment towards ensuring
that all university students return to school.
According to him, ASUU leaders must work in line
with the directives by ensuring that all students get
back to the campus as the government would
ensure a water-tight security on the campuses,
adding, “The Nigerian public should be informed that
the government has met all the promises they made
on this ASUU issue. If they have not agreed, there
was no reason for them to have said they would
meet their members and get back . It means there
was an agreement that was reached.
“The Minister of Education announced that lecturers
should resume, it was not in anyway targeted at
threatening or compelling the leadership of ASUU to
go back to school.”
In his remarks, NANS president, Comrade Yinka
who maintained tha its association was neutral, said
that it supports a just cause, adding that the
association was standing by the government
because it was working in line with its desire which
was for all schools to reope

For failure to return to classroom, FUTO sacks all academic staff

For failure to return to classroom,
FUTO sacks all academic staff
For failure to return to classrooms, the Senate of
the Federal University of Technology Owerri
(FUTO) has sacked all academic staff on its
payroll with immediate effect. The sack order was
made known by the Public Relations Officers
(PRO) of the institution, Mr Chike Ezenwa, while
speaking with the Nigerian Tribune in Owerri,
through telephone.
According to him, the senate of the university had
declared all the positions of academic staff in the
institution, adding that they would be advertised
starting from Monday, December 2.
The senate council, he explained, had already
compiled the list of vacant positions in the school,
adding that who were willing to resume would be
adequately protected. Continue...
Meanwhile, the FUTO branch of ASUU has said
any attempt to break their ranks would be strongly
resisted by their members.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the
end o their meeting held on Monday, and signed by
both the chairman and secretary, Dr Ikenna
Nwachukwu and Dr F.M. Eke respectively.
The communiqué urged members to ignore the
resumption notice by FUTO management, adding
that the branch would not engage in any academic
activities until the Federal Government commited
itself to implementing the ASUU-FGN agreement.
Source: NigerianTribune

We didn’t give ASUU ultimatum – Jonathan

We didn’t give ASUU ultimatum –
Jonathan
on november 30, 2013 at 8:01 pm in news
By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
President Goodluck Jonathan has weekend, said his
government did not give the Academic Staff Union
of Universities, ASUU, an ultimatum to resume work
or be sacked.
Fielding questions from newsmen at the expanded
caucus meeting of the Bayelsa State Peoples
Democratic Party held  at Government House,
Yenagoa,  the President said, the Supervising
Minister of Education only passed on the decision of
the Committee of Vice Chancellors.
“We didn’t give them ultimatum; it was the
Committee of Vice Chancellors that took that
decision. The Supervising Minister of Education only
passed on the decision.”
Jonathan also said the strike embarked upon by the
ASUU  was no longer a trade dispute , but a
subversive action.
Jonathan
He said, “What ASUU is doing is no longer trade
union. I have intervened in other labour issues
before now, once I invite them they respond and
after the meeting they take decision and call off the
strike.
“At times we don’t even give them a long
notice,unlike, in the case of ASUU that was given
four days notice before the meeting. As you are
meeting to resolve trade disputes, you expect the
trade unions to get their officials ready.
“What was expected having met with the highest
authorities in the land for long hours, was for ASUU
to immediately issue statement within 12 or latest
24 hours , to state their position whether they were
accepting government’s offer or not. And if they are
not accepting they should state the reason for that.”
“But despite the fact that I had the longest meeting
with ASUU in my political history, we did not start
that meeting until around 2:00pm and the meeting
ended the next day in the early hours.  As far as the
government of Nigeria was concerned, all the
critical people that should be in a meeting were
there, so what else do they want?
“After that they didn’t meet until one week, despite
the fact that you met with the highest authority. It
was unfortunate one of them, Prof. Iyayi died.
“The way ASUU has conducted the matter shows
they are extreme and when Iyayi died, they now
said the strike was now indefinite, our children have
been at home for over five months.”