ASUU Protests As FG Withholds Her November Dues

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January 4, 2023

The check-off dues deducted by the Federal Government from the November 2022 salaries of university lecturers were not remitted into the account of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, LN247 has learnt.

Speaking with News correspondent in Abuja, the chairman of the Federal University of Technology, Minna chapter of ASUU, Prof Gbolahan Bolarin, confirmed that the government failed to remit the check-off dues for November.

Bolarin said, “Despite the pro-rata salaries that were paid for the month of November, those who got their pay slips observed that check-off dues and cooperative dues were deducted, but the issue now is that the account of ASUU was not credited.

“The government credited the cooperatives but refused to credit ASUU. Now, this is the question: since you claimed you paid us pro-rata, from where did you deduct the check-off and cooperative dues? And since the check-off dues were deducted, why wasn’t ASUU’s account credited? You deducted union dues from the source, but you failed to credit the union.”

FG JUSTIFIES DECISION

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, in an interview with News correspondent, justified the government’s decision on the check-off dues.

Oshundun said, “Constitutionally, there is a provision of the Trade Union Act (Section 37, Subsection 1) that says every year ASUU must render an account of money remitted to the body. All ASUU members get a monthly deduction, which is usually given to ASUU every month to run their secretariat.

“They are also to submit an audited report of this money every year, but for four consecutive years, ASUU didn’t do that.

“The ministry wrote to ASUU, asking them why they haven’t submitted the audited report of monies collected for four years. ASUU got that letter and didn’t respond to it. They didn’t even write to acknowledge the receipt of the letter. A reminder letter was subsequently sent to ASUU, which was also ignored.

“Then the ministry decided that the check-off amount due, deducted by IPPIS for November, should not be released to ASUU. So, when they respond and explain how they spent the money released, the money held by IPPIS will be released to them.”

But Bolarin faulted the ministry’s position on the audit report.

He insisted that ASUU submitted the said report.

JAMB: 1.2m Applied for Medical Courses, 105,226 Admitted

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 4, 2023

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Data obtained from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the agency responsible for the regulation of admissions into tertiary institutions in Nigeria revealed that out of over 1,256,494 candidates who applied for Medicine-related programmes in Nigerian public and private universities in three years, only 105,226 were admitted.

The figures were obtained from the statistics of admissions for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The admissions for 2022 are still ongoing in some universities due to delays from the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other university-based unions.

Some Medicine-related courses in Nigerian universities include Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, Anatomy, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy among others.

In the data obtained by news correspondent, in 2019, a total of 436,799 applied for 30,111 quotas for Medicine-related courses, however, 34,734 were admitted. The figure was higher than the recommended quota by JAMB.

Further analysis of the data revealed that in 2019, JAMB increased the quota for Medicine-related courses in Nigerian universities to 43,717.

That year, a total of 452,196 applied but only 36,821 applicants were admitted.

The latest data which revealed details of the 2021 admissions revealed that the available quota was pegged at 39,850. A breakdown of data revealed that 367,499 candidates applied out of which only 33,671 were admitted.

On its website, the regulatory board explained that some of the factors responsible for the failure of some candidates to get admitted include, “wrong O’ Level subject combination, low post-UTME scores, UTME combination deficiency, duplication of application, absence from post-UTME screening, mismatch of catchment institutions and absence of O’ Level results.”

A teacher at an Abuja-based private secondary school, Titilayo Rufus, said, “Most of the time, you have students who are not strong in certain O’ Level subjects needed for Medicine but then you still see them struggle to add Medicine-related courses in their UTME application.

“We have cases like that, some of them are influenced by parents, some by their friends, it is only a few that truly want to go for those courses and then when they are not admitted, they keep trying while some may even go to some private universities.

“I think the issue still lies with the kind of curriculum we operate in secondary schools. The curriculum is not structured in such a way that prepares students for a world of possibilities outside popular courses such as Medicine, Law and Engineering. These days, we now hear people talking about tech, UI/UX designing and all of that, the curriculum at the secondary school level also needs to be worked upon.”

UNILORIN Appoints 31 New Professors, 38 Readers

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 3, 2023

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The Governing Council of the University of Ilorin has approved the appointment and promotion of 31 new professors and 38 readers in various departments of the institution.

A statement on Tuesday by the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Dr. Fola Olowoleni, explained that “this is one of the highlights of the 182nd meeting of the council.”

According to her, the approval followed the consideration of recommendations from the Appointments and Promotions Committee on elevations to the ranks of professors and readers based on the 2020 and 2021 promotion.

Some of the new professors include; Dr. Taibat Adebisi, Department of Home Economics and Food Science; Dr. Modinah Abdulraheem, Department of Chemistry, while the promoted professors include Dr. Olabisi Adekola of the Department of Agronomy.

Also some of the new readers include; Dr. Mutiat Balogun of the Department of Home Economics and Food Science; Dr Sadiat Shuaib of the Department of Performing Arts; Dr Azeezat Amoloye-Adebayo of the Department of Islamic Law and Dr Faoziyat Sulaiman of the Department of Biochemistry, among others.

Canada Govt Bans Nigerians, Others From Owning Residential Properties

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 3, 2023

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Canadian authorities have banned Nigerians and other foreigners from buying residential properties for the next two years according to a new law that took effect on January 1.

The ‘Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act’ was enacted to lower residential property prices, thought to have risen sharply due to foreigners buying the homes as investments and leaving locals with no choice but to purchase at exorbitant prices.

“The desirability of Canadian homes is attracting profiteers, wealthy corporations, and foreign investors,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party wrote on its website.

It added, “This is leading to a real problem of underused and vacant housing, rampant speculation, and skyrocketing prices. Homes are for people, not investors.”

In cities like Vancouver and Toronto, taxes have been introduced to non-residents and vacant properties to deter foreign investors and make housing costs affordable for locals.

The new law, however, makes exceptions for immigrants and permanent residents, allowing them to own residential properties.

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Average home prices from more than $590,000 at the beginning of 2022 have significantly dropped to $465,000.

The association worried Canadians could suffer should countries like the U.S. and Mexico pass a similar law in retaliation.

“Canadians purchase vacation and residential properties in many countries, but particularly in the United States,” noted CREA.

The group asserted that many locals who buy properties abroad to escape Canada’s cruel winter might be the ones to bear the brunt of the new law.

“These provide Canadians with a place to spend the winter months and are a form of savings for Canadian retirees,” asserted CREA. “If Canada places a ban on Americans owning property in Canada, we should expect them to respond in kind.”

Polytechnic Staff Ban from Foreign Trips Without Permission

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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January 3, 2023

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The Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, has banned the staff of the institution from traveling out of the country without the permission of the governing board of the polytechnic.

The institution declared that whoever among the staff flouted the order would be heavily sanctioned.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Emmanuel Fasakin disclosed this at the institution’s Christmas carol And nine lessons service held on the campus of the institution.

He said, “Well, I do not gloss over the myriad of challenges Nigeria is facing presently but the situation calls for all well-meaning nationals to jointly find solutions so that our fatherland can be better. It is in light of this that management has decided to invoke the full weight of extant regulations on those who have misused the various opportunities we are providing our personnel to develop for their selfish interests.

“No longer shall we condone travelling out of the country without adhering to the laid down guidelines. Members of the polytechnic should take cognisance that overseas training can only be approved by the governing council. Whosoever travels out of the country under whatever guise without the relevant approval from Council will have questions to answer and if they cannot answer those questions satisfactorily, they may be sanctioned”

The don, however, commended the staff who contributed in one way or the order to the development of the institution since the beginning of the year.

Iranian Chess Player Without Hijab Barred From Returning To Iran

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Emenike Agu

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January 3, 2023

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An Iranian chess player arrived in Spain on Tuesday after receiving what a source close to her said were warnings not to return to Iran for competing without a hijab at an international tournament in Kazakhstan.

Sara Khadem, born in 1997, took part in last week’s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty without the hijab – a headscarf mandatory under Iran’s strict dress codes.

The source, who did not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Khadem subsequently received multiple phone calls in which individuals warned her against returning home after the tournament, while others said she should come back, promising to “solve her problem”.

The source also said Khadem’s relatives and parents, who are in Iran, had also received threats, without giving further details.

Iran’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

Khadem, who is also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, arrived in Spain on Tuesday, the source said.

She has not responded to Reuters request for comment. Newspapers including Le Figaro and El Pais reported last week that Khadem would not be returning to Iran and moving to Spain.

The phone calls led to organisers deciding to provide security with the cooperation of Kazakh police, resulting in four bodyguards being stationed outside Khadem’s hotel room, the source said.

Iran has been swept by demonstrations against the country’s clerical leadership since mid-September, when 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini died in the custody of morality police who detained her for “inappropriate attire.”

Laws enforcing mandatory hijab wearing have become a flashpoint during the unrest, with a string of sportswomen competing overseas appearing without their headscarves in public.

Khadem is ranked 804 in the world, according to the International Chess Federation website. The website for the Dec. 25-30 event listed her as a participant in both the Rapid and Blitz competitions.

The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s leadership since its 1979 revolution and have drawn in Iranians from all walks of life.

Women have played a prominent role, removing and in some cases burning headscarves, while protesters have taken heart from what they have seen as shows of support from both female and male Iranian athletes

Israeli Government Vows To Develop West Bank Tourism

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Elizabeth Williams

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January 3, 2023

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The tourism minister of Israel’s new hardline government has promised to invest in developing the West Bank, calling the area “our local Tuscany.”
Haim Katz made the comments days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new government took office, promising in its coalition guidelines to make West Bank settlement construction a top priority. His coalition includes far-right settler leaders in top posts.
Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has built dozens of settlements that are now home to roughly 500,000 Israelis.
The Palestinians claim the entire area as part of a future independent state and consider the settlements illegal — a position that is widely shared by the international community.
At a ceremony Sunday, Katz said he would channel resources to promote tourism in the West Bank. “We will invest in areas that may not have received sufficient support to date,” he said. “For example, our local Tuscany in Judea and Samaria,” he added, using the biblical term for the West Bank favored by religious and right-wing Israelis.
The West Bank settler community has developed a small tourism sector that includes hotels, bed and breakfasts and wineries. Israel considers these industries to be part of the country’s broader tourism sector, while international human rights groups have said they deepen control of occupied territory.

German Inflation Hits 7.9% in 2022, highest in 70 years

By

Elizabeth Williams

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January 3, 2023

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The Federal Statistical Office preliminary data released on Tuesday shows Germany has recorded its highest annual inflation in more than 70 years.
Surging energy and food prices due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine saw full-year inflation reach 7.9% in 2022. The last time annual inflation was near that level was in 1951, when it stood at 7.6% as the post-war economic boom began. Annual inflation in 2021 stood at 3.1%.
The preliminary data showed that inflation slowed somewhat in December, to 8.6% compared to the same month in the previous year, as one-off government payments to help consumers pay their heating and gas bills took effect. In October monthly inflation had reached a record 10.4% before dipping to 10% in November.
Rising prices reduce consumers’ spending power. Many German unions have successfully campaigned for higher-than-average pay rises in recent months to offset the impact of inflation.
Meanwhile, unemployment figures in Europe’s biggest economy rose slightly in December to 2.45 million, or 5.4%. This was about 0.1 percentage point higher than in November, though such an increase is not unusual at the end of the year as temporary contracts expire.
The full-year average jobless figure for 2022 stood at 2.42 million, almost 200,000 fewer than in 2021.

Pelé Laid To Rest In Brazil , Estimated 200,000 Turn Out To Mourn Soccer Legend’s Passing

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Emenike Agu

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January 3, 2023

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Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visits Santos’ Vila Belmiro to honor the former superstar

Brazil was in mourning on Tuesday as legendary soccer player Pelé was laid to rest after his death last week at age 82. Arguably the greatest of all time, he made his name with Santos FC and won three FIFA World Cups for his country and over 200,000 mourners paid tribute to him before his burial.

Recently reelected president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid his respects at Vila Belmiro as part of a 24-hour wake ahead of Pele’s burial. The likes of FIFA president Gianni Infantino have also visited Brazil to bid farewell to one of the most important soccer figures of all time.

A funeral cortege took place from the stadium where his coffin had been placed with one stand draped in a banner reading “Long live the King” in reference to Pele’s nickname as a player.

Lula flew in on Tuesday morning having been sworn in for his third term as president in the capital city of Brasilia and wrote “Farewell to the king,” via Twitter. “Rest in peace, Pelé.”

The queue to enter Vila Belmiro stretched out of the stadium on Tuesday morning with many waiting hours for a final glimpse of the legend.

Pele’s body was finally escorted on a fire engine surrounded by police to the beachfront towards the home of his mother Celeste Arantes before a private burial at a local cemetery.

Brazilian television was also suspended in order to broadcast only the procession which is similar to Argentina’s media treatment of Diego Maradona’s passing.

Thousands lined the streets of Santos to cheer and sing Pele’s name as his coffin drove by on its way to his final resting stop.

First Shipment Carrying LNG From US Arrives In Germany

By

Elizabeth Williams

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January 3, 2023

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The first regular shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States arrived in Germany on Tuesday, part of a wide-reaching effort to help the country replace energy supplies it previously received from Russia.
The tanker vessel Maria Energy arrived at the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven, where its shipment of LNG will be converted back into gas at a special floating terminal that was inaugurated last month by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Germany has rushed to find a replacement for Russian gas supplies following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The facility in Wilhelmshaven is one of several such terminals being put in place to help avert an energy supply shortage.
Germany has also temporarily reactivated old oil- and coal-fired power stations and extended the life of its last three nuclear power plants until mid-April.
Environmental campaigners said they planned to protest the arrival of the Maria Energy, arguing Germany shouldn’t be importing fossil fuels, particularly gas obtained through fracking.
Reserves in Germany’s gas storage facilities rose above 90% at the start of the year as unseasonably warm temperatures across much of central Europe reduced heating demand.