ASUU Appeals Court Order Directing Union To End Strike

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September 23, 2022

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has filed an appeal against the order of the National Industrial court that directed striking lecturers to return to class.

Recall that the Industrial court had on Wednesday ordered the union to call off its seven months old strike pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The Federal Government had, in an interlocutory motion filed by its counsel, James Igwe, asked that the university lecturers be compelled by the court to go back to work pending the resolution of their demands for better working conditions.

Ruling on the interlocutory injunction, the trial Judge, Justice Polycarp Hamman, restrained ASUU from continuing with the industrial action pending the determination of the suit filed against ASUU by the Federal Government.

The court invoked Section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA) and national interest of the Nigerian students to grant the request of the Federal Government for an order compelling ASUU to call off its seven months strike.

The Federal Government, in its submissions, contended that under Section 18(1)E of the TDA, employees could not continue a strike action when a matter is already referred to the industrial court for ad- judication and that there was need for the matter to be expeditiously determined to enable university students to return to school.

According to Igwe, the failure to call off the strike would cause irreparable damage to both the university students and the nation.

The lecturers downed tools on February 14 over the controversy on the adoption of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) of the government as the payment system in the university sector, among other issues.

They had also condemned the poor funding of universities, non-payment of salaries and allowances of some of their colleagues, as well as the inability of the government to pay earned academic allowance to lecturers

But efforts to get the academics back to class have failed until now as several negotiations between the union and the government have failed.

Holy Island Fishing Ban Would Turn Island Into A Museum

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Angel Gimalo

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September 23, 2022

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A fishing ban at Holy Island has been opposed by councillors, with claims by one it would turn it “into a museum”.

The government is exploring creating a Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) which would see commercial and recreational fishing halted.

Conservative-led Northumberland County Council heard this week such a move would “devastate” the local economy.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it wanted to support the fishing industry.

Councillor Colin Hardy, who represents Norham and Islandshires, told the meeting a ban would lead to the loss of six fishing boats – “the equivalent of six farms on the mainland”.

He said: “It will devastate the island’s economy. It will make it unaffordable. If we lose the fisherman, we lose the school, we lose the heart of the island.

“We become a museum, like Beamish. The last person across the causeway, switch the lights off.

“The fisherman of Holy Island don’t trawl. They don’t dredge the seas. They feed a local industry, they feed a local community and they feed our county.”

Interim chief executive Rick O’Farrell claimed Defra’s own documents acknowledged a loss to the economy of between £600,000 and £9m, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Incredible Biodiversity

A majority of councillors supported a motion to oppose the HPMA plan, although the council’s two Green representatives did not, with councillor Martin Swinbank, of Alnwick, saying the authority should not dismiss the proposal without more evidence.

A Defra spokesman said Lindisfarne was being considered as a potential HPMA “because of its incredible biodiversity”.

He added: “It is home to over 850 species, 40 of which are identified as threatened and important, as well as valuable blue carbon habitats.

“As part of our consultation, we have listened to the views of the local community, fishermen, environmental groups and others with a view on these really important issues. These will be taken on board before any decisions are made.”

Federal Govt Will Still Negotiate with ASUU In Spite of Court Victory – Minister

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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The Federal Government says it will continue to negotiate with ASUU in spite of Wednesday’s court ruling restraining the union from continuing with its seventh-month strike.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja ordered the striking lecturers to return to the classroom following a suit filed by the Federal Government.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, made the Federal Government’s position known when he hosted visiting members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics.

“The court ruling does not preclude us from going on with further negotiation and consultations,’’ he said.

ASUU began its strike to demand that the Federal Government revisits some agreements signed between them in 2009 and also to improve on varsity funding and payment of earned allowances.

The lecturers also want the Federal Government to shelve its Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in paying lecturers’ salaries.

The Federal Government uses the IPPIS platform to pay its employees.

They demanded that rather than its IPPIS, the government should adopt the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, the payment platform designed by the universities themselves to pay lecturers.

The minister told his visitors that the Industrial Court’s ruling was in the best interest of Nigeria and its people.

According to him, the ruling is a win-win for the government, students, lecturers and for all Nigerians.

“It is a no victor, no vanquished.

“You doctors in academics are for now members of ASUU, but you are here; even though you have dissociated yourselves and you are working.

“We want to thank you for working and teaching your students,’’ the minister said.

He noted that pro-chancellors of universities had met with President Muhammadu Buhari and made some demands that included topping up the government’s offer and seeing whether there could be some bailout.

Ngige added that the president had assured that he would consult with stakeholders on the request.

The minister also commended the House of Representatives for intervening in the ASUU imbroglio.

Ngige said that he was happy that the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila also assured that principal officers of the House would meet with President Buhari over the strike.

He explained that whatever money would be approved to meet some of the demands would go into the 2023 budget.

“Since the House has shown interest now, it is good and wonderful. When they bring that proposal, the Executive will not have any problem.

“ASUU should also know that this is a step in the right direction. All these things have been promised to them by the Minister of Education at their last meeting.

“For me, they should do the needful and go back to the classroom,’’ the minister said.

Ngige said the government would soon direct vice-chancellors to reopen the universities in compliance with the order of the court.

Katsina: Girls Excelled Over Boys In 2021 WASSCE, Commissioner Reveals

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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The Katsina State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Badamasi Lawal, has said that female students performed better than their male counterpart in the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

Lawal made this known at the official closing ceremony of the Girl Education Project (GEP-III) on Thursday in Katsina.

He noted that this was recorded as a result of the commitment of the government to empower girls in the state, through various educational programmes.

According to him, in 2021, 18,321 students sat for the WASSCE and the state government paid the examination fee for all the candidates.

“Out of which 10,441 were male, while the female students were 7,880. But wonderfully, the results indicated that 4,627 of the female students scored credit in English language, which is 58.7 per cent.

“From the 10,441 male students, only 5,632 scored credit in English language, which is 54 per cent, this means the girls scored higher than the boys in English language.

“In Mathematics, the girls also performed higher than the boys, because 5,678 of them scored credits, while only 4,726 of the boys, scored credits.

“Because the number of the girls that sat for the examination was lower than that of the boys, the boys scored 58 per cent while the girls scored 53 per cent, which is also higher.

“Five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, out of the total number mentioned above, 4,247 among the girls scored credit, that is 56 per cent, as against the males who scored only 48 per cent,” he said.

According to him, the aim of the project in the state is to increase access to education among girl- children, improve teacher capacity and competency, as well as strengthening of the system.

He noted that all the activities mentioned had been achieved in the state, through the support of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

“No doubt the intervention has improved the girl child education in Katsina State.

I want to showcase the evidence of this improvement, by making a presentation of the 2021 WASSCE results.

“It will show you that the presence of UNICEF in the state has done very well in improving girl child education,” the commissioner said.

According to him, in 2021, 18,321 students sat for the WASSCE examination, and the state government paid the examination fee for all the candidates.

“Out of which 10,441 were male, while the female students were 7,880. But wonderfully, the results indicated that 4,627 of the female students scored credit in English language, which is 58.7 per cent.

“From the 10,441 male students, only 5,632 scored credit in English language, which is 54 per cent, this means the girls scored higher than the boys in English language.

“In mathematics, the girls also performed higher than the boys, because 5,678 of them scored credit, while only 4,726 boys scored credit.

“Because the number of the girls that sat for the examination was lower than that of the boys, the boys scored 58 per cent while the girls scored 53 per cent, which is also higher.

“Five credits including mathematics and English, out of the total number mentioned above, 4,247 among the girls scored credit that is 56 per cent, as against the males who scored only 48 per cent.” He said.

The Commissioner attributed the success to the intervention of UNICEF through its various programmes under the GEP-3 project in the state.

Enugu Govt Trains 7800 Secondary School Teachers

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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At least 7,800 secondary school teachers in Enugu State are currently undergoing training in contemporary teaching skills organised by the State Government.

The Executive Chairman, Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), Dr Favour Ugwuanyi, said this while declaring the workshop open on Thursday in Enugu.

Ugwuanyi said that the training was meant to build the capacity of the teachers and improve the quality of education in the state.

She said that the teachers were drawn from Nsukka, Obollo Afor, Awgu, Enugu, Udi and Agbani zones.

She said that the training centred specifically on leadership skills, conflict management and use of technological tools.

She also said that the training would equip the participants to adapt to modern day educational system and good parenting.

Ugwuanyi also said that the exercise would further help to improve the performance of the students in the state.

According to her, the zeal and commitment from the teachers made Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to approve the training for them.

“At the end of the workshop, the board is expected to have better teachers that will discharge their duties efficiently and enjoy their profession, passionately,” she said.

The state PPSMB boss also said that the workshop would be used to conduct physical verification aimed at fishing out ghost teachers.

She said that the last head count in the state took place in 2019.

She said that the exercise would help the government to properly identify those that were still in service.

She congratulated the teachers for the brilliant performance of a student from Udi Zone, who emerged the overall best in the 2022 West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) result in the country.

She attributed the feat to the regular evaluation and monitoring exercise embarked upon by the board, in addition to the encouragement by the state government.

“They are not owed salary and promotions are given to qualified teachers without delay, which have helped to motivate the teachers,” Ugwuanyi said.

In a remark, the governor said that the government was considering rural allowance for teachers in rural areas to boost their morale.

He urged teachers to shun absenteeism because of its negative impact on both the students and state.

He warned that his administration would no longer tolerate the habit amongst teachers.

The governor, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Religious Matters, Bishop Chinedu Nwoye, encouraged them to do more for the state.

Campus Shooting: YABATECH Beefs Up Security Architecture

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) says the security architecture of the institution has been beefed up with the presence of the police to complement its internal security unit.

The Deputy of Public Relations, Joe Ejiofor, said this against the backdrop of the Sept.15 shooting incident in the college that led to the death of a male HND1 Graphics student.

The shooting, suspected to have been carried out by cult members, had caused panic among students.

Ejiofor, who described the death as painful, told the News men on Friday that the news came as a rude shock.

“In spite the recent sad incident that recorded the death of a student, the college management is still committed to its duty of safeguarding lives and properties of staffers and students on campus.

“These and other proactive measures are being put in place to ensure that similar shooting incident does not happen again.

“The death of the young boy is a very sad one, we don’t have information as to what led to the shooting that resulted to the unpleasant development but the police are on top of it.

“I am optimistic that when they are done with their investigation, they will oblige necessary information to the public.

“However, the college has zero tolerance for vices or immoral traits that can trigger violence,” he said.

The YABATECH official noted that a compulsory orientation programme was usually organised at the beginning of every academic session for new intakes.

According to him, the essence of this orientation is to let the students be in tune with the rules and regulations.

This, he said, trickles down to the schools and departments in the college.

Ejiofor said that violators of the college rules as spelt out would be sanctioned appropriately as part of discipline and a warning measure for other students on campus.

The College Deputy Registrar appealed to parents and guardians to keep watch on their wards.

He said some of the students were leaving home for the first time and needed to be constantly monitored.

“It is not out of place for parents to pay unscheduled visits to their children in school to see first-hand how they live, although the orientation we organise every session has also served this purpose.

“As a responsible and responsive management, the lives of our students are very paramount.

“We will continue to ensure law and order reigns in the college, so that the safety of our staff and students are collectively assured,” he said.

Ejiofor said the college frowned at cultism, drug abuse, prostitution, examination malpractice and other immortal activities.

We Are Not Recruitment Yet, OYOSUBEB Warns Public Over False Exercise

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), on Friday warned the public, especially the job seekers, against falling victims of scammers over purported recruitment exercise for 2022.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Adeniran gave the warning in a statement by Olamide Adeniji, Head, Media Team, OYOSUBEB, on Friday in Ibadan.

Adeniran advised job seekers to be wary of fraudsters parading their social media platforms and websites as recruitment platforms for the state government.

According to him, when all procedures have been completed, the Board will formally come on air to let intending applicants know.

Adeniran also said that the Board would always carry out its genuine recruitment exercise through due process, “and not through the social media or any unofficial website”.

He said that the purported advertisements did not in any way emanate from the Board, nor from any Oyo State Government representative.

“The attention of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board has been drawn to a false advertisement purporting an ongoing recruitment exercise of the Board for the year 2022 on some social media platforms and websites.

“The Board, hereby informs the general public that there are no such online recruitment as portrayed by the websites.

“The Board will recruit and procedures for recruitment are being put in place.

When this is completed, we will formally announce to the public.

“We hereby advise the general public against downloading any form online or paying anyone for any recruitment.

“Applicants should, also beware of fraudsters parading their websites as recruitment platforms for the council.

“The Board, when recruiting, will advertise through due process, including using the National tabloids and not through any other website,” Adeniran said.

He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on some school projects in the state.

Adeniran said that the multi-billion naira projects initiated to enhance the educational development in the state were already over-stretching its time-lapse.

The board chairman, who raised the concern at a meeting with the defaulting contractors in Ibadan, said that government would not hesitate to terminate the projects of any contractors who breached the contractual agreement.

He said that majority of the projects were awarded by the past administration.

A B U Trains 104 Staff on Sustainable Procurement Management

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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The Sustainable Procurement Environment and Social Standards Enhancement Centre of Excellence (SPESSECE), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has trained 104 staff on Sustainable Procurement Management.

The Communications Officer, SPESSECE ABU, Amina Aminu, made this known in a statement issued on Friday in Zaria.

She said that the participants were drawn from departments and units of the university.

Aminu said the training was aimed at developing the sustainable capacity in managing Procurement, Environment and Social standards (PES) in the public, private and academic sectors.

She added that the training was aimed at enhancing the quality and efficiency of social service delivery in the country.

According to her, SPESSCE is an 80 million dollars World Bank capacity building project targeted at sustainably enhancing capacity, developing and implementing curricular for PES in Nigeria by offering professionalism in a sustainable manner.

“The cornerstone for SPESSCE implementation is to create Centres of Excellence (CE) in Nigerian universities to deliver a series of capacity building tracks in a sustainable manner in PES,’’ she said.

Aminu quoted one of the participants, Aliyu Alhaji, as commending the centre for all training arrangements made and attested that the training was impactful.

The participant further commended the Federal Government and National Universities Commission (NUC) for the initiative, expressing optimism that it will lead to national development.

Nigeria Explore Ways to Showcase Corps Members Cultural Talents

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says the ministry and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will explore avenues to showcase the cultural talents of corps members.

He gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja, while closing the 2022 Annual NYSC Sports and Cultural Festival.

The festival has “Sustaining the Gains of Sports Development and Socio-Cultural Integration through Conscious Exploration and Promotion of Skills and Talents of the Youth” as its theme.

Mohammed, who was the special guest of honour was represented by the Director, Entertainment and Creative Service, Ugochi Nwosu.

The minister said it was heartwarming to see the youths showcasing abundant talent especially as many of them do not belong to the ethnic communities of the culture they have showcased.

“This has therefore reinforced my confidence in the ability of our young men and women to imbibe positive values and norms and project the good image of Nigeria both at home and abroad.

”He congratulated the winners of various categories of the competition for the feats achieved.

“It is my hope and desire that you will continue to support our strides to promote the Nigerian culture and the creative industry through avenues such as this one provided by the NYSC.

“I wish to assure you that the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture will continue to support NYSC towards the success of this festival.

“We also will work with the scheme with a view to exploring additional avenues for the exposure of the talents of these corps members including opportunities to stage performances during national programmes.

“I urge well meaning Nigerians, public and private sector organisations to give their support towards the continuous improvement of this festival especially through their corporate social responsibility.

”Mohammed also called on movie and music producers to help in harnessing the potential of the corps members through mentorship and assignment of roles and contracts.

He, however, encouraged the corps members to avail themselves of the opportunity for rewarding careers in the entertainment and creative industry.

The Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Muhammad Fadah, said the festival remains a sustained medium for the promotion of the nation’s cultural heritage.

He said the theme of the 2022 edition was apt given the fact that the nation’s cultural diversities were great assets that should strengthen rather than divide it.

“Apart from exposing the abundant talents of corps members in dance, comedy, acting and directing among others, the festival provides further opportunities for interaction and cross-cultural appreciations by our youths.

“However, this is thereby, contributing towards the sustaining unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

“As you may be aware, one of the hallmarks of the national service is the effective integration of corps members into their host communities.

“This largely accounts for their ability to stage dances and songs that are indigenous to communities away from their ethnic and geographical zones as seen in the last three days.

“In essence, irrespective of our ethnic, religious and social backgrounds, we can build a united and prosperous nation through our shared values, spirit of patriotism and collective will,’’ Fadah said.

He also commended the corps members for their display of unimaginable creativity in drama, comedy and dance, adding that they can become stars in the entertainment industry.

The Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Abdulrazak Salawu, said the NYSC had demonstrated that Nigeria’s multi-ethnic and cultural diversity could be adequately harnessed through the festival.

“The various events have proven to be a vehicle of social mobilisation, promotion of diverse cultural expressions, and preservation of Nigeria’s cherished traditions through galvanisation of the talents and skills of its youths.

“It has great potential to building a virile and united Nigeria that Nigerians will be proud of.’’

The festival was instituted in 1984 following management’s decision to use dance and drama as tools to further entrench and deepen the objectives of the scheme.

Lagos Govt Commits To Upscale Education, Technology

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 23, 2022

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The Lagos State Ministry of Education says the state government will continue to foster essential partnerships to upscale implementation of its third pillar ‘Themes’ agenda, on ‘Education and Technology’.

The State Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo said this in her keynote address at the formal launch of Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).

It was done in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) in Ikeja on Wednesday.

“The present government is driven by Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s uncommon political will, he is passionate about huge investment and partnership which will enhance socio-economic growth as an intervention to bridge the knowledge gap,” she said.

The idea, according to her, is to bridge the gap and reach out, creating chance for every child in the state to do well.

“It will be a leading factor if we are able to ensure that our children are well educated, able to hold themselves globally and work anywhere,” Adefisayo said.

The Commissioner expressed delight over the initiative, thanking UNICEF for NLP.

She said that she was more particular about sustainability of the project.

According to her, the state is willing to take ownership of the project, as there is no better time to launch it than now’.

Earlier, Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of Lagos Office, UNICEF and Generation Unlimited Nigeria Lead, said that Learning Passport is an effective tool that can be deployed to accelerate state education reform.

Lafoucriere said it was fundamental for young people to be equipped with skills and opportunities which would transform Nigeria.

“We need governments like Lagos State to take ownership whilst UNICEF commits to engaging young people on GenU 9JA to leverage innovation, widen models of cooperation and ensure private sector collaboration.

“With platforms such as Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), and public-private-youth partnership supporting young Nigerians, transition from learning to earning will be achieved, UNICEF is delighted to support the NLP,” she added.

Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Abayomi Abolaji commended UNICEF for complementing what the state had already started, adding that out-of-school children could also learn.

Abolaji, however, appealed to school administrators, teachers and students to take advantage of the NLP initiative

He said that learning should not be confined to the four walls of a school alone.

“We commend the sterling contributions of our frontline partner, UNICEF in ensuring that learning continues even when children are not within a school structure,” he said.

The Learning Passport is a digital learning platform developed in partnership with UNICEF and Microsoft.

It is an education model designed to close learning poverty gap with a focus on equitable quality and flexible learning. It also enables continuous access to education for children, youth and teachers across Nigeria.