UNICEF Urges FG To Remove Barriers Creating Out-of-school Children

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September 20, 2022

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has advised the Nigerian government to address barriers responsible for the increasing number of out-of-school children in the country.

UNICEF’s Country Representative to Nigeria, Peter Hawkins said this in a special interview programme, in Abuja.

Hawkins identified poverty, proximity to school, and inadequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, among others, as factors hindering retention in school and the completion of education in the country.

According to him, one of the biggest problems is the reduction of the number of schools from basic to post-basic level, especially for the girls.

“What you find is a village where the schools are full of girls and boys, and it is incredible, it is fantastic.

“But immediately they have to go to junior secondary education, you see a massive drop in enrollment and going to school.

“Because of security concerns, distance concerns, there’s poverty concern and so on and so forth…

“Two: the issue of access to quality education. You see, it is in many communities, especially the rural communities. Can they afford to let the children go to school?

“Now, Nigeria is very good at its free education; basic education is free for all. But it is the transport to the school (that is an issue). When you get to the schools, there’s the uniform; whether it is the books and all of these unintended consequences that are all costs that are there.

“So, we need to find how to reduce those barriers, making the school closer to the villages is an obvious way.

“The third is that many rural communities don’t have the means to sustain their children,” he said.

The UNICEF official said many parents in rural areas have resolved to sending their children to towns with the hope that they would get better learning.

He also identified the menace of Almajiri (pupil of non-formal Qur’anic school) in parts of the country as one of the reasons for the increasing number of out-of-school children.

“And we know that the phenomenon of the Almajiri in different parts of the country has perpetrated a vast number of children who are out-of-school, who are learning, but not the full scope of the learning.

“Spiritual learning is fantastic, and we should encourage it. But it needs to be complemented with numeracy and literacy to ensure that the child has it in the right environment,” Hawkins said.

NYSC Begins 2022 Annual Sports, Cultural Festival

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 20, 2022

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The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has kick started its annual Sports Festival for 2022 on Monday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital with Corps Members from different states participating in football, athletics, dance, drama, comedy among other competitions.

In a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations of NYSC, Mr Eddy Megwa, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello while declaring the festival open commended the NYSC Management for organizing the festival.

Bello also commended the state contingents for their efforts while at the preliminary stage of the event which qualified them for the finals.

He said the NYSC has remained focused on its mandate of mobilizing and training youths for leadership roles as well as promotion of patriotic values.

He added that sports remain a patent force for the promotion of national unity, while his administration would continue to accord the necessary priority to the sector, urging NYSC not to relent in its efforts.

The Minister, who was represented at the ceremony by the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Hadiza Mohammed Kabir said the cultural segment of the festival would also showcase the strength in the country’s diversities.

“I appeal to stakeholders in the public and private sector to continue to support the NYSC so as to enhance the gains of this annual event“, the Minister said.

He promised the continued support of the FCT Administration to the Scheme through welfare, security of Corps Members including the upgrading of facilities at the NYSC FCT Orientation Camp for the smooth running of its operations.

NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Muhammad Kaku Fadah said since the introduction of the festival, the focus has been on complementing Federal Government’s efforts in the development of the sports sector.

He disclosed that the cultural segment is aimed at developing the zeal of youths to promote and preserve the Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

“We are focusing on grooming the Corps Members to pursue gainful careers in the sports and entertainment industry.

Similarly, the NYSC National Football Club has been a platform for development of talents of Corps Members in soccer, while at the same time serves as additional avenue for the promotion of national unity and integration”, the DG said.

He appealed to football and other sports federations, club owners as well as stakeholders in entertainment industry to help in further harnessing the talents of Corps Members by giving them opportunities for gainful careers in their fields of endeavours.

The DG also called on individuals and organisations to patronize the NYSC National Cultural Troupe, whose members are always at their best during performances.

General Fadah advised the Corps Members that the various competitions at the festival should be considered as a friendly contest by members of the same family.

‘l enjoin you to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and be strictly guided by the rules. You are expected to exhibit maturity and high sense of discipline as well as respect all umpires and other officials for the overall success of the competitions”, DG said.

The Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Salawu in his address said the NYSC Sports and Cultural Festival dates back to over forty years where Corps Members were given rooms to showcase their talents in the sports segment which include football, volleyball and athletics.

He added that the festival has remained an ensuring vehicle through which Corps talents and potentials are explored to promote national unity and enhancement of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

The Chairman, NYSC National Governing Board, Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar who was represented by Binta Muazu in her goodwill message said the introduction of NYSC Sports and Cultural Festival has produced talents from within the Corps Members making them national and international champions and providing them opportunities to become actors, producers and celebrities.

“The NYSC National Governing Board shall continue to support the Management in introducing programmes and activities that would further strengthen the gains of this initiative”, she said.

Federal Government Set To Review Workers’ Pay

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 20, 2022

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The Nigerian Government says it is working towards pay adjustments for workers to meet the present economic realities.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige stated this in Abuja at the Public presentation of a book by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC to mark its 40th birthday.

Ngige said that the Government was very much aware that the N30,000 National Minimum Wage had depreciated.

“Yes the inflation has increased worldwide and it is not confined to Nigeria that is why in many jurisdiction, it is an adjustment of wages right now.

“We as the Nigerian government, we shall adjust in confirmative with what is happening in wages.

“More importantly, the 2019 National Minimum Wage Act, right now has a clause for the review, which we started then, I do not know whether it is due next year or 2024. But before then, the adjustment of wages will reflect what is happening in the economy, just as government has started the adjustment with the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU,” he said.

ASUU Strike

On why he opted to take ASUU to the Industrial Court over the lecturers prolonged strike, the Minister explained that the Nigerian Government did not take ASUU to court over the prolonged strike of the union as some people claimed.

He said that he would have failed in his duties if he did not refer the matter to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN after seven months of protracted discussions and negotiations with the Union, which failed.

He recalled that ASUU was at the stage of Collective Bargaining CBA negotiation with their employers, the Federal Ministry of Education when they embarked on strike.

He said that Nigeria is respected in International Labour Organisation, ILO, that “some people said Federal Government took ASUU to court, no I referred the matter after seven months of protracted discussions and negotiations that failed.

“Some people are saying 2009 agreement. The 2009 agreement has been renegotiated in 2013/2014 with the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. It is an anathema to use 2009 agreement.

“What is left is the renegotiation of their conditions of service, which is their right. It should be done but they are negotiating it under the principle of offer and acceptance and it broke down irretrievably there at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“That kick-started Section 17 of the Trade Dispute Act whereby the Minister of Labour and Employment, whoever it is, if you don’t transmit according to the dictates of Section 17, TDA, 2004, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

“This means you would have failed in your function. Therefore, I had to transmit,” he said.

The Minister also said the transmission did not mean that the matter could not be settled out of Court.

He said either of the parties involved; the Federal Ministry of Education and ASUU could approach the NICN for out of court settlement.

He maintained that Nigeria must be guided by laws and nobody should use the dispute to “harass anybody”.

In an interview, the former Minster of Labour and Employment, Emeka Wogu, said that the action taken by the Minister by referring the matter to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria was done in accordance with the law.

He called on the Nigerian Government and ASUU to find a meeting point to resolve the dispute in the interest of the students and the nation.

He stressed that education was the bedrock of development in any society and everything needed should be done to protect its sanctity.

Minister Sunday Dare Seeks Review Of PHE Curriculum

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 20, 2022

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Minister of Sports, Youth and Social Development, Sunday Dare, has urged tertiary institutions to review and update the curriculum for the training of physical health educators towards harnessing the entrepreneurial opportunities in sports.

The minister spoke during the 50th National Conference of National Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD), with the theme: Business Potentials and Tapping in the Profession of Physical, Health Education Recreation, Sports and Dance, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The minister said the draft National Sports Industry Policy the ministry developed in collaboration with Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has re-classified sports from recreation to business.

Dare, who was represented by the Director General of the National Institute for Sports, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, said the intent of the policy was to turn sport into a vehicle for empowerment, development and growth through sports industrialisation agenda.

The minister described sports as a big-time business with many entrepreneurial opportunities to explore in the areas of selling and marketing of (products, rights and services) and running gym/fitness centres.

Other areas, he said, include sports media, sports equipment manufacturing, sport clubs and consultancy services, among others.

Dare, who restated the commitment of the government to provide an enabling environment, urged tertiary institutions to tailor their curriculum in line with new trends in the sector.

President of the NAPHER-SD, Prof. Rafiu Okuneye, said the theme of the conference was a wake-up call which the association believed in and keyed into.

“Through this forum, the association would enhance the propagation that sports is business, recreation is business and dance is business. The time to identify and explore all business potentials in our profession is now,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, said physical education was one of the disciplines with numerous job opportunities such as teaching, sports coaching, sports management and exercise science, among others.

Bala, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Prof. Danladi Ameh, said there was a need for a transparent and credible manner to engage the private sector to collaborate, ensure deliverables to the practitioners in the sector.

The Chairman of the National Institute for Sports, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, also urged the association to redouble effort and work closely with state governments toward reviving sports in primary and secondary schools.

“We used to have Physical Education and later physical health education, but this component of education is almost gone in schools.

“Go to our primary and secondary schools, you will not see facilities for physical education or physical health education classes.

“I think this association has a role to play in bringing this lost glory back to the schools,” Galadima said.

Nigeria’s Industrial Court To Rule On Suit Against ASUU, Wednesday

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 20, 2022

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The National Industrial Court in Nigeria has fixed Wednesday, 21 September 2022 to decide on an application by the Nigerian government seeking the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resume work while awaiting the decision of the court on their ongoing strike.

The Court on Monday began hearing on an application by the Nigerian Government seeking that the University lecturers resume work.

Justice Polycarp Hamman fixed the date after the lead counsel to the Nigerian Government, Mr James Igwe, argued his application seeking an order of the court restraining ASUU from further continuing with the nationwide strike.

He also, ruled against a preliminary objection by ASUU noting that the Court is meant to hear the application by the government.

The judge set aside the application by ASUU through its counsel, Femi Falana, opposing to the Court’s hearing of the Federal Government’s application.

The Court further noted that the preliminary objection was not yet ripe for hearing, adding that the rule of the Court has provision to hear both the preliminary objection alongside the main suit.

Counsel to the Nigerian Government James Igwe argued that Section 18(1)E of the Trade Disputes Act provides that employees cannot be on strike when a matter is before the Industrial Court.

The Nigerian government had approached the court to challenge the ongoing industrial action by the university lecturers.

ASUU President, Osodeke Backs NANS Protests

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 20, 2022

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have backed the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on its demands before the federal government and its ongoing protest over the lingering ASUU strike.

National President, ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in an interview with newsmen commended the students for fighting for their rights.

He said, “We commend NANS members for fighting for their rights. It is their right. The pro-chancellors are doing well too. We hope the government will listen to them because they (pro-chancellors) understand what is happening in the Nigerian universities,” he said.

The ASUU president added that the union will meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday.

The NANS protest comes on the heels of the ongoing strike by the members of ASUU.

NANS had hinted on Sunday that it will ground major highways including the Lagos international airports on Monday (today).

The student body coordinator, Zone D, Adegboye Olatunji, who confirmed the development noted that the Lagos airport would be the first among the airports to be grounded by the students.

Meanwhile, men of the Lagos State Police Command, Lagos Airport Police Command were heavily on ground as the students protest the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin said, “Speaking from a position of confidence, everything is intact, and there is no threat on the airport or the airspace.

“However, the protesters who issued the threat are free to come out and see what awaits them. We, however, urge law-abiding Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of intimidation or harassment.”

The airport police command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ojelade, also said, “Our men have been on standby since Friday, so nobody is folding arms to watch the students disrupt aviation activities.

“They can’t enter the airport; they can only block the entrance to the airport. Whoever is travelling will know how to bypass them and enter the airport. No airline is on strike, so, they will attend to their passengers. Nobody can ground flight operations, they have been warned.”

ASUU Reacts To IMSU Resumption Directive

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 20, 2022

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Monday dismissed resumption notices by University authorities directing students to appear for lectures amidst the seven months old strike.

The union said its strike remain unshakeable as those institutions were still under lock and key.

The Vice President of ASUU and its former branch chairman at the University of Jos, Dr. Chris Piwuna, said these in an interview with The Punch.

He was reacting to the announcement by Public Relations Officer of Imo State University, Owerri, Ralph Njoku, that it had pulled out of the ASUU nationwide strike and consequently asked its students and staff members to resume school on Tuesday, September 20.

According to him, IMSU had decided to pull out of the lingering strike in the interest of the students and staff of the institution.

“Yes. It is true. We have asked students to resume immediately. Lectures start on Tuesday. We are doing this in the best interest of our students and staff. We are not only pulling out of the ASUU strike but also asking everyone to return to school”, he said.

But Piwuna mocked the Universities saying ASUU would remain unshaken.

He said, “I don’t know why these people will never learn their lesson. Is the PRO of the University a member of our union? Does he have the mandate to speak for our members? Did we consult with him or his VC (Vice Chancellor) before we embarked on the action? They are incurable interlopers.

“Let us hear from our branch chairperson. Let them not waste the time of our students and parents.

“They said the same thing about Gombe State University, Yobe State University, Kaduna State University, and the rest. Those institutions are still under lock and key. Our strike is unshakeable.

“Our members remain resilient and single-minded about our overall goal to rescue our public Universities from the clutches of the neo-liberal, neo-colonialist.”

ASUU: Imo Varsity Pulls Out, Opens for Academic Session

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 20, 2022

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The management of the Imo state university, IMSU, on Monday pulled out from the almost ongoing seven months strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and announced that it has opened the university for academic activities.

The management made this known to newsmen in Owerri, through the IMSU, Public Relations Officer, PRO, Ralph Njoku.

According to him, it was the decision taken by the management that should they continue to delay that the school would lose so many students who are desirous of education especially applicants who were yet to be matriculated.

However, he said that the school has no issue with ASSU and that the decision was to prevent any action to shortchange the next generation.

According to him, “The management has decided to open the university for academic activities. We don’t have any issue with ASUU we just open the school for academic activities. Lecturers who are willing will now come to start lecturing.

“We decided that we don’t want to shortchange our next generation. Just like the 2022 applicants, we have not even matriculated them and we are coming up with 2022/2023 if we keep delaying we will lose so many people who are desirous of University education. So, we felt it is time to hold the bull by the horn.”

JAMB Conducts Supplementary 2022 UTME For 67 Candidates

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 19, 2022

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The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has set Saturday, September 24, 2022, as the date for 67 candidates who registered for the 2022 UTME but were unable to take the exam or the recently concluded Mop-Up UTME due to a variety of difficulties, to take their examination at specially designated centers.

It would be recalled that after the 2022 UTME, the Board had reviewed the entire exercise and those candidates with biometric challenges were given the opportunity of sitting a mop-up examination.

JAMB Head, of Public Affairs and Protocol, Fabian Benjamin, who disclosed this on sunday, also announced that since the conduct of a mop-up examination is a stopgap measure, it would not be allowed to be a permanent feature of its calendar.

“Therefore, any candidate presenting any strange challenge(s) would have to indicate or declare such peculiarities at the point of registration for them to be given special consideration and allocated to centres within its National Headquarters, Abuja, for close monitoring as the Board had phased out the conduct of mop-up examinations.

“However, in spite of the discovery of a series of suspicious challenges presented by some candidates, the Board has, on account of its avowed commitment to equity and fairness, scheduled another set of 67 candidates to sit the examination at designated centres, under close scrutiny of the Board.

He noted that the decision to give the candidates the unusual opportunity is to ensure that no single innocent candidate is punished unjustly.

“These 67 candidates are, therefore, urged to print their supplementary examination notification slips from Monday, 19th September 2022, to know the centres where they would be sitting the examination.

NANS’ Protest: Sowore Joins At Lagos Airport

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 19, 2022

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The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has, Monday, joined Nigerian students in protest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Sowore, while at the protest, said it was important for the students to intensify their action saying, “this is your struggle.”

The students, who seemed happy to see Sowore at their protest, cheered him and allowed him to address them.

“I am a comrade and I remain a comrade forever, anything you need from us, let us know, but this is your struggle.

“Nigerian students delivered independence to Nigeria in 1960, after this, they hijacked it and started using it against us. Nigerian students delivered the democracy we have today in in 1999, but when they flog people, it is the same us that they flog,” Sowore said.

He urged drivers, traders and well-meaning Nigerians to support the students’ struggle.

The students, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, are protesting the prolonged strike action of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The students held banners bearing inscriptions such as: “No nation can develop without genuine commitment to education,” and “If you have money for election form, you can fund education.”

They caused traffic around the airport amid the presence of a combined team of officers the Lagos State Police Command, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos Airport Police Command, and other security agencies.