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ASUU Kicks As Federal Govt. Excludes State Universities on Pay Rise

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The industrial dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities may worsen following the insistence of the Federal Ministry of Education that its proposed agreement with the union will not be binding on state universities.

The spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong , in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday, explained that the Federal Government could not dictate to states on education as it is on the concurrent legislative list.

A committee led by the Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof. Nimi Briggs, had reportedly recommended a 180 per cent pay rise for lecturers, but the government was said to have favoured a 100 per cent increase.

It was gathered that the ministries of finance, education, labour and employment, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission were still working out the final details of the proposal.

The ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, insisted that any agreement reached with the Federal Government would be binding on the states, thus opening another battle front between the union and the government.

Members of ASUU, including federal and state universities, had embarked on a strike on February 14, 2022.

Following the inability of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige to resolve the strike, President Muhammdu Buhari, two weeks ago directed the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to take over the negotiation with the ASUU leadership.

To compel a quick resolution of the crisis, the Nigeria Labour Congress held nationwide protests on July 26 and 27 in solidarity with the union.

However, ASUU on Monday extended the industrial action by another four weeks.

Responding to a question on whether the proposed agreement would be binding on all universities in the country, Goong said, “The agreement between the Federal Government is not binding on state universities. Education is on the concurrent list, the Federal Government cannot tell states what to do when it comes to the management of their institutions.

“Any agreement made with ASUU is only binding on the institutions owned by the Federal Government. The state government will handle their own institutions.”

Reacting to the government’s position, the ASUU president stated that the university system is a single entity, arguing further that there was no disparity between state and federal universities.

Osodeke said, “I don’t know who you spoke to but that person doesn’t know what he is saying. I can tell you that the renegotiation team is made up of pro-chancellors of state and federal universities. So, how can anyone say the agreement won’t be binding on state universities? The person doesn’t know what he is saying.”

The ASUU leader contended that the few institutions that did not join in the strike were not their members.

He also warned that Nigeria had just one university system and as such the issue of salary is personal to the union.

Osodeke stated, ‘‘Whenever ASUU is on strike, it is not about state ASUU or federal ASUU. We have one ASUU representing all universities in the country; those schools that are not participating in the strike are not our members.

‘‘The issue of salary should be left to the union to decide because when there was minimum wage adjustment, both federal and state schools were a part of it; even TETFund, it funds both state and federal institutions. Do we have a federal NUC or state NUC?

‘’The issue of salary negotiation is exclusive to the union. If a state can increase it, good; but we have one university system in Nigeria, and the state cannot even pay lesser than what the Federal Government is paying.’’

Kano Executive Council Approves N377m For Agricultural School Fund

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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The Kano State Executive Council has approved N377.3 million as 2017-2020 outstanding counterpart funds for the Leventis Foundation and Kano State Agricultural Training School, Panda.

The state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly meeting held at the council Chamber, Government House, Kano.

He said the school, which was established in 1988, has so far trained and graduated over 2, 700 youths in crops, livestock and fisheries value chains across the state.

He said the programme of the school is in line with the Agricultural Transformation Programme, which equally go in line with the state’s policy of trust in agriculture.

Garba pointed out that despite the non-receipt of the fund, the programmes and activities of the school are still ongoing including staff salaries and operation standards.

The commissioner also announced that the council has approved the upward review of operative rates in the construction of two-coat surface dressed road network at NNDC Quarters, Sharada, awarded at the cost of N48.5 million, which was revised to the tune of N105.6 million.

The council, he said, also received a progress report for the month of May, this year on the construction of Muhammadu Buhari Interchange at NNPC mega Station Rotary Intersection, Hotoro, along Maiduguri Road in the metropolis.

He revealed that the project, which has reached 70 per cent completion stage, was awarded at the cost of N8.9 billion out of which N6.013 billion had so far been paid to the contractor handling the project.

He stated that the council has also approved the implementation of the 2022 budget for the state Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, totalling the sum of N6, 891, 011, 898.85 billion.

The commissioner also said that the council approved the review of composition of members of the Kano state Council of Emirs made up of 21 members to include representatives of the security organisations.

Garba announced that the council has given approval for the renaming of Girls Science and Technical College Gwarmai to Hajiya Mariya Sunusi Dantata, mother of re-known businessman, Aliko Dangote, following a request from the Committee on Education and Elders in Bebeji local government, in view of her son’s contribution to the development of education.

Other approvals by the council include ratifications for approvals for the award of contracts for the construction of two roads at Tumfafi town in Dawakin Tofa local government; approval for the construction of two cell RC box culverts as flood control measures at Airport by Katsina Road Roundabout; approval for the procurement of firefighting operational vehicles.

Garba further revealed other ratifications by the council include award of contract for the construction of Kwanar Garin Ali-Garin Ali Road in Garko local government; contract for the supply of water treatment chemicals in 2021.

Rwanda Govt. Increases Salaries of Primary School Teachers By 88%

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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As part of Rwanda’s Government incentives aimed at improving teachers’ livelihoods in the country, Primary school teachers will get an 88% pay rise starting in August.

Under these new revisions, secondary school teachers will also see their pay increased by 40%, the country’s education ministry announced on its official Twitter page on Monday, August 1.

The communique noted that the net salaries of certificate holders in the teaching profession which currently start at 50,849 FRW (Ksh.5,856) will go up to Ksh.11,010.

“The salaries for Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers, and support staff working in public and government-aided schools have also been revised upwards.

These decisions come into force from the payment of the teacher salaries of August 2022,” the statement added.

Whereas Rwanda has increased teachers’ salaries by 10% since March 2019, the country’s The New Times newspaper reports that over 1000 teachers leave their profession monthly in search of better welfare.

The new pay rise is part of a package that will incorporate incentives to improve the welfare of teachers and promote the quality of education in public and government-aided schools for general education and TVET.

Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate In Anambra Increases To 27%

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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The Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, says that the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state increased from 17 percent in 2018 to 27 percent in 2022.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Chioma Ezenyimulu, disclosed this at the opening of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week held at the Maternal and Child Health Centre, Amawbia in Awka.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated from August 1 to 7 every year to raise awareness and galvanise actions to promote exclusive breastfeeding. The theme for this year’s commemoration is, Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.

Ezenyimulu said that Anambra recorded an increase in the rate of exclusive breastfeeding due to intensified awareness and counselling programmes at health facilities.

Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said that the efforts of the current administration was geared towards the promotion of maternal and child survival strategies.

Obidike urged fathers to support their breastfeeding wives, as exclusive breastfeeding could be exhausting for mothers.

In his remarks, Dr. Moses Ohamaeme, Cluster Coordinator representing the World Health Organisation and United Nations agencies, said that exclusively breastfed children become healthy and productive adults.

According to him, such children are protected from severe complications arising from childhood killer diseases.

Tambuwal Encourages Mothers To Embrace Exclusive Breastfeeding

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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Sokoto State Governor’s wife, Mrs Mariya Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has urged mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding of babies to ensure healthy living at all times.

Mrs Tambuwal made the call at a symposium organized by an NGO, Alive and Thrive, in partnership with her pet project, Mariya Tambuwal Development Initiative (MTDI), to Mark the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week in Sokoto, with the theme, Step Up Breastfeeding: Educate and Support.

Mariya Tambuwal who was represented by the wife of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Asma’u Inname, urged mothers to consider first breast milk after child delivery, which serve as first Immunizations to new born baby.

She further called on mothers to ensure exclusive breastfeeding of the babies until after six months due to nutritional contents in the mothers’ breast milk.

“Breastfeeding a child up to six months, assist in effective development of a child’s intelligent Quotient (IQ),there by protects the child from various diseases.

“If a child is healthy the parents will always have rest of mind and have an improved living standard,” She explained.

She reiterated her organization’s commitment to partners, all relevant stakeholders including the government to provide more awareness to women across the State.

The Sokoto State Coordinator of Alive and Thrive, a Non Governmental Organization, Saratu Mu’azu, said the initiative was aimed at inculcating exclusive breastfeeding and other good habits among women.

Mu’azu said arrangement is also designed to extend the awareness programme on exclusive breastfeeding and other healthy habits to women especially at the grassroots.

Dr Nuhu Maishanu, the Chief Medical Director of Sokoto State Specialist Hospital, who represented Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Ali Inname, commended the organizers and assured continuous working partnership in order to achieve the desired results.

The representative of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mrs Ngozi Nwachukwu, commended the partners for making the event a reality.

Mrs Nwachukwu said the day was set aside by United Nations every first week of August, every year to sensitize mothers on the benefits of adopting exclusive breastfeeding to child health.

She said the organization would continue to provide all necessary support in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders to promote exclusive breastfeeding in the state.

In his remarks, the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar, urged government to take full ownership of breastfeeding Programmes in the state.

Umar also called on government to provide adequate awareness to assist in creating more awareness and education on breastfeeding.

BUA Cement Constructs Clinic, School For Host Community In Sokoto

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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BUA Cement Company has constructed and handed over Clinic and School projects worth N275 million to Gidan Boka community in Wamakko local government area of Sokoto State.

Handing over the projects, the Managing Director of BUA Cement, Yusuf Binji, said the projects along with 170 tonnes to 68 communities will go a long way in boosting healthcare and education in Wamakko local government area.

Mr Binji who was represented by Director Human Resources, Altine Wali, said the efforts was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

According to him, the efforts was among relocation of settlements by the company, noting that the company cleared lands in new Gidan Boka community, allocated lands to affected families.

The company’s Head, Administration and Corporate Services, Mr Sada Suleiman, said the company constructed roads, provided cemetery, water supply and electricity projects.

Mr Sada said the company ensured routine distribution of cement for communities to repairs mosque and others infrastructures as well as supply drugs and other consumables to citizen within the company’s host communities.

He added that BUA cement had been supporting communities in the areas of healthcare, skill training, provision of scholarship and educational materials.

He commended the state and local governments, as well as the host communities, for the cordial relationship with the company, which facilitated its intervention in various places.

According to him, the projects are to complement the efforts of Sokoto State Government in providing good living condition to the people.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of Wamakko LGA, Alhaji Halliru Guiwa, represented by the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Garba Muhammad, thanked the company for the intervention.

He said that the residents were lucky to have the company in their domain, in view of its contribution to infrastructure development in the area.

The Chairman however appealed for more supports in view of the population and the need of the residents.

Nigerian Government Plans N712bn Mortgage To Fund 100,000 Houses

By
Angel Gimalo
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The Federal Government says it is working to increase mortgages provided to contributors under the National Housing Fund to the tune of N712bn for the financing of about 100,000 housing units across the country.

It disclosed this at the inaugural Board and Management Retreat of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in Abuja, adding that efforts were on to deliver one million affordable homes to Nigerians under the National Housing Programme.

The Chairman, Board of Directors, FMBN, Ayodeji Gbeleyi, said the bank’s board had approved a strategy plan that would increase the amount of mortgages to be provided for the construction of houses for Nigerians.

He said, “In line with the mandate of the Federal Government to expand the housing sector in general and deepen the mortgage sub-sector in particular, the bank’s board approved a five-year strategy plan covering the period 2020-2024 with focus on certain key performance indicators.

“The KPIs include growing the National Housing Fund contributions from N49bn in 2018 to N285bn per annum, increase contributors from about 4.8 million in 2018 to 31.6 million in 2024, to finance a cumulative of 100,000 housing units and grow mortgages to N712bn in 2024.”

He said some of the measures being promoted towards achieving the targets of the five-year strategy plan included deepening mortgage penetration by facilitating access to homeownership, growing and diversifying funding mix through diversification of funding sources, among others.

Gbeleyi stated that in order to address the housing deficit in Nigeria, the Federal Government had initiated the National Housing Programme, adding that the NHP’s target was to provide millions of homes across the country.

Residents In Kaduna Gets 5.5Million Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets

By
Olasunbo Okoromi
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0

The Federal Ministry of Health, said it has distributed a total of 5,502,455 free insecticide treated mosquito nets to residents in Kaduna State.

The Director, Technical and Programme, Global Fund Malaria, Society for Family Health, John Ocholi, stated this while giving a breakdown report on the completion of the exercise, at Kaduna State Ministry of Health.

Ocholi said 5,509,778 mosquito nets were procured and received by the Kaduna State Government for the 2022 mass campaign, to be distributed to households across the state.

He said a total of 5,502,455 were distributed and 795 are still available and will be handed over to the state government.

He added that, with the distribution, they have recorded 99.9 percent success, with a total of 10,672,861 beneficiaries.

Voice of Nigeria reports that the distribution by Kaduna State Government in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, Society for Health and other support organizations, began July 7 to July 27.

Ocholi said during the exercise, monitoring and supervision was ensured by different cadres of monitors from the National, State, LGA and Ward levels.

According to him, lessons learnt during the exercise include, timely submission of personnel, listing is important to facilitate profiling of personnel on the CAT platform.

He appreciated the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, the State Net Ambassador, Commissioner for Health and other health officials for support given during the campaign.

The Commissioner of Health, Amina Mohammed Baloni, commended them for good teamwork and collaboration by supporting partners.

She said for the units that were not covered, the state government will look into it for solutions. She advised residents to utilise the mosquito nets given and not misuse it.

Iraqi Workers Get Day Off As Temperatures Pass 50C

By
Angel Gimalo
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State employees in many parts of Iraq have been given a day off work as temperatures rise to above 50C (122F) in several areas, local media report.

Several of the country’s cities topped the list of the hottest places in the world on Thursday.

As a result of the scorching heat, at least 10 provinces suspended work for most state employees, Kurdistan24 said.

A heatwave in the country has been ongoing since mid-July and is forecast to continue.

Burning heat is not unusual in Iraq, as one of the hottest places on Earth. But residents say conditions are worsening.

In the southern port of Basra, where temperatures are particularly high, a four-day holiday for state employees has begun.

Though offices are shut for many employees, many say they will continue to suffer as regular power cuts mean that air conditioning is often unavailable.

This year stifling dust storms have also increased, obstructing the sky and causing the suspension of services.

Heatwaves have become more frequent, more intense, and last longer because of human-induced climate change.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

Iraq has been ranked as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change in the Middle East by the UN.

Iceland Volcano Erupts Near Fagradalsfjall

By
Angel Gimalo
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A volcano erupted in Iceland near the capital Reykjavik on Wednesday, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said as live images on local media showed lava spewing out of a fissure in the ground.

The eruption was some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Reykjavik, near the site of the Mount Fagradalsfjall volcano that erupted for six months in March-September 2021, mesmerising tourists and spectators who flocked to the scene.

“Eruption has started near Fagradalsfjall. Exact location has yet to be confirmed,” the IMO, which monitors seismic activity, wrote on Twitter.

It later said the eruption started in the valley of “Meradalir, about 1.5 km north of Stora Hrut”.

While there was no ash plume, the IMO said it was “possible that pollution can be detected due to the gas release”.

No airline flights were currently affected, Iceland’s national airport authority told AFP.

Mount Fagradalsfjall belongs to the Krysuvik volcanic system on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwestern Iceland.

Iceland has 32 volcanic systems currently considered active, the highest number in Europe. The country has had an eruption every five years on average.

The vast island near the Arctic Circle straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack on the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

The shifting of these plates is in part responsible for Iceland’s intense volcanic activity.

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