The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the failure of the Federal Government to honour the 2009 agreement reached with it.

Prof. Timothy Namo, the Bauchi Zonal Coordinator of the union said this during a news conference on Friday in Jos.

Namo said that the union after its National Executive Council (NEC) held between Aug. 17 and Aug. 18, issued a 21-day ultimatum.

”As we speak, the government has not honour any of the agreements or addressed our concerns.

”At the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum, we again issued another 14-day ultimatum that commenced from Sept. 23.

”So, we want Nigerians to blame the federal government if ASUU decides to down tools and shut down public universities,” he said.

Namo highlighted the lingering issues, nonconclusion of the re-negotiation of the 2009 agreement, non-release of the three-and-half month salaries of academic staff, unpaid salaries of all academic staff on adjunct appointment, and outstanding third-party deductions.

Other lingering issues he said were poor funding for the revitalisation of public universities, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) as captured in the 2023 budget, proliferation of universities, and nonimplementation of the reports of visitation panels to universities, among others.

Afolabi Adeola has been appointed as the chief medical director (CMD) of the UniOsun Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.

Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the state’s media spokesperson, said Ademola Adeleke, the governor, approved the appointment in Osogbo.

Adeola is a medical practitioner and entrepreneur.

The appointee, Rasheed said, is one of the nine applicants screened by a panel the governor had constituted for that purpose.

The members of the committee include the chair of the Osun State Civil Service Commission Mufutau Oyeleke Oluwadare, chair of the Osun Health Insurance Scheme Muyiwa Oladimeji, and the chair of the Osun State Hospitals Management Board Kingsley K. Akinroye.

The applicants screened are Afolabi Adeola Babatunde, Adekanle Adebode Daniel, Adebami Joseph Olusegun, Adeleke Ajao Najeemdeem, Oyeniran Olaolu Ayodeji, Esimai Olapeju, Fadiora Olufemi Solomon, Adebayo Olaide Kazeem, and Akindokun Samson Segun.

Afolabi Babatunde Adeola was born on December 22, 1972, in Inisha, Osun and hails from Ekosin in Odo Otin LGA.

He obtained his medical degree from the University of Ilorin (1990-1998) and completed his residency training at the then LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Osogbo.

He is a fellow and examiner of the West African College of Physicians and member of the National Postgraduate Medical College.

He has held various leadership positions at Osun State University Teaching Hospital, including casualty officer, accident and emergency; chief resident, family medicine; head of department, family medicine; and head of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Afolabi is a member of several prestigious professional organisations including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), and the West African College of Physicians (WACP).

When kids struggle academically, getting poor grades, parents often blame teachers, assuming they’re not doing enough. As a parent, it’s natural to feel concerned and frustrated when your child struggles academically.

However, blaming teachers for poor grades oversimplifies the complex learning dynamics and ignores the various factors contributing to a student’s academic performance.

It’s time to shift the narrative and explore the reasons behind poor academic performance.

1. The home environment
   Indeed, the home environment plays a significant role in shaping a student’s academic success.

Parents’ involvement, resources, and expectations can either support or hinder their child’s motivation and academic performance.

For example, a quiet and dedicated study space can foster focus, while regular family discussions about current events can encourage critical thinking.

Parents can help their children develop a love for learning by creating a supportive home environment.

2. Students must take ownership of their learning

For a student to take ownership of their learning, the child must develop self-discipline, time management, and study skills.

While teachers can provide guidance, students must be accountable for their academic success.

This includes setting goals, prioritising tasks, and seeking help when needed.

By encouraging student accountability, parents can help their children develop study skills.

3. Mental health, bullying and social pressures

Parents or guardians should understand that mental health, bullying and social pressures can significantly impact academic performance.

Students struggling with anxiety, depression, or social issues may find it challenging to focus in class or complete homework.

Parents, teachers, and counsellors must work together to address these socio-emotional factors, providing support and resources to help students thrive.

4. Structural issues

Here, things like funding differences, outdated curricula, and inadequate resources can affect academic outcomes.

These systemic inequities can disadvantage students, making it more challenging for them to succeed.

By acknowledging and addressing these broader issues, parents and educators can work towards creating a more equitable education system.

5. Teachers are not the sole determinants of academic success

Also, by recognising these five reasons, parents can engage in constructive dialogue with teachers, address underlying issues, and empower their children to thrive academically.

Parents also play a crucial role in advocating for their child’s needs, whether it’s additional support for a learning disability or addressing socio-emotional issues.

Let’s work together to create a supportive learning environment that fosters academic excellence and sets students up for success.