Education
SSANU, NASU issue seven-day ultimatum to FG over withheld salaries
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have threatened to embark on strike over the withheld salaries of their members.
The unions, in a letter issued on Friday by their joint action committee (JAC), said they would go on strike if the government failed to release the withheld salaries after seven days.
In 2022, the salaries of university staff members who went on strike were withheld by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In October 2023, President Bola Tinubu partially ordered the release of four months of the withheld eight-month pay of all lecturers.
In the letter signed by Muhammed Ibrahim, the president of SSANU, and Peters Adeyemi, the general secretary of NASU, the unions expressed concern that the government released four months of withheld salaries to members of academic staff without extending the same gesture to non-academic staff.
“While we appreciate the federal government for paying our academic counterpart, we also deem it necessary that our members are also paid,” the joint letter reads in part.
“The various feelers we are getting from our members in the universities and inter-university centres indicate that we can no longer guarantee and be able to sustain industrial peace in the university sector.
“We, therefore, use this opportunity once again to call on the federal government to do the needful within the next seven days.
“The joint action committee of NASU and SSANU should not be held responsible should the wheel of administration and corporate governance be grounded to a halt in the University sector, as we have exercised enough patience.
“If nothing is done by the federal government to positively address this situation and respond to our previous letters to them, the members of the two unions may be forced to meet soon to take all lawful and stringent decisions on the matter.”
SSANU and NASU said they had written a letter to Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff (CoS) to the president, and Tahir Mamman, the minister for education, on February 13, but received no response.
“We are shocked that two weeks after the letters had been sent and received by the appropriate quarters, the federal government has remained quiet and refused to take any step towards addressing this very sensitive issue,” the unions added.
“We like to confirm through this medium once again to the federal government that the pressure on us has intensified and we have done everything possible within our ambit to prevail on our members to maintain industrial peace and tranquillity.”
Education
Governor Abba Yusuf donates N2m to islamic school
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has donated N2 million to Mu’assasatu Balarabe Bello Hamza Islamic School, located on Sokoto Road in the state capital.
The donation was announced during the Qur’anic graduation ceremony of 13 students held on Sunday at the school premises.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, the governor highlighted the significance of learning the Holy Qur’an and applying its teachings in daily life.
He congratulated the graduating students, their parents, and teachers on the milestone and encouraged them to expand their knowledge beyond religious studies.
A press statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment at Kano Government House, Usman Gwadabe, revealed that certificates were presented to the 13 graduates during the event.
Speaking at the occasion, the Head Teacher, Mallam Jamilu Yusha’u, stated, “The school was named after the late Balarabe Bello Hamza, who established the school for special extra lessons for children during the holidays.”
However, he prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive him and reward him for the good work he did for the benefit of humanity.
In his remarks, the Director-General of Protocol, Kano Government House, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the parents and the school authorities appreciated Yusuf’s good gesture for the “donations and for his administration’s readiness toward improving the educational sector in the state.”
Education
UNIOSUN mandates new students to apply for student loan
The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Professor Clement Adebooye, has mandated the institution’s fresh students to apply for Federal Government student loan anchored by the National Education Loan Fund, NELFUND.
This is as he disclosed that the university could only admit 11,000 students out of the 30,000 that applied for the 2024 academic session.
Speaking at the 18th Matriculation ceremony held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium at the main campus in Osogbo on Friday, he assured the newly admitted students of the timely completion of their courses of study.
He disclosed that the FG loan scheme would make learning easy for the new students due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country; hence, new students must apply for the loan.
His words, “I must also seize this opportunity to announce to you the opportunity for student loans provided by the Federal Government through NELFUND. As this is an intervention to cushion the effect of economic hardship on students, the management of this institution has decided that every new student must apply and access it to further make student life easy for you”.
He charged the newly admitted students to work tirelessly to achieve academic progression, saying they are among the few lucky ones to gain admission.
“It will interest you all to note that well over 30,000 candidates applied for admission into the university this year. Of this lot, we are only able to admit 11,000 (approximately one-third) into the various academic programmes across colleges and campuses. Though this means you are among the very lucky few admitted, it also shows you have all it takes to be undergraduates in any Nigerian university.
“But then, you all have to note for your all-time guidance that it is not everyone that starts any race that usually completes the race. The race in this context is competence building and knowledge acquisition, which come with regular lectures, assignments, tests, examinations, and character moulding all through your residency here.
“In this esteemed institution, we uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and moral uprightness. Social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and truancy are strongly condemned,” he added.
Education
Outrage as students reject renaming of UniAbuja after Yakubu Gowon
Students of the University of Abuja have vehemently opposed the Federal Government’s decision to rename their institution after former military leader Yakubu Gowon.
The announcement, approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, December 16, has sparked widespread protests.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed the council’s resolution following its final 2024 meeting at Aso Rock Villa. However, students and alumni immediately reacted with anger.
On Thursday, December 19, students rallied at the university’s main gate, holding placards with messages such as “The voice of men is the voice of God,” “We stand for UniAbuja,” and “Solve hunger problems, not renaming UniAbuja.”
Comrade Nkem Silas, President of the Students Union Government (SUG), urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the decision.
“Renaming the university can have psychological effects on students. We will formally express our concerns to the Federal Ministry of Education through the Vice Chancellor,” Silas said.
Prof Jeremiah Vambe, an alumnus and lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, also criticised the move.
“Renaming the university involves economic, legal, and psychological costs. The law establishing the University of Abuja must be amended to accommodate this change,” Vambe explained.
Comrade Adamu Abdulbasit, President of the Abuja Indigenous Students Association (AISA), proposed an alternative.
“Instead of renaming UniAbuja, the Federal Government should complete the abandoned University of Science & Technology in Abaji and name it after Ladi Kwali University, Abuja,” Abdulbasit suggested.
The protests highlight the growing discontent among students and stakeholders, who see the renaming as threatening the university’s identity and legacy.
Calls for a reversal are gaining momentum as the controversy unfolds.
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