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
IMT Enugu suspends exams over death of student on campus
The Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu has suspended its ongoing examinations over the death of a student on its campus.
A female student of Peaceland College identified as Chiamaka Ozoigbondu died on Monday after an accident occurred at IMT.
Two other students, who were injured in the accident, were rushed to the hospital where they are receiving medical care.
Campus sources attributed the accident to post-examination euphoria and celebrations among the students.
Emeka Ejim, IMT’s acting rector, spoke to journalists in Enugu about the incident on Wednesday.
He said the institute sympathises with the bereaved family and extends condolences.
He said an emergency joint meeting of the IMT management and academic board was held and the school resolved that all outstanding examinations be suspended.
“A three-day mourning period, from Oct. 2 to Oct. 3, be observed by staff and students against a recurrence of such a sad incident,” he said,” he said.
Ejim said the IMT management will collaborate with security agencies and the bereaved family to ensure that justice is done.
He said all forms of celebration on campus after examinations are hereby banned.
The acting registrar stated that students found celebrating within the institute would face expulsion.
“Students, who wish to celebrate after their exams, can do so outside the IMT premises,” he added.
Ejim said a speed limit of 20 km per hour will be enforced for all vehicles within the campus.
He said any driver found violating the rule shall be arrested and handed over to law enforcement agents.
“Law enforcement officers should not escort students into IMT for any reason. Their presence makes it impossible for IMT security men to control these students,” he said.
Education
UK university offers fully funded sanctuary scholarship for asylum seekers
The University of Westminster has announced the availability of its Sanctuary Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity for students seeking to pursue a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
According to the institution, the Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship provides a full tuition fee waiver along with £1,000 for living expenses over a 12-month period.
This funding is directed specifically at students residing in the UK who do not qualify for traditional financial aid.
This initiative, as stated, aims to support individuals seeking asylum or those with refugee status who are unable to access postgraduate financial support.
Scholarship Overview
According to Scholarship Region, the Sanctuary Scholarship is part of the University’s commitment to support international students facing significant barriers to higher education.
The scholarship caters to those with refugee or asylum seeker status, ensuring they have access to educational opportunities despite financial constraints.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship for the 2025 academic year, applicants must meet specific requirements.
These include holding an offer for a full-time Master’s course at the University of Westminster starting in September 2024 or January 2025. Additionally, candidates must reside in the UK and possess one of the following immigration statuses:
- UK asylum seeker
- UK discretionary leave to remain (due to an asylum application)
- UK limited leave to remain (due to an asylum application)
- UK refugee status
Notably, students who already possess a Master’s degree or those who can receive taught postgraduate loans from Student Finance are ineligible. Certain course types, such as Postgraduate Diplomas and professional qualifications, are also excluded from this scholarship opportunity.
Benefits of the Scholarship
The Sanctuary Scholarship offers substantial financial support, including a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly allowance of £1,000 for up to 12 months. This financial backing is geared to alleviate the economic burden on students, allowing them to focus on their studies and personal development.
Application Process
Interested candidates can apply for the University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship by following a straightforward process. Applicants should first secure a place in a full-time Master’s degree program starting in September 2024 or January 2025.
They will then need to complete the Sanctuary Scholarship application form and submit it along with their academic transcripts. The completed application should be sent as a PDF attachment to scholarships@westminster.ac.uk.
The deadline for applications is set for November 22, 2024. The university encourages all eligible candidates to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.
Education
Asake under fire for reportedly breaking fan’s iPhone 16 Pro Max
Nigerian singer Asake has faced backlash from social media users for reportedly stepping on an eager fan’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, thus breaking it in the process.
It all began on September 29, 2024, when a fan named Adeoti posted a video to TikTok, showing the moment he tried to get a picture with the star. In the video, Asake pushed the phone onto the ground and stomped on it, causing significant damage.
“@asakemusic You broke my iPhone 16 pro Max it’s not because they pissed off inside the nightclub that you are going to react like that towards a fan. anyway I still love you,” Adeoti wrote.
Between Asake and a fan… pic.twitter.com/CGi66DHCtp
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) September 29, 2024
The video quickly went viral and sparked reactions on social media, with many slamming Asake for breaking the fan’s phone. Comments ranged from disappointment to outrage, with some suggesting that the incident reflected a broader issue of how celebrities treat their fans. However, in a separate post, Adeoti stressed that he remains Asake’s fan and loves him still; which also garnered reactions from others.
An Instagram user slammed the singer, saying, “A gutter behaviour. Person u suppose deck bro to bro,” and another outraged fan asked, “Would he do that if that fan was a white boy? No! Black man and power show on their fellow blacks is never ending.”
Others reflected on the singer’s rise to fame, reminding him of his humble beginnings., “People forget easily where they’re coming from. I’m sure Asake at one point in his life wanted to take pictures with celebrities too. How do you treat a fellow human being like that?? Kai!!!”
Some people also slammed the eager fan,”When you people would be acting as if you’re not loved at home around these celebrities 😂😂😂,” “Anyway I still love you”???!! Someone treats you like that and 😒….. anyways to each his own. Ire ooooo.”
As of the time of this report, Asake has not publicly responded to the incident.
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