Education

Medical Lecturers Distance Selves From ASUU Strike

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said this in a chat yesterday.

Published

3 years ago

July 6, 2022

The ongoing strike embarked upon by four university-based unions has taken a new twist, as lecturers in medical schools of some Federal Universities have distanced themselves from the industrial action.

This came on a day the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said the Federal Government’s promise of immediate reply to its submission to the committee set up to negotiate with it had not been fulfilled, nearly a month after.

In a letter to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH, branch, the lecturers said they never joined the strike and, consequently, requested for payment of their withheld salaries from March to June 2022.

The lecturers also sent the same letter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, as well as the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

The letter, dated June 29, 2022, signed by the Assistant Secretary of the union, Dr. Mohammed Abdulahi, and entitled: ‘Request for Payment of Our Withheld Salaries from March-June 2022’, read: “We, members of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital branch, majority of which form the College of Medical Sciences Academic Board, University of Maiduguri, wish to kindly request for payment of our withheld salaries from March 2022-June 2022.

“This is because our members (medical lecturers in the University of Maiduguri) have been patriotically doing their work, which includes teaching, training and conducting examinations of medical students throughout the period of the ongoing strike.”

They drew the attention of the minister to their earlier correspondences in March, with the Provost, College of Medicine, and Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, notifying them of their resolve to remain at work, notwithstanding the strike declared by ASUU.

They explained that the proactive step was taken in case the Federal Government decides to stop the salaries of ASUU members.

The medical lecturers, therefore, appealed for the kind intervention of the minister to encourage their patriotic members to continue their services for the good of Nigerians.

It was reliably gathered that apart from UMTH, other institutions, which medical colleges pulled out of the strike, include Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, ATBUTH, Bauchi, and Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, UDUTH, Sokoto.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, could not be reached for his comment at press time, yesterday.

However, a source in the Education Ministry said they had verified that medical lecturers were teaching and that Usman Danfodio even graduated medical doctors in March/April.

The source, who is a senior official of the ministry, showered praises on the lecturers for their patriotism and assured that their withheld salaries would be paid as soon as possible.

“Theirs is an act of patriotism. Persistent strike by lecturers is at the base of poor grading of Nigerian universities and part of the reasons for the falling academic standard.

”How I wish others will emulate those who have decided to remain in the classroom while the numerous challenges facing higher education are sorted out,” the official said.

One of the medical lecturers, who preferred anonymity, further confirmed that their members had not been participating in the ongoing industrial action, adding that they were concerned about the deleterious effect of incessant strikes on the quality of education in Nigeria.

Govt’s promise of immediate response to our demands unfulfilled —ASUU

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, said yesterday that the Government’s promise of immediate reply to its submission to the committee set up to negotiate with it has not been fulfilled, nearly a month after.

The union also called on well-meaning citizens of the country to take the government to task on how it was handling the running of universities and education generally in the country.

The National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said this in a chat yesterday.

Prof. Osodeke spoke as Prof. Nimi Briggs, who led the committee set up by FG to renegotiate the 2009 agreement with ASUU, said he didn’t know what was causing the delay in government making its stance known on the report submitted to it.

“When we met with the Briggs Committee about a month ago and our submission made, it promised to report back to the government and revert to the union immediately.

”Up until now, we have not heard anything from them. It shows the levity with which they take the issues.

“They have stopped our salaries since March, we didn’t die because of that. We only want Nigerians to see this as a battle we must all fight, so our education system can be adequately funded, facilities improved and that education becomes a right that should not be taken away from the average citizen.

”The ball is in their court and when the right thing is done, we will all benefit and our society will be better for it,” Osodeke said.

The ASUU president in a separate interview on Channels Television programme, Politics Today, on Monday night, said the union was ready to call off its strike as soon as the federal government signed the negotiated agreement it had with it.

“As far as ASUU is concerned, the strike can end tomorrow, we have finished the negotiations, let the government call us this night that we should come tomorrow and sign the agreement, we will be there.

“Let government tell us they have finished testing the UTAS, we have accepted it. By tomorrow, we will call off the strike. We have finished (with negotiations).

“We are just waiting, and challenging the government. When will they sign the agreement? And when will they accept UTAS? Those are the two questions we need to ask the Nigerian government,” he added.

Contacted on what was causing the delay in government’s response to ASUU’s demands and government’s stance on the report of his committee, Brigss said: “I don’t know.”

According to him, the committee has concluded its assignment and handed over its report to the appropriate authorities.

“Acting on the report or not is not within our purview. We cannot also force anybody to do anything. We have done our assignment,” he said.

Asked what the FG was doing about the report, the Director, Public Affairs, Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, said he was not authorized to speak on anything relating to ASUU.

Recall that ASUU had been on strike since February 14, this year.

Education

UNILAG Graduates 16,409, Honours Okonjo-Iweala, Others at its 55th Convocation

Published

4 weeks ago

January 9, 2025

Seyi Babalola

The University of Lagos (UNILAG), is set to confer Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D. Sc) on the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at its 55th convocation.

No fewer than 16,409 students will be graduating during the week-long activities scheduled to commence with a Juma’at service at the institution’s Central Mosque on Jan. 10 and end on Jan. 17.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola during a Pre-Convocation news briefing on Wednesday, said former Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State will be the Chairman of the occasion.

The Vice-Chancellor said that the Convocation lecture with the theme: “Universities as Hubs for Development and Wealth Creation” will be delivered by Dr. Tayo Aduloju, the CEO of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) at J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium.

Ogunsola said the conferment of Honorary Degrees was in recognition to three personalities who had distinguished themselves in scholarship, made ground-breaking discoveries, or contributed significantly to academic and societal development.

She listed other awardees as Mr. Fola Adeola, Co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank Plc), as well as Group Managing Director (GMD) of Sahara Power Group, Kolawole Adesina.

The Vice Chancellor said the ceremony will feature award of first degrees, diplomas, certificates, and prizes to graduating students of the Faculties of Arts, Education, Environmental Sciences, Science, and Social Sciences.

“Conferment of degrees will be for graduands from the College of Medicine in the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and Dental Sciences.

Others were Faculties of Engineering, Law, Management Sciences, Pharmacy, and the Distance Learning Institute (DLI).

He said that the conferment of degrees would come up on Jan. 14 and Jan. 15.

“Out of the 16,409, 9,684 students will receive first degrees and diplomas, 6,659 will be awarded postgraduate degrees while 66 will graduate from the UNILAG business School,” she said.

She gave the breakdown of the award results as, 561 first class degrees and distinctions; 3,916 second class upper degrees (2.1) and 763 second class lower (2.2) degrees.

The Vice Chancellor also said results also showed that 1,143 third class (3rd class) degrees, 78 degrees as well as 223 unclassified degrees would be conferred.

Ogunsola said that two students of the Faculty of Science, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Mr. Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Badekale have set another record.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that Olamide Emida, the best graduating student from humanities, Faculty of Management Sciences in the department of Accounting had CGPA of 4.95.

Ogunsola said that the overall best Ph.D. thesis award for 2025 will go to Adetoun Alaba Akitoye, who obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry while the best Ph.D. thesis (Humanities) will be awarded to Eniola Ladipo.

“Other activities in the forthcoming convocation include exhibition of Innovations and works of staff and students at the Senate Car Park, commissioning of three projects by the Pro-Chancellor, Wole Olanipekun, SAN billed for January 13.

“These are the Centre for Herbal Medicine, Drug recovery and Development, Biomedical Toxicology, Regulatory science and Pharmacovigilance analytical laboratory (ACEDHARS Building).

“We are also commissioning the new 120 bed space in Moremi Hall extension and finally the new ultra-modern Learning Commons, an extension of our library services which speaks to our student-centered services and provides an environment for teamwork, creative engagement, research-collaboration and knowledge co-creation.

“A groundbreaking ceremony for the School of Postgraduate Studies building donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun in commemoration of his 80th Birthday, will be done same day,” she added.

According to her, the highlight of the day will be the recognition of the achievement of various individuals for their contributions to scholarship and humanity.

“We will recognise two distinguished professors who have retired but continue to contribute to scholarship and academia by awarding them as Professors emeriti of the University of Lagos.

“These are Prof. Babajide Alo of the Department of Chemistry and Prof. Olukayode Amund (Department of Microbiology).

She added that the convocation will also be used to award Prof. Victor Ariole, (Department of European Languages) a gold medal for his ongoing contributions to the University and the nation.

(NAN)

Education

Strike: We’ve no choice than to shutdown polytechnic sector -ASUP

Published

2 months ago

November 28, 2024

Seyi Babalola

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has restated its resolve to embark on a nationwide strike, beginning from December 2, 2024.

Addressing journalists after the union’s 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, ASUP President Kpanja Shammah, said several efforts to get the government to address the contentious issues have failed.

He outlined several grievances, including alleged violations of the Federal Polytechnic Act (amended 2019), mismanagement in the appointment of key officials, and non-fulfillment of government promises.

Shammah also cited instances of irregularities in the appointment of rectors, including the reappointment of Deputy Rectors who had exceeded their statutory six-month acting tenure. He alleged that such actions violate the law, which mandates adherence to due process in appointments.

The union president also criticized the government for failing to release the 2023 Needs Assessment Intervention Funds, which are critical for infrastructure development in polytechnics.

He further expressed dissatisfaction over the non-payment of salary arrears, promotion arrears, and academic allowances. The union also decried the lack of implementation of the 35%-25% salary review for state polytechnic staff.

Shammah accused government-aligned individuals of meddling in its operations, including seizing union properties, withholding union dues, and intimidating officials.

The ASUP president highlighted several cases where rectors were appointed without following the stipulated processes, including the controversial appointments in Federal Polytechnics in Damaturu, Nasarawa, and other institutions.

“We have done all within our powers to ensure that the issues were addressed but nothing has been done we have no other option than to shutdown the sector,” he said.

The union appealed for public understanding, noting that their demands are aimed at restoring stability and ensuring a conducive learning environment in the polytechnic sector.

Education

NECO accredits more foreign schools for SSCE, BECE

Published

2 months ago

November 23, 2024

Seyi Babalola

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.

The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.

“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.

“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.

“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.

The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”

In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.

“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”

NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’d Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.