Education
Students loan ploy to enslave Nigerian students – ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Calabar Zone has opposed the proposed Student Education Loan of the Federal Government describing it as a ploy to enslave Nigerian Students and make them remain indebted to the country forever.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday, the Zonal Chairperson of ASUU, Dr Happiness Uduk, said it was disheartening that the people who attended schools on scholarship, enjoyed meal subsidies, bursary awards among others were the ones making some of these obnoxious policies adding that the union would not relent in opposing such policies.
Uduk in a statement jointly signed by the eight union Chairpersons reasoned that instead of giving loans for students’ education; FG could use the money for interventions in higher institutions.
She added that such a move would bring about a positive turnaround of events that would make the institutions self-reliant with highly subsidized tertiary education in the country.
Uduk said “It is disheartening that people who attended schools on scholarship, enjoyed meal subsidies, free laundry services and bursary awards are the same running our economy today. Their Children are on scholarships in the best foreign universities in the world but after siphoning our economy, they turn around to impose a strangulating Education Loan on taxpayers’ children so that they will be enslaved and remain indebted to the country forever.
“They do not mind the devastating effect of this scheme on the country such as depression, suicide, and colossal loss of intellectuals.
“To this end, we vehemently condemn the idea of Education Loans and state clearly that using the money for intervention in higher Institutions will bring about a positive turn-around of events that will make our institutions self-reliant with highly subsidized tertiary education in Nigeria.”
The ASUU chairperson called on the Federal Government to come to a renegotiation table and reconvene a committee to review the agreement reached by ASUU leadership and Prof. Nimi Brigs-led Government committee with the view of adjusting the document according to the current economic realities to have an acceptable salary structure for university lecturers.
She also condemned the indiscriminate proliferation of universities in Nigeria without adequate funding by both the Federal and state governments noting that the 2020 ASUU-FGN Memorandum of Action (MoA) which stressed the need to review the NUC Act to make it more potent in arresting the reckless and excessive establishment of universities be fully implemented.
“We urge the President Tinubu-led administration to refrain from further proliferation of universities and rather consolidate on the already existing ones. What we need are universities that are adequately equipped and empowered to address the challenges confronting Nigeria not glorified schools,” She said.
On the ongoing minimum wage negotiation, the ASUU Calabar Zone urged the FG to immediately deploy the instrumentality of collective bargaining to conclude the social dialogue saying that such would lessen the invasive decline in the socio-economic lives of Nigerians.
She further urged federal, state and local governments to take a critical look at all unworkable policies and programmes sponsored by international money lenders such as the World Bank and IMF to reclaim the country’s sovereignty and restore the confidence of Nigerians.
She, however, advised governments and her agencies to read the Act establishing universities and stop interfering and threatening the autonomy of the universities especially in terms of policy, academic planning and administration even as it advised that suspended members in Ebonyi State University be recalled in obedience to the declarations and orders of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
She added that outstanding salaries of academics in all institutions should be paid without further delay noting that failure to accede to their demands would make them embark on industrial action even as it regretted that it resorted to strike to press home its demands as that was the only language the government understands.
PUNCH
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)
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.
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.
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