Niger Delta
ASUU Condemns Moves To Abolish Post-UTME
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Uyo Branch, has condemned the move by a group of legislators to abolish the post-UTME screening test.
This was made known to newsmen by its Chairman, Mr Nwachukwu Anyim, at the end of a congress meeting held in Uyo.
Anyim said that since the university was operating as an autonomous institution, the university senate had the right to regulate the admission of students.
“Based on the autonomy of universities, the different university senate has the power to regulate the admission of students, without prejudice to the policies of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB),” he added.
The union leader, however, said that they were not in support of the exploitation of candidates under the guise of the screening exercise.
Anyim said that the Union frowned at the delaying tactics approach by the Federal Government on the implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.
“The ASUU is aggrieved that the Federal Government has not kept to the funding requirements for revitalising the Nigerian university system.
“The government has not provided for progressive increase of annual budgetary allocation of 26 per cent to education sector between 2009 and 2020.
“That government has not amended the pension and retirement age of academics on the professional cadre from 65 to 70 years,” he said.
He said the union had called on well meaning Nigerians and stakeholder to mount pressure on the Federal Government to finalise arrangements for the full implementation of the agreements.
Anyim noted that the implementation of the agreement would help to address the problems of decay infrastructure, brain drain, inadequate hostel accommodation for students and lack of adequate laboratories in the universities.
It would be recalled that it was the university of Uyo that first started the conduct of the post-UTME.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
