City Crime
ASUU Strike: RSUST Ready For Dialogue
The management of
Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port
Harcourt, at the weekend gave indications of its willingness to engage the
striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution in
meaningful dialogue as a means of resolving their disagreements.
Speaking at the weekend in Port Harcourt, the institution’s Deputy Registrar/Public
Relations Officer, Mr Desmond Wosu was reported to have said that the
management of the university was now prepared to dialogue with ASUU and other
unions to restore peace and normalcy to the institution.
However,The Tide investigations last week revealed that
uneasy calm and uncertainty once again enveloped the RSUST, Port Harcourt,
following the strike action declared by
ASUU in protest against the re-appointment of Prof Barineme Fakae as the
acting Vice Chancellor of the university.
It would be recalled that the university’s ASUU had given
the state Governor and visitor to the university, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi a one-week ultimatum to reverse the re-appointment of Prof Fakae or
face industrial action.
It was crystal clear last week when The Tide visited the
university that ASUU had made good its
threat to embark on strike at the expiration of the ultimatum, penultimate
Wednesday, as there was no indication that all was well with the state-owned
university.
Indeed, an atmosphere of uncertainty, confusion and
apprehension hovered over the campus, as distraught students idled away.
While some gathered in groups particularly around the
Faculty of Engineering block, speaking in hush tones, others milled around
hopelessly.
There was nothing to suggest that teaching and learning or
other meaningful activities were going on at the university.
Several persons, suspected to be non-academic staff, were
also seen gathering around the Amphitheatre block, including stern-looking
security men, who were patrolling the area.
Opposite the block, two SOS vans were also strategically
positioned, facing the road.
The entrance of the Senior Staff Club was firmly locked, as
some security men were seen taking position within the premises of the club.
The club, which used to be a beehive of activities was
deserted, as senior lecturers of the university and other guests who used to
cool-off there after the day’s work, were nowhere to be seen.
Three lecturers who were seen directly opposite the club,
were , however, visibly agitated.
They lamented that an incident had taken place at the venue
where members of ASUU were holding a meeting last Wednesday, to apparently
review strategies of the strike.
They alleged that an unidentified young man in black attires
had invaded the venue of the meeting, and disrupted it in full glare of
securitymen who had positioned themselves inside the hall to monitor
proceedings as the ASUU meeting progressed.
Suspecting foul play, some ASUU members were said to have
whisked away the Chairman of the union, Dr Felix Igwe for fear of his life. The
Tide, however, could not confirm immediately reports and insinuations that Dr Igwe was brutalised and was being
hospitalised as a result.
However, the Deputy Registrar (Public Relations) of the
university, Mr Desmond Wosu told The Tide in an exclusive interview in his
office that ASUU had not notified the management of its intention to proceed on
strike.
While attributing the lull currently experienced in the
university to dangerous and unfounded rumours making the rounds concerning the
strike, he said the re-appointment of Prof Fakae, whom he said, had performed
creditably in office, was not enough to degenerate to industrial action.
Wosu also noted that Governor Amaechi did not make a mistake
by re-appointing Prof Fakae, saying, the re-appointment was the best thing that
had happened to the university.
According to him, Prof Fakae’s reappointment was done in
good faith, following his track record of achievements for the university since
2007 when he assumed office.
He listed the achievements to include the eradication of
cultism in the university, the introduction of e-learning system, which he
said, had placed the university on high pedestal, the full accreditation of the
university’s programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the
improved ranking of the university from 76th to 19th position.
He also indicated that the Fakae-led administration had ensured that admission into the university
was based on the carrying capacity
prescribed by NUC, to the extent that classrooms and lecture rooms were no
longer over-populated while lecturers no longer complained of having too many
scripts to mark, coupled with the fact that the university’s science
laboratories and workshops were now well-equipped.
The university’s image maker further noted that Prof Fakae’s
re-appointment would put the university in a better stead, as his
administration would ensure continuous, rapid transformation of the university.
‘Members of the university community should give peace a
chance. ASUU should adopt dialogue so that we can move the university forward.
Enough is enough. Let us not drive our students to the streets again. It does
not augur well for us , it does not augur well for parents. It is not good for
our children. Let us support the management to move the university forward”, he
pleaded.
He also defended the VC’s administrative style, and sued for
peace, tolerance and dialogue.
However, a member of the Senior Staff Association of
Nigerian Universities (SSANU) who was visibly disturbed by the current state of
affairs at the university, while speaking to The Tide under condition of
anonymity, advised the Vice Chancellor to step aside in the interest of peace,
and not allow the university to be consumed by selfish interest.
Donatus Ebi
The Rivers state Government has urged the Federal Government to address the high rate of maternal deaths in the country.
Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Mekele Comfort Igwe, made the call while declaring open a four-day capacity building workshop in Port Harcourt, recently.
The workshop, which was organised by the State Ministry of Health with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, was aimed at developing realistic and effective operational health plans for 2026 that will shape the state’s health budget and improve public health outcomes.
Themed “Realistic and Effective 2026 Annual Operational Plan That Informs Health Budget for the People of Rivers State,” the training brought together selected health managers across the State to enhance their capacity in evidence-based health planning under Nigeria’s Sector-Wide Approach.
Igwe stressed the need for the country to address the issue of maternal mortality, describing the present ranking of Nigeria as the global capital for maternal deaths as a poor assessment of the nation’s health sector.
He described the workshop as a critical step in addressing the state health challenge through strategic planning and collaborative problem solving.
“Today marks another step in our journey towards effective health planning for the people of Rivers State. This workshop builds on the foundation laid by the Master Trainers’ training held in Abuja from June 30 to July 4. We are here to cascade that knowledge to ensure more people are equipped for the tasks ahead,”she said.
She reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Initiative and praised development partners for their continued support.
“I thank all our development partners for their unwavering commitment and financial support under the new funding arrangement.
“Their intervention has been crucial in helping us survive our worst health challenges,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Dozie Nwokedi, a representative from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the health sector through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Nwokedi stated that the ongoing reforms are aimed at reducing physical and financial burdens on Nigerians seeking healthcare, increasing health insurance coverage, and promoting the local production of medical consumables and equipment.
“We are here to support Rivers State in strengthening the capacity of its health workforce.
“The goal is simple: save lives, reduce pain, and provide quality healthcare for all Nigerians. These reforms are built on a strategic blueprint that includes four pillars, three enablers, 27 priority initiatives, and 265 interventions,” he said.q
Also speaking at the workshop, the Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Juhanne Woke, explained the rationale behind holding the workshop in July, noting that it aligns with the national health planning framework.
“This program is a vital part of preparing for the 2026 health sector budget. By Quarter 3 of each year, we are expected to begin planning using data and evidence generated within the current year,” Dr. Woke said.
She called on participants not to lose faith in the system despite past frustrations.
“I know some of us may be weary with the thought of ‘same old garbage in, garbage out.’ But I urge you to believe that meaningful change starts small. Let us all pull in one direction towards better health outcomes,” she added.
John Bibor
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned against the practice of scooping fuel from accidented tankers, noting it has led to the loss of many lives and property.
The agency’s Head of Operations in Ibadan, Mr Kadiri Olanrewaju, cautioned during a sensitisation programme on tanker fire accidents, held on Wednesday at Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA) of Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was held in collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) in Akinyele LGA and other stakeholders.
Olanrewaju said Akinyele LGA was selected for the awareness campaign because of its strategic location as a trailer route from the northern to the southern part of the country.
“These agencies felt that it was necessary to bring this important message to critical stakeholders in communities under the Akinyele LGA, where we have major trailer parks.
“The campaign kick-started in Ogun; we will soon move to Osun.
“The focus is to drive strong sensitisation against the scooping of fuel at the grassroots level, especially for local governments along the trailer routes to reduce needless loss of lives and property,” he said.
He charged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to enforce the laws against underage driving and ensure the proper certification and retraining of drivers.
The Administrative Secretary of OYSEMA, Mrs Ojuolape Busari, said that Community Development Associations (CDAs) were involved in the campaign to reach a larger number of people.
Busari noted that people still scoop fuel from accidented tankers because there had not been any serious punishment attached to the offence.
She, therefore, called for stiff penalties for anyone caught perpetrating the act.
“Apart from the risk of fire outbreak that may occur during the practice, it is stealing, which is a serious offence,” she said.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Akinyele LGA, Hon. Akinwole Akinyele, suggested that fuel transportation should be handled through the rail system, while leaving tankers for intra-city fuel transportation.
The chairman called for an urgent review of laws and policies related to fire services and road safety to meet the urgent and modern demands.
He said that the implementation of stricter fuel transportation regulations, vehicle maintenance, drivers’ training and retraining, and safer fuel handling practices remained crucial to the fuel distribution system in Nigeria.
“The attendant costs of tanker fire accidents have been huge, both in terms of the high number of fatalities and the loss or destruction of property, environmental damage, and public infrastructure,” he said.
NAN reports that the event featured technical sessions, lectures, and presentations from the FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, traditional and market leaders, among others.
-
News1 day ago
NUP Denies Planned Protest Over N32,000 Pension Increment
-
Women1 day agoWhat To Know About Fufu, Loi Loi
-
Rivers1 day ago
ASALGA Community Debunks Reports On Ownership Of Land Its Settlements
-
Business1 day ago
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
-
City Crime1 day ago
RSG Tasks Federal Government On Maternal Deaths
-
News1 day ago
South-South Contributes N34trn To Nigeria’s Economy In 2024 – Institute
-
Featured1 day agoRivers A Strategic Hub for Nigeria’s Blue Economy -Ibas …Calls For Innovation-Driven Solutions
-
Rivers1 day agoNDDC Inaugurates Ultra-Modern Market In Rivers Community