Education

Don Urges ASUU To Suspend Strike

Published

9 years ago

August 28, 2017

Prof. Isaac Obasi of the Department of Public Administration, University of Abuja has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to consider the Federal Government’s offer and end its on-going nationwide strike.
Obasi made the appeal in a document made available to newsmen in Abuja last Thursday.
He said for the fact that the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu acknowledged the government’s failure to fulfill its part of the agreement with ASUU was a sign to a quick resolution of the strike.
“ For the first time in history, a serving Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu openly declared very frankly that the Federal Government did not fulfill its part of the bargain with ASUU.
“This sincere and open confession of failure uncharacteristic of past Ministers on that seat opens to me a new window to a quick resolution of this on-going ASUU strike.
“More importantly, this is a spirit that allows for constructive engagement necessary for reaching a consensus in any collective bargaining engagement.
“Again, this cooperative spirit de-escalates rather than escalates the conflict. It is a spirit that facilitates mutual trust and compromise on the bargaining table.
“Furthermore, this is the spirit that enables negotiation to proceed in good faith,’’ Obasi noted.
He described the national strikes of 1980, 1981 and 1988, as a bad record for both “our public labour relations’ managers as well as to our academics.’’
Obasi said something had been fundamentally wrong with strategies on both sides to drastically reduce the number of strikes in the past 37 years.
“I am interested in an implementable agreement under a peaceful atmosphere ‘because I am involved’ in two ways both as a researcher on the issue as well as a potential beneficiary.
“Historically speaking, the strike statistics of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are usually frightening in both strike frequency and its duration.
“The duration of ASUU strikes appears to impact more negatively on the reputational status of our otherwise highly respected ASUU members than even the incessant nature of the strike,’’ he noted.
Obasi said that in terms of frequency; starting from the first ASUU strike of 1980, “we can count a total number of 16 national strikes, excluding warning strikes of shorter durations.’’
He said that in terms of ‘’ duration, the picture is more scaring to members of the public, and more damaging to academics in reputational terms’’.
Obasi said a window to resolve the current strike was already open as all the necessary government representatives such as the Ministers of Finance, Labour and Employment and Education, were involved.
He expressed the hope that the strike would be one of the shortest in ASUU’s history but noted that the duration would depend on how the union’s local chapters would vote on the government’s proposals.
Obasi appealed that all parties should work toward a quick resolution of the crisis.
On August 14, ASUU commenced an indefinite strike due to the federal government’s failure to fulfil the 2009 agreement made with it.

Education

ENUC President tasks ASTEC foundation Schools on dedication, value oriented teaching

Published

4 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

ASTEC Foundation Schools (AFS) owned by the seventh_ day adventist church had the distinct honour of hosting the President of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC), Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara, on his first official pastoral visit to the institution Owerrita in Abia state, recently.

The visit which marked a significant moment in the history of the school, featured the dedication of the newly landscaped roads, dedication of renovated buildings and the consecration of pupils and staff.

The ENUC President who was accompanied by the President of the Aba North Conference (ANC), Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo, further emphasized the importance of the visit and the strong support of the Church leadership toward the advancement of Adventist education.

It is noteworthy that Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Management of ASTEC, demonstrating his deep commitment to the institution’s progress and mission.

Addressing the teachers students and pupils of the college at Owerrenta in Abia state over the weekend,Pastor Opara charged the teachers to see themselves as missionaries within the school system, emphasizing the need to model Christ-like character and values before the pupils entrusted to their care.

He encouraged them to regard their profession as a divine calling, shaping both the intellectual and spiritual lives of the learners.

In his welcome address, the Principal of ASTEC, Pastor Ahaoma Chigozirim Nwanma, PhD, warmly received the distinguished guests. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the ENUC leadership for their continued support and commitment to the growth of the Adventist institution and humbly solicited their prayers for the staff and pupils.

The Headmistress of ASTEC Foundation Schools, Mrs. Charity Nwankwo, delivered the vote of thanks, and expressed deep gratitude to Pastor Opara for his pastoral visit and dedicatory prayers. She also acknowledged Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo and the ASTEC community leadership team for their consistent support, guidance, and commitment to the development of the Foundation Schools.

A special recognition was accorded to the PTA Chairman, Hon. (MG) Uzoma George, for his invaluable contributions and steadfast support to the school.

The visit was graced by ASTEC community leaders, as well as members of AFS staff and pupils, who gave a warm and enthusiastic reception to the visiting dignitaries.

The visit and dedication ceremony reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Church and school leadership to fostering a conducive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Opobo Kingdom moves to incorporate Ibani Language Into School Curriculum, Takes Off April

Published

4 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

In a bid to preserve the cultural heritage and promote the values of Opobo Kingdom, the Ibani Language will be reinstated and incorporated into the various communities and institutions of learning.

This reinstatement was declared by the Amanyanabo-Elect of Opobo Kingdom, Alabo Charles Douglas MacPepple-Jaja, Jeki VI , saying that the initiative will take effect from next month

The Amanyanabo-Elect made this statement during his speech recently in port Harcourt,where he stated that the initiative was a key component hinged on his five-point agenda.

The Monarch explained that the goal was to enhance the indigenous language and incorporate everyone at different strata including children and youths from ages 4-16.

The King Elect further added that, in order to achieve this, there would be deployment of modern multimedia tools to facilitate the process.

The Monarch also assured that research techniques will be deployed as there will be partnership with schools and communities across the Opobo clan.

He maintained that the execution of the project is a major step in the preservation of the Ibani Language and Cultural heritage of the people.

Education

NUJ demands strong actions in revamping education in Rivers

Published

4 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Members of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have taken bold steps regarding the deteriorating educational standards across the state and called for urgent government actions to stem the tide. They argued that both basic and secondary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state require state government action towards restructuring the highly decayed infrastructure.

This was part of the eight-point communique reached at the end of the special congress of the union in Port Harcourt to mark the first-year anniversary of the present union leadership in the state. The union observed that if no immediate government action is taken to address the infrastructural decay in public schools in the state, the educational future in the state will be a mirage.

The communiqué signed by

Mr. Paul Bazia -Nsaneh

Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council ,

Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D

Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council , and members of the

Communique Drafting Committee.

Dr. Justice Ihunwo – Chairman ,

Dr. Joy Grant-Amadi – Secretary and

Mr. Chukwudi Ejimofor – Member reaffirmed the position of the union on the state affairs and the nation at large.

The union also urged the state government, as a matter of urgent public concern, to commence the immediate employment of new teachers to fill the gaps caused by the dearth of teachers, stressing the need to post the would-be new teachers to local communities that are lacking teaching manpower.

Recently, the newly appointed Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr. Peters Nwagor, reaffirmed his commitment to implementing transformative education with the sole purpose of achieving inclusive and equitable learning across the state.

We hope that the commissioner will match his words with action and swing into action to give schools in the state a breath on new academic life.

By: Akujobi Amadi