News
Varsity Unions Protest Unlawful Retirement, Non-Remittance Of Pensions
Industrial unions in Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, yesterday staged peaceful protest against alleged unlawful retirement of its members and non-remittance of pensions to their various pension fund administrators.
The protesting unions are: the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The unions locked the gate of the permanent site of the institution, vowing to continue the protest for seven days until their demands are met.
Chairman, Joint Action Congress (JAC) of the unions, Mr Temidayo Temola, who spoke, said the institution’s management had served five of their members retirement letters against the lawful retirement ages of 65-70 years.
He also said that the management refused to remit their pension contributions for 12 months to their various pension fund administrators.
“The retirement age for staff is 65-70 years and not 60-65 years as being claimed by the management; on the basis they served five of our members retirement letters without any provisions for them.
“Even our pension contributions, being deducted from our salaries, are not remitted; leave bonuses too are not being paid. This is total wickedness.
“We appeal to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to call the management to order and reverse the unlawful 60-65 years retirement and ensure that our pensions and leave bonuses are paid”.
“We will resist any attempt to frustrate us and we will keep vigil for seven days until our demands are met,” Temola said.
The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile, while reacting to the protest on telephone, said that the institution’s edict stated 60-65 years as the retirement age for management and academic staff respectively.
He added that the mode of remittance of the pensions had been deliberated upon, between the staff and the institution’s management and that an agreement was reached.
“The State House of Assembly has not passed any law on retirement ages, so we follow the institution’s edict, which stated 60-65 years retirement for management and academic staff respectively.
“Their pensions have been remitted till March, and we all agreed that we will pay their salaries first and pay their pensions from our subvention and internally generated revenue,” he said.
Meanwhile, the police, led by the Area Commander, ACP Musa Wasiri and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Adeniyi Agboola, were on ground to maintain peace and to guard against breakdown of law and order.
The Tide also reports that the institution was on an indefinite shutdown, following students’ protest over an alleged hike in tuition fees.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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