News
ASUU Vows To Resist FG’s ‘Anti-People Politics’
As the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) entered its seventh week, Wednesday, the union has vowed to resist what it described as Federal Government’s anti-people politics and principle of collective bargaining.
Dr. O.A. Timothy Namo, Chairman of ASUU, university of Jos chapter, told a news conference in Jos, that the PDP-led Federal Government planned to abrogate the principle of collective bargaining and privatise and commercialise university education.
He told newsmen that ASUU would resist the Federal Government anti-people policies at all cost. Besides, the ASUU chieftain lamented Federal Government’s denial that there was an agreement between it and the union. Giving the history of the agreement, which he said dated back to 2001, Dr. Namo stated that the documents were supposed to have undergone the fifth review.
Lamenting that federal government has continued to play politics with signing and implementation of the agreement, he stated that the negotiation was concluded in Dec, 2008.
According to him, in January this year, the draft agreement was ready for signing. He said since then the Federal Government has continued to play politics with the signing and implementation of the agreement.
He said: “Permit me to stress that Government has refused to tell Nigerians why it has not signed the agreement it freely negotiated and entered into with the union in line with the principle of collective bargaining……”
Bemoaning the Post-University Matriculation Examination (UME) university of Jos conducted last week for 28,000 candidates, through a Lagos-based consultancy firm, he alleged that candidates were charged N1,300.00 each, as against the federal government approved N1000. This means that the university authorities became richer by N36.4million.
Consequently, the union said it has dissociated itself from the post UME screening. Besides, it condemned the exercise, calling for its cancellation.
Expressing loss of confidence on the University’s Senate, it passed a vote of no confidence on the outcome of the post UME screening. Dr. Namo equally expressed concern on the indiscriminate ways and manner the university was pursuing funds.
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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