News
Downsizing Threat: College Workers Settle For 70% Salary
In a bid to resolve issues of salary payment, staff unions in Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED) Oyo, have settled for payment of 70 per cent salary against downsizing the workforce.
This is part of agreements reached in a communique read by Mr Teslim Adediran, the Registrar and Council Secretary, after a meeting of the governing council and staff unions of the college at the institution.
The meeting was attended by Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education; Acting Chairman on the Council, Mr Kayode Omotoso and the Provost, Dr Rasak Adefabi.
Others were representatives of College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU).
The academic and non-academic staff of the institution had embarked on industrial action since June 28 over non-payment of their salary arrears, which the governing council was said to have now decided to clear in installments.
The communique said that the unions had agreed to settle for payment of 70 per cent salary as a sacrifice on their part rather than opting for downsizing of staff to guarantee full monthly salary.
It said the unions agreed with the council that the 70 per cent salary should be subjected to review by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Management Committee(RMAMC) as the situation improved.
The communique said that it was agreed the RMAMC must meet quarterly to review the situation. It admonished members of the various unions to desist from engaging in hate speech, adding it was not only damaging to the system but criminal.
The communique said that the apology letter written by COEASU was accepted by the council. It added that the meeting agreed that the letter should be re-written to reflect the pledge of COEASU that the ugly incident of November. 1 would not repeat itself, while all stakeholders guaranteed peace.
Akin-Alabi appreciated the council, staff unions and students for their cooperation, assuring them of government’s commitment to ensure total transformation of education sector.
The special adviser to the governor, who hinged the cut in the subvention to tertiary institutions on paucity of funds, said government was poised at clearing the salary arrears of workers. “I am sure you all know the efforts of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi in transforming the education of the state.
These efforts have culminated in the successes recorded so far in the sector.
“This state prides itself as the intellectual capital of Nigeria. The restoration and sustenance of this glory is what the governor has been working on since inception.
“ He achieved a lot on this and has not relented.
I assure you that all measures would be evolved to transform the state to human capital hub, where human capital will be exported,” he said. Newsmen reports that the communique was signed by representatives of the state government, governing council and the provost. The communique was also signed by COEASU Chairman, Mr Segun Oyewunmi, SSUCOEN Chairman, Mr O. S. Adeniji and NASU Chairman, Mr Fatai Adebayo.
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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