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Governing Council: ASUU Berates FG Over Breach Of Varsity Act
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Port Harcourt branch have berated the Federal Government over its inability to reconstitute the governing council of the institution since the dissolution of the last council in May, 2020, saying that such act was an outright wilful breach of the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Act of 2003.
To this end, the ASUU is urging the Federal Government to reconstitute the governing council of the institution so as to fast-track the appointment of a substantive vice chancellor and registrar, whose tenures of office wold terminate in less than two months as well as protect and save the institution from internal and external intrusions.
The Chairman of ASUU in the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Austen Sado said this during a press briefing by the union at its secretariat in Port Harcourt, Thursday.
Sado said the Federal Government was politicising the issue of the reconstitution of the governing council, saying that the non-constitution of a governing council was negatively affecting the institution.
According to him, the power to appoint a vice chancellor in any federal university was vested in the governing council, as espoused in Section 3 (1.2.3.4.) of the University Miscellaneous Provision Act 2003.
The section states: “There shall be a vice chancellor of a university who shall be appointed by the governing council in accordance with the provision of this section.
“For the purpose of clarity”, Section 2A states, “the council, when constituted, shall have tenure of four years from the date of its inauguration, provided that where a council is found to be incompetent and corrupt, it shall be dissolved by the visitor and a new council be immediately constituted for the effective functioning of the university”.
The Uniport ASUU branch helmsman wondered why the Federal Government refused to constitute another governing council since the dissolution of the last council in May, 2020, saying that it was worrisome that the dissolved council was in the process of appointing a vice chancellor for the university whose tenure was to take effect from 13th July, 2020.
He accused the Federal Government of politicising the operations of university through its acts of omission and commission, which according to him, has exposed the university to all forms of manipulation by various interests within and outside the university.
He opined that the inability of the Federal Government to constitute a new council was an indication that it was not interested in the effective running of the institution, saying that the Federal Government has no justification for not constituting the governing council for the university after it reconstituted some governing councils of federal universities in the country on 13th July, 2020.
“We have brought this to the attention of the government through press releases, press conferences and lobbying without success.
“It is unthinkable that a government whose mantra is the fight against corruption could advertently or inadvertently be complicit in violating the rule of law.
“Obviously, there is a limit to what public officers would be allowed in their rape of the system,” he stated.
Sado warned that if the trend was not checked, the union would withdraw its cooperation with the acting vice chancellor after 13th January, 2021, when the tenure of the present occupant would elapse.
He used the opportunity to call on members of the public to synergize with the university community to ensure that the government does not continue to cause disharmony in the university system.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.