Nation
NAAT Vows To Resist Salary Disparity In Universities
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) says it will resist any attempt by the Federal Government to cause further disparities in salaries of workers in the university system.
NAAT President, Ibeji Nwokoma, said this when addressing newsmen in Abuja.
The Tide’s source reports that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the non-teaching staff unions in the universities had also last week threatened to resist any form of disparity in salaries of workers in the universities.
The source also recalled that the JAC of the non-teaching staff in the Nigerian universities had alleged that there was disparity in salaries of workers in the Briggs-led committee’s report submitted to the Federal Government for approval.
It stated that the committee was set up in March by the Federal Government to oversee the negotiations with the four university-based unions and had submitted its report over a month ago.
According to Nwokoma, the leadership of the union has restrained itself from rushing to conclusion on the news that has gone viral on social media concerning allocation of percentage salaries increase to unions.
“This clearly is informed by the fact that as a responsible union we found the news to be faked and as stated earlier, it negates all known laws of collective bargaining.
“However, if the axiom that behind every smoke, there is a fire is true, we wish to clearly state the position of our union.
“NAAT will resist any attempt under any guise to introduce disparity in salaries in the universities.
“As that will have its ripple effects by solving a problem and creating multiple hydra-headed additional problems of restiveness, resistance and deep rooted further struggles, ’’he said.
He, therefore, called on Nimi Briggs committee to reconvene and conclude the re-negotiation process with the union.
He also said the committee should further adopt a more robust approach to the re-negotiation.
He added that the committee had been slow and looked spineless in its ability to take decisions on behalf of the government.
Nwokoma, therefore, said that government’s decision to enforce the “no work, no pay rule’’ on the university workers was unlawful.
“It is also important to remind government and the general public that the strike action embarked upon by NAAT is legitimate having complied with all laid down procedures and in line with ILO Convention 87.
“Therefore, the stoppage of the payment of our salaries and allowances is unlawful, draconian and contravenes the International best Labour Practices, ‘’he said.
The Tide’s source also reports that NAAT had been on strike over alleged failure of government to keep to agreement entered with the union.
Their demands include, implementation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, release of the enabling circular for the implementation of CONTISS 14 & 15 for Academic Technologists and payment of the arrears of Earned Allowances, among others.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
