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End ASUP, COEASU Strike Now, NLC Tells FG
Member, House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (middle), Wife of Ayangberen of Ikorodu, Ambassador Muyibat Oyefusi (right) presenting Keke NAPEP to beneficiaries, during the Constituency Empowerment Scheme in Ikorodu, Lagos State, last Friday.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday called on the Federal Government to end the strike embarked upon by some educational institutions in the country.
This is contained in a statement issued by the NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar in Abuja, saying that the congress is concerned with the prolonged strike.
Omar said in the statement that it had led to the disruption of the academic calendar and threatened the education sector.
“It is time for the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) to go back to work.
“The congress is concerned with the prolonged strike; this has led to the disruption of the academic calendar and also threatening the health of education in the sub-sector.
“These negativity are seldom good for the quality of the nation’s education or the image of the country.
“The congress therefore wishes to appeal to the government to end further suffering of students by urgently bringing to an end the protracted strike by members of ASUP and COEASU.
“Government’s serial breach of agreements with the unions, especially in the education sector, has had a telling effect on the well-being of the economy generally and education in particular.
“It is saddening that government is fast acquiring for itself a reputation of a partner that cannot be trusted to keep agreements it voluntarily entered into.”
The congress urged the government to get its priority right by responding to their demands.
“Government should get its priority right by speedily responding to the demands of COEASU and ASUP for the sake of our children.
“The government should also have sympathy for the parents, teachers and save the education system and the nation at large from ultimate collapse,’’ the statement quoted Omar.
It stated that the recent breakdown of talks between the government and the leadership of ASUP was because of the hard-line positions taken by the Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike.
The statement noted that the refusal to move any inch in the negotiations to allow for mutual consensus would continue to make the strike linger.
The ASUP embarked on its strike in October, 2013, while their counterparts in Colleges of Education commenced similar industrial action in December, 2013.
The strike is over the refusal of government to fully implement the 2009 agreement it signed with the unions.
The non-release of a White Paper on the Visitation Panel to Federal Polytechnics is also identified as one of the reasons for the strike.
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.
