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Noble Youths Mass Support Association (NYMSA), an FCT youth group, has called on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to obey the resumption order given by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Mr Godwin Onmonya, the National Coordinator of the group, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Gwagwalada, FCT.
He said the strike was having negative impacts on students.
The union, through its President, Mr Emmanuel Osodeke, had embarked on a nationwide warning strike since Feb. 14 to press home its demands, stressing that the action would continue until their demands were met.
Some of the lecturers demands were funding of the Revitalisation of Public Universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and promotion arrears.
Others are the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG Agreement and alleged inconsistency in Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System.
The strike, which entered its seventh month, forced the Federal Government to institute a suit at the court to halt the strike and enable students to resume.
However, students through the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), embarked on protests by blocking entrance to the International Airport Lagos, threatening to block other major roads, if the demands were not met by government.
The court granted the resumption order, pending the determination of the substantive suit, at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, pursuant to his powers on Labour Laws of the Federation.
Similarly, Mr Luka Ayuba, a parent in Gwagwalada Area Council, whose child was studying veterinary medicine at the University of Abuja, said that the strike had made his son shift focus to other things.
“After each episode of strike, the children are no more focused and they end up not graduating within the stipulated years.
“My only pain is that the people in government are not feeling it because their own children are not in public schools but abroad or in private schools,” he said.
Meanwhile, ASUU Zonal Coordinator, Abuja, Dr Salawu Lawal, had earlier said there would be no resumption in public universities until the renegotiated 2009 agreement was signed, implemented and the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) deployed.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it is waiting for its lawyers for professional advice, following the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) order restraining it from continuing with strike.
The President of the Union, Mr Emmanuel Osodeke, disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.
The union had embarked on the industrial action to press home improved academic environment and welfare of members.
Some of the lecturers demands are funding of the Revitalisation of Public Universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and promotion arrears.
Others are the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FG Agreement and the inconsistency in Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System.
The strike has entered its seventh month the Federal Government instituted a suit before the court to halt it to enable students resume.
This followed the failure of government and the union to reach workable agreements.
However, students through the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) have embarked on protests by blocking entrance to the International Airport Lagos and have threatened to block other major roads, if the demands were not met by government.
The NICN granted the order pending the determination of the substantive suit before the court, at the instance of the Minister of Labour and Employment, pursuant to his powers, as provided in Section 17 of the Trade Dispute Act, 2004, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Ruling on the application brought by the Federal Government, the , Justice Polycarp Hamman held that since the issues in dispute have been referred to the court, ordered ASUU (the defendants) not to take part in any further strike, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
According to Hamman, the argument of Femi Falana SAN, the counsel to the defendants that the act of the applicants had been concluded is of no moment and flies in the face of Exhibit 2 dated Aug. 29, 2022.
Attached to the affidavit in support of the application where the defendants communicated to the Minister of Labour and Employment, their decision to rollover the strike to a comprehensive indefinite and total strike, beginning from 12.01 am on Aug. 29, 2022.
Hamman noted that as the time of reading his ruling on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, the strike action embarked upon by the defendants on Feb. 14, 2022, had not ended.
He maintained that workers cannot go on strike when relevant sections of the TDA have been complied with by the Minister of Labour in conciliating a labour dispute.
He praised the minister for acting in national interest by referring the matter to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
While noting that the balance of convenience is crucial to determining an application for interlocutory injunction, Hamman stated that the balance of convenience tilts in favour of the claimants who own the universities and taken into consideration the interest of the students, whose parents cannot afford private universities in Nigeria or abroad.
He insisted that the strike inflicted irreparable damage to public university education in the country, lamenting that university students have been out of school for eight months in a country where age is considered for employment and enrollment into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy and and paramilitary organisations.
Justice Hamman dismissed the claim by the defendants counsel that the strike was prompted by serial breach of agreement by the Federal Government, saying since the matter has been referred to the Industrial Court by the Minister of Labour and Employment, the defendants are mandated by the law not to engage in any further strike, pending the determination of the substantive matter.
He said: “Section 18 Subsection 1 of the TDA, 2004, connotes an obligation, which is mandatory and leaves no room for discretion.
“Section 18 (2) criminalises any contravention of 18(1) and imposes the fine of N100 or imprisonment for six months for an individual and N1000 for a corporate body.
“In this circumstance and on the strength of Section 254.6.(1) b of the constitution, Section 18(1) e of the TDA, Section 7(1) e, 16 and 19 b of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria Act 2006, I hold that this application is meritorious and same is hereby granted.
”
Justice Hamman further held that the rephrase by Falana that the court should grant accelerated hearing of the application in place of injunctive relief “is of no moment”, going by the rules of the court.
He maintained that the applicants met the requirements for granting of an injunction, contrary fo the averments of Falana SAN.
Reacting inside the courtroom, lead counsel to the Federal Government, James U.
K. Igwe SAN, said: “I thank his Lordship for the ruling, rendered with unparalleled erudition, scholarly analysis and research and which took into cognisance of education as being basic to education in Nigeria.
”
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Kwara Chapter, has threatened to embark on peaceful protest and occupy Kwara airport, if the protracted ASUU strike is not suspended.
Mr Salman Issa, the NANS Kwara Chairman told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Ilorin that members were just waiting for directives from its national secretariat.
Issa said once the national body of the students gave the order to the remaining 36 states, they would comply with the protest.
NAN reports that the Kwara NANS chairman was reacting to the blockage of the Murtala Mohammed Airport by the NANS, who stormed the Airport in Lagos to mount pressure on the government to resolve the seven-month industrial strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The students’ national body had earlier threatened to ground activities at the local and international airports across the country, beginning Monday due to the strike.
Issa explained that the directives so far only involved Zone ‘D’ of NANS, comprising South West states.
According to him, the National President of NANS is employing the means of dialogue and engaging with necessary stakeholders to solve the lingering strike by ASUU.
“The directives of the protest is only binding on South West states which has been ongoing for the past five days.
“When given directive, we shall comply too,” he said.
Also speaking with NAN, Mr Isaac Adeleye, the General Secretary of Unilorin SUG, said the union is researching on best possible means to tackle the situation, assuring that they are deliberating on the matter.
“We are collaborating with the Kwara axis of NANS to see what will happen next,” he said.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has advised Nigerian students to consider the masses, especially the youth, when making decisions regarding candidates contesting 2023 general elections. Adebayo gave the advice when he received a delegation of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) who paid him courtesy visit in Abuja. Adebayo, who is the founder of Kaftan TV, said that when elected as President of Nigeria in 2023, he would be on the side of the masses and be committed to addressing challenges facing the country, including the education sector. He advised the association not to only speak for students, but to play the role of representatives of the masses. “The solution to your problem cannot come unless you have a critical mass that is going to hold the leadership accountable,” he said. Adebayo said that Nigeria needed to improve on its education standards and promised that when elected, he would tackle the challenges of fund and other factors resulting to close down of public universities for months. Adebayo said he had a solid policy for education that would be implemented when he became president of Nigeria. He said that the issue of funding for universities was not a problem but having a committed leader who would not turn educationt to looting centre. “When I am elected president, I will ensure that government is removed from the Board of Trustee of the Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). He promised to ensure that credible Nigerians were selected to serve on the board of trustees outside government control. “I will not put a single politician on government council of any university,” he said. Salahudeen Lukman, NANS Director of Policy, Research and Partnerships, said the visit was part of the association’s decision to engage with all serious political party flagbearers ahead of the 2023 general elections on their plans for the youth of the country. Lukman, who is also Head, NANs Political Engagement, said that the students who constituted critical percentage of the Nigeria population, had decided to be actively involved in 2023 general elections. “It becomes necessity that in every decision that is critical, that determines or dictates our living standards in the next four years, Nigerian students must take a critical decision and take position. “This has informed the decision of the NANS national leadership to constitute this very powerful and intelligent team of NANS leaders across the six geopolitical zones of this country.” He said that such engagement with candidates on their plans for education and youth employment would form the association’s directive to its members on who to be supported in 2023. Lukman said that Nigerian youths were not happy with the current security and economic situation, including the continuous close down of universities for months. He said that the close down of public universities for months had made high number of youths as available tools for insecurity affecting the country. Lukman, however, advocated for more funding for the education sector and lasting solutions to the current industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The organisers of the “Teachers Naija” television reality show on Thursday announced that the season three of the show would hold from Sept. 24 to Oct. 23. The organiser, Mr Enuagwuna Ubaka, disclosed this during a news conference held in Lagos. Ubaka said that the reality show which focuses on celebrating Nigerian teachers in view of their huge contributions to nation building has its theme as “The Smart Teacher”. He said that the overall winner of the show would go home with the grand prize of N10 million, the first runner up would have N7 million, while the second runner up gets N5 million. “The Teachers Naija television reality show is back for the season 3, to hold from Sept. 24 to Oct. 23, 2022. “This is a show we are putting together to bring back the lost glory of the Nigerian teachers, knowing well that teaching profession has been bastardised in Nigeria and relegated to the background,” he said. According to him, the 20 housemates will stay on the show for 30 days while their activities in the house will be aired on DSTV, one hour daily. He said that popular Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun, popularly known as “AY”, would be the face of the show while Nollywood actor, Babaseun Faseru, remained the host of the show. “Our previous editions in 2019 and 2021 has been successful, we want that profession to be seen as important, the first season 3 teachers were taken abroad, all expense paid trip. “The show has come to change the general perception that the reward of teachers is in heaven, it is now on earth. “The show promises to be educating and entertaining,” he said. Ubaka said that some of the selection criteria was that each teacher must be between 21 and 45 years old, must be registered with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and be actively teaching. He noted that the show was organised in collaboration with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the Federal Ministry of Education and NUT. Earlier, Mr Kehinde Quadri-Adu, Head, Culture and Tourism, African Union, urged the African governments to work on ensuring teachers’ standard of living was consistently improved to make it an enviable profession. “Teachers earn the best salary in Finland, we should be able to replicate this in African countries considering their contribution to nation building,” he said. A sponsor of the show, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, National President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), said it was high time Nigerian teachers were celebrated. Akporiaye said that these were individuals known as destiny moulders, therefore, corporate organisations and philanthropists should come on board to sponsor. “These are people that protect our children significantly. I am concerned in protecting that aspect of our lives, we should engage our educational system. Faseru, host of the show, who gave account of his experience as a teacher upon graduation, urged school proprietors to encourage teachers on personal development.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Chapter, has demanded for justice over an assault on its member, Nurse Ebalu Marvis of the National Hospital, Abuja. The Chairman of the association, Comrade Deborah Yusuf, while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, alledged that Dr Atinko-Sunday Ikeya of the same hospital assaulted Marvis, while undertaking a responsibility at the hospital. The chairman alledged that on June 13, Ikeya disregarded every medical and professional code of conduct to physically and verbally assault the nurse working as a colleague with him at the hospital. According to Yusuf, the accused medical doctor insisted that the nurse has to leave the patient she was attending to to dress the wound of another patient at the female medical ward. She stated that the explanation of nurse Marvis to the doctor that she was attending to a patient on Naso Gastric tube feeding fell on deaf ears. “Atinko walked into the ward and asked ‘Madam are you the one managing this patient? Why is this patient’s wound not dressed?,” She told him that it is the O and G doctors that do dress the wound. “These doctors earlier came around few minutes ago for the dressing but the patient was in the dialysis unit, moreover the dressing pack was not available. “Dr Atinko started shouting at her saying Madam come and do this patient’s dressing now. Ukamaka Godwin’s relative replied that the doctors in O and G department said they will be doing the dressing. “The nurse added that it was the O and G doctors that dressed the wound the previous day, but if he insisted let him document. “Instead of documentation he then went close to her and said Madam I said you should go now and do the dressing’, but she told him that this is a medication trolley and besides dressing pack was not available. “Atinko went ahead accosted Marvis who was at the point of wheeling a medication trolley out of the ward. The next thing that followed can only be imagined for a horrendous scene in a horror film as he slapped her,” Yusuf said. The chairman stated that the nurse replied the doctor by asking from him what has she done to warrant the slap, and that at that point, the nurse perceived the smell of alcohol from her attacker.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has urged students and youths to wake-up from political slumber and get ready to elect youth-oriented and youth-focused leadership in the 2023 general elections.
NANS also called all youths to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) as the new electoral law in place guaranteed that votes must count as the chances of rigging had been tamed to the barest minimum.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Enugu by the Coordinator, NANS Zone F (South-East), Mr Moses Ibeabuchi, which was entitled: “Open Letter to Nigerian Youths and Students”.
Ibeabuchi said that the aggregate voting right of the students and youths through the PVC remained the power and right they have in their resolve to change the country for good.
According to him, they (money bag politicians) can buy delegate votes; but the truth remains that we are too big, articulate, ever conscious, dogged and currently enlightened by these businessmen in power, to buy.
He noted that Nigerian students had been at home for three months and counting all in the name of ASUU strike.
The NANS leader noted that political leaders were only concerned about their political interest in the next election; and none is interested in the future of Nigerians in the next generation, adding: “This is our reality, a sad and unimaginable one”.
He said: “Fellow Nigerian youths and students have another opportunity to elect a new leader who shall steer our affairs as a people beckons. As we all know 2023 is by the corner and an important year for all Nigerians.
`The year in which our desires for a paradigm shift from the retrogressive status quo we have found ourselves in, for a couple of dispensations now, to a new Nigeria full of unlimited possibilities and hope.
“There have been a myriad of killings and abductions that have happened in the country in the last 12 months, especially that of road and train travellers.
“Dear Nigerian youths and students, it is in this realisation and the reality that stares at us that I write to advise and as well plead with each of you to wake up from your sleep and slumber, and do what is right.
“It is no longer news that the continued voter registration exercise by INEC is ongoing. First, let me appreciate all youths and students that had gone to register so as to stand a chance to vote in the 2023 general elections.
“This is indeed a commendable move and a win for our nascent democracy.
“As we can see, all political parties had elected their flag bearers for the exalted position of the president, and we are faced with the decision to make a choice as to who would lead us in the next eight years.
“I wish to strongly add my voice to the calls for young Nigerians to go and register so as to get their PVCs.
“The election is apparently by the corner, and it is in our hands to make the difference and choose a leader who we truly believe would change the course of things and reposition our country Nigeria for good,” he said.
Ibeabuchi said that recent statistics had shown that Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world – currently the Nigerian youth population is about 33.6 million, which of course comprises 17 per cent of Nigeria’s population.
He urged celebrities, who are mostly youths, to come on board and use their platforms to preach the message of hope and voter education to their teeming fans and followers in order to sensitise the youths to do the right thing.
“I also advise we jettison party loyalty, and support and vote for candidates with proven track records and perceptible competencies.
“As we prepare within ourselves for this electoral tsunami of change, we should also endeavour to carry people around us along, our friends, relatives and community should also be enlightened on the need to join this revolution.
“In this electoral revolution, we must look beyond ethnic and religious sentiments; we must take decisions as Nigerians who want Nigeria to succeed and not as Igbos, Fulanis, Gwaris, Ibibios, Tivs, or Yorubas, who want their own to be in power.
“Nigeria needs a leader with a predefined people-oriented political ideology, and together we can do this. Let’s stand up and prove to the world that indeed Nigerians are ready for a better Nigeria,” he said. (
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad, the Sokoto State Head of Service (HoS), on Wednesday lauded Nurses and Midwives for their contributions to the delivery of healthcare services across the globe.
Muhammad made the recommendation at the occasion of 2022 International Nurses Midwives Week celebration in Sokoto.
The three-day programme was organised by the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Health Workforce Management (HWM) Activity and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Sokoto state council.
The 2022 is themed: “Nurses, a voice to lead: invest in nursing and respect right to secure global health”.
The HoS described the week as ”an avenue to give honour to whom it is due,” saying the celebration of nurses and midwives is not only deserving, but a necessity.
“Being a nurse is not only attending the school and working in the hospital, but someone who is always the first contact and life savers at their various communities.
“When it means you will be admitted to the hospital 75 per cent of the burden remains for nurses.
“So, you see, without nurses, a hospital is just like a human being without backbone. Their contributions to the healthcare system globally are unquantifiable,” he said.
Hajiya Imamatu Muhammad, the state Director, Nursing Services, said the week was being celebrated worldwide, to increase awareness about the contributions of the nurses and midwives in the healthcare industry.
“In a word, it is about reminding ourselves of the role and responsibilities of this noble profession, notably maintaining and improving the standard and quality of care we render to our patients and clients.
“Therefore, the healthcare system globally relies on us, and we cannot afford to fail in our responsibilities,” she said.
Muhammad further appreciated the various partners for their support and funding of the programme, while thanking the UNFPA for its full commitment towards ensuring its success.
Also speaking, Hajiya Mariya Tambuwal, the wife of Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, hailed the organisers’ efforts and dedication to humanity.
Tambuwal, who was represented by Hajiya Gado Mustapha, tasked nurses and midwives to dedicate the week in ensuring more commitment and tolerance to service delivery.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ali Inname, represented by Malam Muhammad Shu’aibu, the Director, Public Health, extolled the various efforts of nurses and midwives in ensuring a lot of successes in the health sector of the state.
Inname said that the state government had committed a lot of resources to the health sector, while assuring of more engagements to the well being of health workers in the state.
Earlier, Malam Kabiru Gobir, the Chairman of the occasion, applauded the efforts of the association in uplifting nursing profession by engaging nurses into higher qualifications.
Gobir however called on Sokoto state government to hasten the employment of community health staffers and others screened in the year 2021.
He said their employment would improve primary healthcare services and reduce the workload on secondary and tertiary health institutions.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that highlights of the occasion was the presentation of awards to some senior nurses and midwives who had exceedingly contributed to the development of healthcare in the state.
Source: NAN
Students under the aegis of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) on Thursday, blocked major roads in Ado-Ekiti to protest against the prolonged nationwide strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The protesters had as early as 8:00 a.m, converged in their large numbers on Adebayo area and trekked to the popular Fajuyi Park, where they mounted barricades chanting solidarity songs.
Motorists and commercial motorcyclists had a hectic day as the protesting students caused gridlock making the roads impassable.
The rally was organised by NANS, in collaboration with the Joint Campus Committee, Ekiti axis and attended mostly by students of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and the Federal University, Oye Ekiti.
Students from other institutions in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, also joined the protest in solidarity.
The NANS President, Sunday Asefon, said the protest was geared towards reawakening the Federal Government to accede to ASUU’s demands for the students to return to classes.
Asefon, who addressed the students, said the country’s education was being stifled by protracted closure of the country’s ivory towers.
He said no nation could develop when its universities, considered to be veritable grounds for research, was in imminent collapse.
“The universities believed to be breeding ground for research, invention and building of knowledge base of the youth, are rendered functionless, with students left to rotten away without mercy,” he said.
Asefon said the body was still planning a bigger rally under the nomenclature ‘Operation Test-Run’ that would shake the country over alleged inability to resolve the issue.
“What we are saying is that we are tired of staying at home. Our students want to return to school.
“How can the FG be claiming of having no fund to accede to ASUU demands when corruption of huge magnitude was being perpetrated?
“The Accountant General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris, was arrested for alleged N80 billion fraud.
“The former Managing Director of NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, was also arrested by the EFCC for alleged N47 billion naira fraud and the government was claiming that there was no money in the treasury.
“Our demand is simple, the FG must meet all the demands and conditions set by ASUU. We are tired of strike today, strike tomorrow.
“Strike is exposing our students to crime and the best bet is to return to school.
“No nation can grow when its intellectual thrust is being debased. Our students are being deprived of their rights to standard education,” he said.
(NAN)
The Ogun Alternate Medicine Board (OGAMB) has inaugurated a taskforce to curb unlawful practices in the subsector, as part of effort to stamp out quackery.
The OGAMB Chairman, Mr Balogun Olaleye, made this known in Abeokuta on Friday, at a one-day workshop.
The workshop was staged in collaboration with the National Association of Nigeria Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NANTMP) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The theme of the event was “The Impact of Selling and Preparation of Herbal Medicines in Nigeria”.
Olaleye said that the taskforce would also checkmate those with criminal tendencies in traditional medicine practice.
He said that the move would enable members operating in the various specialised fields to have separate taskforces that would be working with the state enforcement team to flush out quacks and reposition the subsector.
He noted that the enforcement mechanism put in place for alternate medicine practice in Ogun had become compulsory.
“The rate at which the image of the practice is being dented by quacks due to carefree attitude of some practitioners will no longer be tolerated in the state.
“Quacks in the subsector must leave the state now or they will be arrested and prosecuted by the law,” he warned.
In his address, the State Commandant, NDLEA, Commander Mathew Eije, said that alternate medicine practice was as old as the evolution of man on earth and long existed before the introduction of orthodox practice.
According to him, the agency is ready to wage war against drug abuse.
He warned traditional practitioners to be very careful with what they sell to the public.
In his remarks, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, commended the collaboration, saying that it would go a long way in sanitising the subsector.
Oyeyemi said it was compulsory for all practitioners to join necessary associations that have to do with their practice and to register with the government to be certified.
He added that anyone who had not registered with the government was not qualified to practice in the state and that such a person would be treated as a criminal.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the state Chairman, NANTMP, Chief Samson Soyoye, commended the present administration for considering the health sector and the traditional medicine as one of its priorities.
Soyoye said that the commitment of the governor and the board had inspired them to be more committed.
He assured the government that with the inauguration of the taskforce, the association would be more dedicated to the practice of alternate medicine.
(NAN)
