Education

ASUU threaten to embark on indefinite strike

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2022

ASUU threaten to embark on indefinite strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has re-emphasised its readiness to embark on industrial action should the Federal Government refuse to act fast before this Friday on meeting its lingering demands.

The union said its members had sacrificed so much for both the nation’s public university system and the country at large by denying themselves of desirable things due to them as being enjoyed by their colleagues elsewhere globally and now push to the wall and can no longer continue in that manner.

The Lagos Zone coordinator of ASUU, Dr Adelaja Odukoya, made this explanation on Tuesday at a media briefing held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka shortly after the ASUU branch of the university went around the university community to sensitise the students and other workers why they have no option to strike action at this time.

Lagos Zone comprises UNILAG; Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB); Olabisi Onabanjo University(OOU), Ago Iwoye; Lagos State University(LASU) Ojo and the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode Ogun State and with all the leaders from the branches in attendance at the briefing.

Speaking further, Odukoya, who teaches at UNILAG said even though the strike was yet to be declared as declaration could only be made by the national leader after the National Executive Council (NEC) would have met this weekend, all that is at their table as of now concerning their unmet demands by the Federal Government pointed towards embarking on industrial action.

‘Officials initially offered to help but when the number of able-bodied citizens at the centre increased, they left us unattended to’

He said ASUU as a body and its members have tired of promises as President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had met ASUU leadership over the same issues multiple times from 2013 when the Memorandum of Action was signed by both parties to date including what prompted them to suspend their previous strikes within the period and with him making promises each occasion without anything tangible coming out of them.

He said his last promise to ASUU and on the pages of newspapers and television when some religious leaders visited him in the villa recently has no weight before them again as his government is not ready to do the needful except the union go on strike.

Odukoya said even though ASUU had many issues begging for attention from the government, four issues and all in their 2009 Agreement are pressing and must be attended to fast to avoid another round of total and comprehensive industrial action by members of the union nationwide.

He listed the issues to include signing and implementation of the Renegotiated 2009 FGN\ASUU Agreement, the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), stopping of the proliferation of state universities and adequate funding of the existing ones, as well as payment of their withheld salaries and the union check-off dues and giving promotion to deserving lecturers.

He said the union as part of its patriotic action had made a series of efforts at all levels and appeals at getting the government to address these issues that are threatening the industrial peace in the nation’s public universities particularly at this critical period, but all to no avail.

“So, we are disappointed that both the Federal and the state governments are not responding to our consistent appeals for a reason to bring about genuine transformation, driven by highly motivated human capital, in the education sector at all levels and that is why we won’t hesitate to go on strike should the government continue to refuse to honour the agreement between them,” Odukoya said.

Education

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

Published

4 days ago

November 4, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Acting VC Prof Dikwa during the handing over session

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The second Vice Chancellor (VC)of the Borno state university (BOSU) Professor Babagana Gutti has said that he would hit the ground running by placing all academic activity in the University on auto governance.

Prof Gutti said during a recent briefing with newsmen that it was his desire for the University community and the general public to be able to see what their wards are doing on campus at each time.

“We shall work with partners and the media to achieve this because the media is part of the University and it is my intention to ensure that this University is one of the best in this country by the time my tenure ends.

“We will use the auto governance system to monitor what the students or members of the University community are doing at every time. I will ensure that technology, research and learning go together

” I expect students to register real time for their programs from any part of the country or the world. The truth is that most Universities do not have such facilities which makes the work very easy to handle for both management and the community.

“We shall present minute by minute development in the campus for the whole world to see.” Said Gutti shortly after taking over the reigns of activities from the acting VC Prof Haruna Dikwa.

Earlier acting Vice Chancellor Professor Haruna Dlakawa said he was excited and grateful to the visitor Prof Babagana Zulum for giving him the opportunity to have served the University in an acting capacity on the exit of the pioneer VC Professor Kyari Sandabe.

He asked the University community to forgive him wherever he had offended any of them during the period of acting capacity as the Vice Chancellor.

Unveiling his report card, the second VC noted that the young University which started with just 30 programs have graduated it’s first set of graduates cutting across all the facilities..

“As at today, we have 835 staff employed directly by BOSU while 270 were absorbed from the Kashim Ibrahim College of Education. And because of the memorandum of understanding we have with the University of Maiduguri 193 staff are on visiting appointment.

” Also, the University now has 19 Professors on sabbaticals while the student population has risen up to 7,398 in the campus.

” I want to report to you that 26 physical development project has been executed so far on campus while some of them have been stalled temporarily and I will be calling on the second Vice chancellor to look into these projects.”

BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

Education

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

Published

4 weeks ago

October 12, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

By: Michael Mike

An empowerment foundation, Webmark Empowerment Foundation has advocated the need to educate Nigerians on strategies to identify stressors and be conversant with with our to cope with them in order to significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders in the country.

The foundation said there is an urgent need to raise an awareness about the critical impact of stressors on mental health and the proactive measures that can be taken to prevent mental health disorders across the country, during a virtual event it held on Friday in Abuja in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Lugbe FHA Estate, Connect Her Network Foundation, and Secure the Future International Initiative to commemorate the 2024 World Mental Health Day themed “Health at Work”.

The World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 10, to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues.

Speaking at the event, a Mental Health rehabilitation professional, Dr. Saadatu Adamu, highlighted the psychological effects of stress and its potential to lead to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

She said: “Mental health is how we think, feel and act. Stress is a silent epidemic that can manifest in various ways, affecting not just individuals but an entire society.”

She added that: “By learning to identify stressors and implementing coping strategies, we can significantly reduce the risk of mental health disorders.”

Adamu also recommended some practical techniques for stress management, including mindfulness practices, physical exercise, and the importance of social support systems.

Also speaking, Webmark Empowerment Foundation trustee member, Dr. Maha Michael said that one in four Nigerians, approximately fifty million people, are suffering from some sort of mental illness according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Concerned about these statistics, he advised citizens to take their mental health more seriously especially with the pressure of prevailing economic challenges.

He also noted the growing concern over the mental health crisis exacerbated by various societal pressures, including economic instability, social isolation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael added that recognising and addressing these stressors is essential for fostering a healthier society.

On her part, founder Connect Her Network (known for empowering women and girls),
Ambassador Victoria Ojiah emphasised the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups.

She said: “Women and girls are particularly susceptible to stressors related to societal expectations and economic pressures. It is crucial to provide them with the tools and resources to manage their mental health effectively.”

Ojiah also highlighted the crucial role of mental health to overall wellbeing, saying that good health encompassed physical, mental, social, spiritual, and financial aspects; going beyond the mere absence of diseases or infirmity.

The Programme Coordinator of the Foundation, Mrs Alukwe Ugochinyere reiterated their commitment to breaking the stigma associated with mental health disorders by bringing these issue to the forefront, to encourage individuals to seek help when needed and to support one another in their mental health journeys.

Nigerians Need to be Educated on Stressors, Coping Strategies Against Mental Health Disorders- Foundation

Education

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria

By:Michael Mike

Celebrated and award-winning novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, will be the keynote speaker at the Graduation Ceremony of the class of 2024 School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) scheduled to hold on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Abuja.

The event, with the theme “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words”, will also see two-time Minister of the Federal Republic and founder SPPG, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SPPG, Ms Alero Ayida-Otobo and the Dean, SPPG, Dr Abiola Akiyode address the graduands who are poised to become transformative leaders in Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking with Tribune Online in Abuja, the CEO, SPPG, Alero Ayida-Otobo, said the School aims to disrupt the cycle of poor governance by training a new generation of ethical and effective leaders through its innovative curriculum.

She added that the time is ripe for Africa to take the bulls by the horns, challenge the status quo, and bring on board in their numbers people with character, and competence to redirect the African course.

“For as long as Africa continues on the path of very poor politics, a political culture that subordinates the common good for personal, private or narrow interest, there is no chance of Africa achieving economic development. This event underscores SPPG’s commitment to cultivating a new breed of leaders dedicated to improving governance in Nigeria and Africa. As Nigeria grapples with ongoing governance challenges, the importance of equipping leaders with character, competence, and capacity to serve the people cannot be overemphasised.
“So, if Africans need to transform our politics and we just sit back as citizens hoping that those who have entrenched poor governance as a matter of political culture will someday have a Damascus experience, we will wait forever. We have proven that people of character, competence, and capacity will enter Africa’s politics in great numbers. This will challenge the existing monopolistic pipeline of poor politicians giving bad governance.
“The graduation theme, “People, Politics, Policies and the Power of Words,” reflects SPPG’s mission to prioritise citizen engagement and foster a governance model centred on the needs of the people. We are dedicated to transforming politics and governance across Nigeria and Africa by training a new generation of political leaders with values-based, disruptive thinking. The ceremony will include keynote addresses from esteemed leaders and a celebration of the graduates’ accomplishments,” Ayida-Otobo said in a statement.

The School of Politics, Policy and Governance Announces Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024: Shaping a New Generation of Leaders to Disrupt Bad Governance in Nigeria