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FG appeals to NLC to allow registration of 2 new unions to exist with ASUU

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ASUU strike and imperatives for compromise in trade dispute

FG appeals to NLC to allow registration of 2 new unions to exist with ASUU

The Federal Government has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to rescind its opposition to the registration of two new academic unions in the Nigerian public university system.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Ministerof Labour and Employment, made the call in a statement signed by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Head, Press and Public Relations, in the ministry on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new unions are the Congress for Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and the Nigeria Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).

NAN reports that CONUA and NAMDA received letters of recognition recently by the ministry in Abuja.

However, in a letter to Ngige, the President of NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba, demanded for the withdrawal of the letters issued to the unions, is on the grounds that their registration contravened the laws guiding trade unionism.

Ngige, in his reply, on Oct, 12, had appealed to NLC to allow the new unions to exist in the spirit of Freedom of Association.

The minister insisted that the Trade Dispute Act 2004 gives him the sole power to register new trade unions, either by registering a new union or regrouping existing ones.

He reiterated that the new unions were offshoots or by-products of regrouping and their applications were considered by two committees of his ministry.

He said that this was with the Registrar of Trade Unions participating when the first recommendation for approval was given in 2019, and again in 2022.

He also said that CONUA and NAMDA were regrouped from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), for efficiency and effectiveness in the system.

The minister added  that ,more importantly, to protect these groups of university teachers whose worldview differs from the restive parent union.

“Comrade President, do not unnecessarily oppose the registration of these new academic unions.

“Because with ASUU, they are all like seeds on the academic soil of Nigeria and which will grow into big trees we don’t know, but the one which her trees are not bearing good fruits, we already know.

“So, as an uncle of the unions, oppose none in the spirit of Freedom of Association, ’’he said.

He said that it should be noted that Section 3 (2) of the Trade Dispute Act, CAP T14 gives the Minister of Labour and Employment, the sole power to register new trade unions, either by registering new trade union or regrouping existing ones.

He added that the matter was a subject of litigation in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in most recent case which the President of the NLC failed to mention in his narration of court cases,

“The case of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in most recent case which the President of the NLC failed to mention in his narration of court cases,

“The case of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) and the regrouped Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPAN) from NUP where the Law on Regrouping of Trade Unions was extensively explored and ruled upon.

“Unlike the cases cited by the President of the NLC to misinform the general public and unfortunately lead astray his affiliate Trade Union – ASUU,’’he said.

Ngige recalled that the NICN in a Suit no. NICN/ABJ/219/2019, buttressed its earlier ruling on the matter and which had stated inter alia that the power to register trade unions resides with the Minister of Labour and Employment.

He noted that the last segment of Section 3(2) does not refer to the regrouping of existing trade unions, hence, the differentiation within the section between registering a new trade union and regrouping existing ones.

According him, we note your reference to Section 5 of the same Act, which deals with the “Procedure on receipt of application for registration” of a Trade Union.

“Section 5(4) in Particular states that the Registrar shall not register a trade union if it appears to him that any existing trade union is sufficiently representative of the interests of the class of workers concerned-CONUA members were ostracised and de-unionised by ASUU.

“Do we as the “Competent Authority” on Labour matters, including trade union services, pay homage to ASUU and acquiesce to leaving a large segment of lecturers and academia un-unionised, without protection, without a voice, and without a right at work.

`Are these workers not covered by the same ILO Conventions nos. 87 & 97?”

On NAMDA, Ngige said that they are medical doctors lecturing in the universities  were against the incessant prolonged and illegal strikes by ASUU.

“They said the strike had disrupted medical training and caused consequential damages to the educational system and by implication, the quantity and quality of future medical doctors and dentists in Nigeria.

“They have been teaching and some have graduated their students since the 8-month old strike by ASUU which commenced on Feb 14 2022. Universities of Maidugri, Bauchi and Sokoto medical teachers are indeed patriots.

“Moreover, their peculiar needs are quite different from the rest of ASUU members and they are often left out on welfare and career progression in the universities – the core functions of a registered trade union,’’he said.

Ngige therefore, said the NLC President to desist from using his position to deceive the general public by misguiding them with mal-citations of Labour Authorities.

He added that, if ASUU feels aggrieved, they could approach the Courts for Judicial remedy as law abiding citizens just like the Federal Government through Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment.

“That is  by virtue of the powers conferred by Section 17 of the TDA,  transmitted the FG/ASUU trade dispute to the NICN for adjudication, due to refusal of the union to comply with the provisions of Section 18 of the TDA, conciliation having failed,’’he said.

FG appeals to NLC to allow registration of 2 new unions to exist with ASUU

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Education

2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

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2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

By: Polycarp Okoye

Headquarters (HQ), 2 Division Nigerian Army (NA), organised quiz and debate competition for Command Secondary Schools within 2 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR) for 2024/2025 academic session. The event was held at the Division’s Auditorium from, Monday 18 – Thursday 21 November, 2024. It afforded participating schools and students the opportunity to compete amongst themselves, featuring varied questions from different academic fields, including Information Communication Technology (ICT), current affairs and general Knowledge.

While declaring the one week event open, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Obinna Onubogu, noted that exposing students to quiz and debate competitions amidst their academic activities, remains a major driving factor that challenges their thinking mechanism, while redoubling developmental processes with appropriate and effective career prospects for achieving desired result. He said that, quizzes and debates, are empirically proven to reinvigorate continuous and effective education system that give students a break from the normal traditional classroom learning, and prepare them to excell in practical and realistic circumstances. He added that the academic competitions would serve as strong interactive and motivational platform for students to imbibe team spirit, acquire knowledge, and embolden their speech and communication skills.

General Onubogu, further said, that the competition was aimed at exposing students to critical thinking, and make them appreciate the importance of extensive research for improved innovation and intelligence. “This event, is therefore another forum through which schools can expand their students’ frontier of knowledge; making them even famous amongst their peers”, he said. He implored all students to utilise the opportunity to develope themselves, and as well earn glory to their respective schools and families.

The GOC, expressed deep appreciation to the Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oloyede, for his unwavering support towards the competition; while applauding the Director, 2 Division Education Services (DDES), Colonel AO Sofoluwe, as well as teachers and organisers of the event for their priceless contributions to human capacity development. He
urged the panel of judges to be fair and firm in order to ensure a balanced, honest and realistic result.

The participating students at the competition, represented Command Secondary Schools (CDSS) Odogbo, Mokola, Akure and Ijebu – Ode. Others were, CDSS Ede, Esan – Ekiti, Saki, and Ibadan. Students in the senior category, competed in English language, Mathematics, Phisics, Chemistry, Biology, General paper, and current affairs; while those in the junior category, slogged it out in English language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Basic Technology, Agricultural Science, General knowledge, and current affairs. After three days of intense intellectual battle, winners in the different categories emerged.

For the junior category, CDSS Akure and Ijebu – Ode came 3rd and 2nd runner ups with 139.95 and 141.1 points respectively; while CDSS Ede came first with 143.65 points. In the senior category, CDSS Mokola and Odogbo finished 3rd and 2nd positions, with 73.61 and 73.70 percentages respectively; while CDSS Saki, took the day with 77.50 percent. Winners in the two categories were duly rewarded with appropriate trophies, awards, and cash prices to motivate them, and increase commitment for improved future performances. Their teachers and organisers equally received cash gifts as appreciation for the efforts they invest in training the children.

The DDES, who delivered vote of thanks, appreciated God for sustaining the committee in its various engagements towards preparing for the event. He further thanked the GOC for his unwavering support; saying the competition was inspired by his (GOC’s) burning interest to ensure that NA schools across 2 Division AOR, and beyond, are well positioned to meet up global standards. Colonel Sofoluwe, also appreciated the Schools Commandants, organising committee members, panel of judges, and teachers for their contributions towards the success of the event. Principal Staff Officers, Units and Formations Commanders, as well as Officers and Soldiers of the Division’s HQ witnessed the competition.

2 DIVISION COMMAND SECONDARY SCHOOLS HOLD QUIZ, DEBATE COMPETITION 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

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Shettiman Fika establishes school for marriage education in Potiskum

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Shettiman Fika establishes school for marriage education in Potiskum

By: Yahaya Wakili

Abdurazak Abdullahi Usman. Shettiman Malamai Fika Emirate Council. A proprietor of Shettiman Malamai School for Marriage Education (SMSME), Potiskum, Yobe State. Abdurazak explains the aims and objectives of the establishment of this great school.

Alhamdulillah, the aims and objectives of this school can’t be overcounted, but I will shortlist at least five to six major and basic aims and objectives that I can list right now. As I always reason why our community settlers are so rop, we are very immoral in our businesses, labors, and public activities; even in our religious aspects, we are not morally sound. So where the problem is, I used to ask myself all the time where the problem is since we belong to the same and single homes, all of us. So my answer is that from that particular place we are missing morality, so we have to go back and settle that particular house that we come from; maybe, Insha Allah, after settling and addressing such cases, we would reproduce a moral community or moral citizens in our localities.

“As I am saying, when you look at our people around the nation, you will see widows, divorcees, and the young child moving around without a standard of living; this brings them to the hardship of living, and this pushes many people into immorality, so they may become something that is not good. So we intend to address such cases in our localities, calling the attention of our religious leaders, traditional rulers, the government itself, and other individuals to come and join our hands together to address these cases. When we address it, we would minimize the number of divorces and the problem of orphans and all the problems around us, this case of banditry, kidnappers, Boko Harams, thieves, and all the problems that we are encountering in this nation when we address the case of matrimonial cases and domestic problems. Insha Allah, by Allah’s will, all the things will be solved.

“Adding that, you will see a woman coming to you seeking assistance. She will say even if you will use her, just settle her problem; she will give you herself. This is very unfortunate. Our Prophet, Muhammadu Sallallahu Wa Sallam, said that when the issue of “Zina” becomes an unavoidable thing in society, wait for the Allah discipline and the consequences, so we are in the consequences now. So we have to come back and sit down and think twice about why these problems are increasing. Not even to stop at how they are, they are increasing, so we have to at least stop the problem even if we can’t declare all the problems we have to stop them as they are because we didn’t know the new generation would happen to them since we see what is going on right now.

So this and many reasons push us to the establishment of this school, to call it Shettiman Malamai School for Marriage Education at this Yobe, and even in Borno, Taraba, and Adamawa, there is no school like this one; this is the first one to be established in this 2024 year. We hear about Bauchi and Gombe; there was something like this some years back, but it did not even function well. We think and we are seeking Allah’s assistance to make this school stable, standard, long-lasting, and helpful to the community, to our government, to our nation, and even to the globe at large, Insha Allah.

About the challenges, As you already know, nothing is going without money. Our challenge is money; we have no huge amount to render all the services we intend or we want to deliver to the society. We have the “Zauren Sulhu, which is a guidance and counseling committee that will sit every week, twice a week, to settle the issues of couples or the issues of divorces, widows, orphans, and all the problems of matrimonial homes, so you have to give them something to ease their coming to the office and bring them back to the house, and this will not be without money.

Abdurazak maintained that, and after all, the school that we are going to give teaching and entrepreneurship skills to the women because we have many problems with the marriage is money, when the husband can’t afford his responsibility, so the more challenge will come from his wife:Give me, give me, you have not, you have not, so the shetan or devil gets the access to come and make problems in your matrimonial living, so the money is our more basic challenge to this education, but with Allah’s help, everything is possible, because we see the hands of our government come into these initiatives.

Shettiman Fika establishes school for marriage education in Potiskum

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BOSU VC PROMISES TO PLACE ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES ON AUTO GOVERNANCE

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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

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