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We lost more than 100 members during the last strike….chairman asuu unimaid branch
We lost more than 100 members during the last strike….chairman asuu unimaid branch
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (asuu) University of Maiduguri (unimaid) branch Dr Habu Mshelia has said that over 100 of his colleagues lost their lives during the eight months strike in 2022.
He regretted that most of them died because they could not afford the treatment of themselves during the 2022 strike carried out by asuu under the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Responding to a question by this reporter during an exclusive interview, Dr Mshelia posited that the union has a comprehensive list of members buried during the eight months strike of 2022 under President Mohammadu Buhari adding that 50 was a mere understatement of deceased colleagues during that sad period.
“I can tell you we buried not less than 100 of our members and these are committed academics, Professors, PhD holders who have been serving the nation in this University. They all perished within the eight months of the last strike and the government is still indignant about our demands.” Said Meshelia.
Speaking on the recent loan the federal government dangled to members of ASUU to accept as an alternative to what they are being owed, he dismissed the offer as a mere distraction to their focus on getting what is rightly theirs.
” Let me tell you this. In the history of Universities globally, no where have we heard that academic unions are dragged into matters of loans by the government of that nation.
“Also to the best of our knowledge, that has never happened in the history of this country but it came up under this federal government and one thing we must tell you is that, we have our unpaid monies with them.
“We also have salary promotion arrears and three and a half months salaries unpaid yet all of a sudden, the same government is saying we should come and take loans. Loans for what?
“It means they have the money to pay our withheld salaries, promotion arrears and also to sign into law our agreement on the review of salaries of members but they refused to put pen to paper by putting all our demands aside.
” In view of this we reject their loan offer because it is just a method to further impoverish out members. We reject it vehemently. We are already indebted in many ways by our corporative and other sources so this will further compound issues.
“We just told you in the news conference that a retired Professor is given a paltry N150,000 after 40 years of service to a rich country like Nigeria. Is that not absurd?
“The average take home of Professors in other climes is around 3,000 to 5000 dollars. Therefore, if you convert his take home of 450k at the bar, and divide by 1500, what will be left with will shock you. The Prof is left with nothing. And this is why we are vehemently rejecting this loan of a thing they brought before us.” Maintained the chairman.
On the 35 percent wage award pronouncement made by the late President Buhari at the peak of the crisis to Professors, Dr Meshlia maintained that it was a tactical distraction against the focus of the agreement adding that “we don’t want to put so much of our weight on that and miss our focus.”
He emphasised that the agreement was paramount to asuu because it would shake the foundation of most of their pending challenges and the future of the entire University system.
Hear him: “what we are saying is that, we have come to an agreement with your subjects you sent to us, and before we discussed we examined and confirmed that they really came from you. We have negotiated our wages and you refused to sign the agreement.
“We are talking about increments that are our statutory rights. If they have done that to every one in the nation they can’t exclude us, it must be extended to our members, that is what we are saying.”
On security of his colleagues living on campus which is at the fringes of the Sambisa forest, Mshelia went on: “Our security first starts with our wages. If you give us a very good wage, then you are guaranteeing our security. If you don’t give us what is expected, that means you are overworking our members who are staying long hours where they are not supposed to be trying to meet up with extra work to take care of their families and that itself is overworking them.
“But if i must speak on insecurity, I would say it is a nationwide issue not only in unimaid. Universities were shut down in other parts of the country due to insecurity. But one thing you must give to us here is that throughout the insurgency this university has not been shut down but the govt has shut it down by itself by not meeting the demands of our members. The action of government is gross insecurity itself.” concluded the chairman.
The unimaid branch of asuu recently went on a massive campus enlightenment campaign aimed at calling the attention of their proprietor the Federal government to their unpaid salaries and matters arising from the unsigned 2021 agreement they had.
We lost more than 100 members during the last strike….chairman asuu unimaid branch
AT ARMED FORCES CELEBRATION AND REMEMBRANCE DAY
ALL IN HONOUR OF OUR NATION’S FALLEN HEROES
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima today represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day ceremony held at the National Arcade in Abuja.
Also in attendance were the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; ministers, service chiefs and other government officials.
The solemn event commemorates the courage and sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to the nation.
AT ARMED FORCES CELEBRATION AND REMEMBRANCE DAY
Technology enhances immersive reading experience in Beijing
By Shi Fang, People’s Daily
“Mr. Lu Xun, could you recommend one of your classic works?”
“If I were to suggest one, perhaps Call to Arms would be a good starting point…”
This conversation took place at the Metaverse Experience Hall of the Beijing Library. Supported by artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies, the hall offers visitors a novel approach to immersive reading and knowledge-based social engagement.
As one of three institutions under the Capital Library of China, the Beijing Library has introduced an AI-powered digital human modeled after renowned Chinese writer Lu Xun. Historically, Lu Xun played a role in establishing the predecessor of the Capital Library of China. Today, his digital incarnation symbolizes the library’s digital transformation.
“We developed the digital Lu Xun using AI technologies to provide guided tours, recommend books, and introduce local cuisine and cultural sites,” explained Fei Jun, professor with the School of Design, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and creative director of the Metaverse Experience Hall. His team conducted in-depth research on Lu Xun’s life and works to create a realistic and multidimensional digital persona.
In addition to the digital Lu Xun, Fei’s team created two other digital characters, “Tutu” and “2122,” each with distinct personalities: one childlike and the other futuristic. These avatars, driven by large language models, engage visitors in conversations about literature and everyday life. Since the library opened at the end of 2023, these AI characters have participated in more than 1.7 million voice interactions.
Seven-year-old reader Wang Jiayi eagerly asked “2122” questions such as, “Why did dinosaurs go extinct?” and “Why do maple leaves turn red in autumn?” Her mother commented, “The digital humans are engaging and informative. They genuinely spark children’s interest in learning.”
Entering the library feels akin to stepping into a digital universe.
Visitors can scan a QR code to verify their identity, customize their attire, and quickly generate digital avatars within the Metaverse. These avatars can navigate virtual spaces such as the Children’s Library, Ancient Books Collection, Art Literature Library, and Intangible Cultural Heritage Library, exploring venue information and upcoming events.
Readers also interact with one another via their digital avatars, sharing reading lists, exchanging book reviews, and bridging online and offline reading experiences.
Looking ahead, the library plans to introduce additional immersive features, including personalized virtual study rooms. “Our goal is to offer a multisensory experience — visual, auditory, and even tactile — so users feel as if they’ve entered a parallel world for immersive reading,” Fei said. His team is also developing an online version of the metaverse library, enabling remote access to its digital environment and vast knowledge collections.
“Beyond traditional print books, we want to create a technology-enhanced environment that sparks curiosity and encourages readers to explore knowledge in innovative ways,” said Li Nianzu, deputy director of the Capital Library of China.
Photo shows the Beijing library under the night sky. (Photo/Fan Jiashan)
Readers visit the Metaverse Experience Hall of the Beijing Library. (Photo/Fan Jiashan)
A reader interacts with the digital Lu Xun at the Metaverse Experience Hall of the Beijing Library. (Photo from Beijing Youth Daily)
Technology enhances immersive reading experience in Beijing
Rights Groups Condemn Demolition of Makoko, Call for Immediate Halt
By: Michael Mike
A coalition of national and international human rights, environmental, and social justice organisations has condemned what they describe as the “violent and unlawful” demolition of Makoko, a historic waterfront fishing community along the Lagos Lagoon.
In a joint statement released, the groups alleged that demolition activities began on January 5, 2026, and have continued despite outcry from residents and civil society actors.
According to the organisations, government-backed demolition teams have destroyed homes, schools, health facilities, and religious buildings, leaving hundreds of families without shelter.
Eyewitness accounts cited in the statement claim that security personnel accompanying the demolition teams used tear gas and excessive force against residents, including women, children, and elderly persons. Displaced families are reportedly sleeping in boats, churches, and open spaces along the lagoon as they struggle to find temporary refuge.
The coalition further noted that Makoko is not an isolated case. Over the past year, thousands of residents across several Lagos waterfront and informal communities—including Oko-Baba, Ayetoro, Otumara, Baba-Ijora, Oworonshoki, and Precious Seeds—have faced similar evictions. In many cases, demolitions were carried out without prior notice, consultation, or resettlement plans.
The groups also referenced past demolitions in Badia East, Otodo-Gbame, Maroko, Monkey Village, Ilaje-Bariga, and Ifelodun, saying the Lagos State Government has repeatedly ignored court orders restraining such actions. They alleged that several deaths have been linked to forced evictions over the years.
“The pattern reflects a systemic disregard for human rights, due process, and the rule of law,” the statement read. “These actions violate Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights obligations while deepening Lagos’s housing crisis.”
The coalition called on the Lagos State Government to immediately suspend all ongoing demolitions, respect existing court injunctions, investigate allegations of abuse, and provide fair compensation and adequate resettlement for affected residents.
They also urged authorities to adopt more inclusive, rights-based, and environmentally sustainable urban planning that protects livelihoods rather than displacing vulnerable communities.
The statement was signed by 23 organisations, including Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Policy Alert, WoMin African Alliance, and Norway’s Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, among others.
As of press time, the Lagos State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations.
Rights Groups Condemn Demolition of Makoko, Call for Immediate Halt
AT ARMED FORCES CELEBRATION AND REMEMBRANCE DAY
Technology enhances immersive reading experience in Beijing
Rights Groups Condemn Demolition of Makoko, Call for Immediate Halt
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