The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its over five months old strike.
ASUU Chairman, University of Lagos Chapter, Dr. Karo Ogbinaka told Channels Television that the union decided to suspend the strike after a marathon meeting held in Minna, Niger State capital on Monday.
In attendance at the meeting, which ran till late in the evening, were all the ASUU branch chairmen and secretaries, the national executive members of the body, coordinators and past leaders, including 56 members from 52 universities.
Dr. Ogbinaka said that, in line with procedures, the different chapters of ASUU would hold congress meetings on Wednesday to inform members and managements of the institutions of the latest development.
“We expect the students to resume and expect their members to go back to class immediately after the congress meeting and we expect the government to keep to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),” Dr. Ogninaka stated.
He said that the union and the government would hold meetings in 2014 to look at gray areas that may arise and come to a common ground.
The Federal Government and ASUU had reached a compromise during a negotiation brokered by the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar on Wednesday, December 11, which led to the signing of the MoU.
Speaking to journalists after the agreement with the government on Wednesday, the National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, said that the union would consult with its National Executive Council and would intimate Nigerians of its decision on the strike within one week, expressing optimism that the outcome of the consultation would be positive.
It was gathered that the MoU addressed all the resolutions that the leadership of the ASUU and the Federal Government agreed to in their 13-hour meeting with President Jonathan on November 4, as well as their widely criticised fresh demands.
ASUU’s demands include the upward review of the retirement age for professors from 65 to 70; adequate funding to revitalise the university system; progressive increase of budgetary allocations to the education sector by 26%; transfer of Federal Government property to universities; setting up of research and development units by the companies; and renegotiation of the signed agreement.
The fresh demands include a non-victimisation clause, provision and deposit of N200 billion infrastructure revitalisation funds in an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) details of disbursement of the funds and payment of salary arrears which has accrued to the teachers during the strike.
The Wednesday agreement between the two which is reportedly due for renegotiation in 2014 was reached barely 24 hours after the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe presented a proof of payment of N200 billion into an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Nigeria’s university lecturers have been on strike since July 1, 2013 to demand full implementation of the 2009 agreement it reached with the Federal Government on conditions of service for university lecturers, and funding of infrastructural development in Nigerian universities
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
WE HAVE LESS THAN 2MILLION NAIRA IN OUR ACCOUNT: EFCC
Mr Emmanuel Aremu, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's secretary has declared that EFCC, is broke and cannot pay salaries of staff and services of prosecutors to carry out operational functions.
Aremu disclosed this Monday, at a public hearing on A Bill for An Act to Establish the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency, NFIA, 2013, organised by the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Economic Crimes.
He said the financial challenges facing the activities of the anti–graft agency was as a result of what he called non-remittance of appropria-ted funds for the agency by the Federal Government over the months.
The EFCC Secretary said: “I could recollect when the committee paid us an oversight function visit.
“We did make our financial position known to the committee that EFCC does not have N2 million in its accounts.
“We have been complaining that no money has been released for us for operations.
“If we can afford to pay salary this month, that is all. That is the position under which we operate presently.”
He opposed the intention of the Bill in making Financial Intelligence Unit, FIU, currently a department in EFCC, an independent Intelligence Unit on its own, insisting that “FIU, in most climes of the world, is run as a secret operational centre at the background of a major body like EFCC as it is presently in Nigeria.
”FIU as intended by the Bill should not be exposed to the public as a separate body on its own.
“It should be kept at the background as it is in most climes of the world.”
However, the Central Bank of Nigeria, National Intelligence Agency and National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, all rose in support of the proposed bill.
Aremu disclosed this Monday, at a public hearing on A Bill for An Act to Establish the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency, NFIA, 2013, organised by the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Economic Crimes.
He said the financial challenges facing the activities of the anti–graft agency was as a result of what he called non-remittance of appropria-ted funds for the agency by the Federal Government over the months.
The EFCC Secretary said: “I could recollect when the committee paid us an oversight function visit.
“We did make our financial position known to the committee that EFCC does not have N2 million in its accounts.
“We have been complaining that no money has been released for us for operations.
“If we can afford to pay salary this month, that is all. That is the position under which we operate presently.”
He opposed the intention of the Bill in making Financial Intelligence Unit, FIU, currently a department in EFCC, an independent Intelligence Unit on its own, insisting that “FIU, in most climes of the world, is run as a secret operational centre at the background of a major body like EFCC as it is presently in Nigeria.
”FIU as intended by the Bill should not be exposed to the public as a separate body on its own.
“It should be kept at the background as it is in most climes of the world.”
However, the Central Bank of Nigeria, National Intelligence Agency and National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, all rose in support of the proposed bill.
DOCTORS STRIKE: DONT HOLD ME RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNED STRIKE: HEALTH MINISTER
The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Monday in Abuja declared that he was not responsible for the planned strike by the Nigerian Medical Association.
It would be recalled that NMA, the umbrella body of Nigerian doctors, directed its members to down tool as from Wednesday, following alleged breach of the agreement the body reached with the Federal Government.
The pact, among others, include far-reaching decisions on some challenges in the health sector, workplace conditions and the conditions of service of doctors.
The body had also called on Nigerians to hold the Minister responsible for whatever happens during the strike.
Reacting to the statement during the inauguration of the Boards of Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi; National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki; and National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, the Minister distanced himself from the position of the union.
He said, “Why would I be held responsible for the strike? Okay, I am now saying they should work so that nobody will say I asked them to go on strike. Actually, seriously speaking, there is no basis to hold me responsible, when I now imagine that each group feels I am not doing well for them.
“I know I am doing the right thing. It would have been absurd if only the non-doctors were accusing me; they would have said I am biased. If my colleagues are accusing me, this means I am for the truth. I don’t look at people’s face; what I want is in the interest of all Nigerians.”
“Of course, any of us can be a patient when strike commences. I am still pleading; we are still talking with them,” he said.
It would be recalled that NMA, the umbrella body of Nigerian doctors, directed its members to down tool as from Wednesday, following alleged breach of the agreement the body reached with the Federal Government.
The pact, among others, include far-reaching decisions on some challenges in the health sector, workplace conditions and the conditions of service of doctors.
The body had also called on Nigerians to hold the Minister responsible for whatever happens during the strike.
Reacting to the statement during the inauguration of the Boards of Management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi; National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki; and National Ear Care Centre, Kaduna, the Minister distanced himself from the position of the union.
He said, “Why would I be held responsible for the strike? Okay, I am now saying they should work so that nobody will say I asked them to go on strike. Actually, seriously speaking, there is no basis to hold me responsible, when I now imagine that each group feels I am not doing well for them.
“I know I am doing the right thing. It would have been absurd if only the non-doctors were accusing me; they would have said I am biased. If my colleagues are accusing me, this means I am for the truth. I don’t look at people’s face; what I want is in the interest of all Nigerians.”
“Of course, any of us can be a patient when strike commences. I am still pleading; we are still talking with them,” he said.
OSUN STATE GOVERNOR PRESENTS BILL TO CREATE ADDITIONAL STATES
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on Monday presented a bill for the creation of 27 additional local government development councils in the state to the state House of Assembly.
Presenting the bill, Aregbesola said the essence of the creation of more councils was to bring government closer to the people at the grassroots.
He said that the current councils in the state could not bring the desired results.
The governor said this was because they were too large to achieve what the administration intended to achieve through the councils.
He stressed that the only way to guarantee even development at the grassroots was to create new councils that would be precise, transparent and people-oriented.
“Sincerely, if this bill is eventually passed to law, the new development councils will not be a hindrance to the existing ones at all; it will just increase the quality of presentation at the grassroots.
“As law-abiding government, the creation was properly done in line with the stipulation of section 7 and 8 of the 1999 Constitution and it will co-exist with the existing ones mutually”, Aregbesola said.
The governor, however, enjoined the existing councils to be ready to make sacrifices as there would be a reduction in their emolument.
The Speaker of the house, Mr Najeem Salam, said the creation of the councils would improve the quality of governance.
He called on traditional rulers, community and religious leaders to point out any grey areas perceived in the structure of the councils to avert friction.
Reports says if the new councils are created, their number will increase to 57. (CULLED NAN)
Presenting the bill, Aregbesola said the essence of the creation of more councils was to bring government closer to the people at the grassroots.
He said that the current councils in the state could not bring the desired results.
The governor said this was because they were too large to achieve what the administration intended to achieve through the councils.
He stressed that the only way to guarantee even development at the grassroots was to create new councils that would be precise, transparent and people-oriented.
“Sincerely, if this bill is eventually passed to law, the new development councils will not be a hindrance to the existing ones at all; it will just increase the quality of presentation at the grassroots.
“As law-abiding government, the creation was properly done in line with the stipulation of section 7 and 8 of the 1999 Constitution and it will co-exist with the existing ones mutually”, Aregbesola said.
The governor, however, enjoined the existing councils to be ready to make sacrifices as there would be a reduction in their emolument.
The Speaker of the house, Mr Najeem Salam, said the creation of the councils would improve the quality of governance.
He called on traditional rulers, community and religious leaders to point out any grey areas perceived in the structure of the councils to avert friction.
Reports says if the new councils are created, their number will increase to 57. (CULLED NAN)
NO GENERAL ELECTIONS IN TROUBLED STATES COME 2015 SAYS INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it would not be able to conduct the 2015 general elections in states placed under state of emergency rule by President Goodluck Jonathan last May.
The commission’s Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ forum on the preparation and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections, organised by the Senate Committee on INEC.
Jega said that the decision by the commission was to avoid contravening the law.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in November extended the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to six months.
Jega, however, said that the commission was hopeful that the security situation in the affected states would improve before the 2015 general elections"
“We are working very closely with security agencies and our hope is that the security challenges in these areas will be long addressed before the 2015 elections.
The commission’s Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ forum on the preparation and challenges ahead of the 2015 general elections, organised by the Senate Committee on INEC.
Jega said that the decision by the commission was to avoid contravening the law.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in November extended the emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states to six months.
Jega, however, said that the commission was hopeful that the security situation in the affected states would improve before the 2015 general elections"
“We are working very closely with security agencies and our hope is that the security challenges in these areas will be long addressed before the 2015 elections.
OVER 1000 JOBS CREATED UNDER SURE-P
Deputy Chairman of the Subsidy Re-investment Programme, SURE-P Fund, Gen. Martin Agwai (Rtd) has said that the Federal Government has created 130, 000 new jobs under the programme since its inauguration in February 2012.
Speaking in Kaduna at a workshop organised by the National Planning Commisssion (NPC), with the theme “Developing Performance Management Plan for SURE-P Project Implementation Units,” Agwai, represented by the Fund’s Operations coordinator, Alhaji Ali Fatoma explained that 111, 000 jobs were created under the community service scheme and another 6, 000 under the maternal and child healthcare programme.
He added that 10,000 unskilled workers and 2,400 skilled workers were employed under the Public Works/FERMA programme, while 700 primary healthcare centres were rehabilitated across the country.
Agwai disclosed that the Sure-P fund was used to rehabilitate the western railway line linking Lagos-Kano route, and the 87 kilometre East-West road connecting Warri-Kaiama.
“Others that are ongoing include the 338 km Ahoada – Port Harcourt – Eket, terminating at Oron in Akwa Ibom, 296 km Benin-Shagamu road, 204 km Onitsha – Enugu, the 200 km Abuja – Lokoja and the 510 km Kano-Maiduguri road.”
He said the workshop was aimed at ensuring better performance in the utilisation of the SURE-P fund by the beneficiaries.
“Today’s gathering is just to monitor and evaluate what has been done so far.
“And with all this, a target has been set and deliverables are been identified and without monitoring and evaluation that cannot be achieved.”
According to him, no new road project had been awarded, stressing that the emphasis was on the completion of existing ongoing road projects.
“The money is constant, everybody knows, the contractor knows and the public knows what comes to SURE-P, money is now waiting for contractors, unlike before, when contractors will work and wait for money.
“So the challenge is for the contractors to perform and increase their capacity to really access the funds in order to deliver the roads.”
Agwai also spoke on the funds allegedly missing in running the programme.
“The 41 per cent, which comes to the federal government is managed by SURE-P committee.
“Our system is that every month, N15 billion comes to SURE-P, and in 12 months if you multiply that by N15 billion, is N180 billion.
“So since inception to date that is what we have been managing, we appropriate this, and manage the funds and also give out to the stakeholders and we have four or five ministries that we are dealing with,” he said.
Speaking in Kaduna at a workshop organised by the National Planning Commisssion (NPC), with the theme “Developing Performance Management Plan for SURE-P Project Implementation Units,” Agwai, represented by the Fund’s Operations coordinator, Alhaji Ali Fatoma explained that 111, 000 jobs were created under the community service scheme and another 6, 000 under the maternal and child healthcare programme.
He added that 10,000 unskilled workers and 2,400 skilled workers were employed under the Public Works/FERMA programme, while 700 primary healthcare centres were rehabilitated across the country.
Agwai disclosed that the Sure-P fund was used to rehabilitate the western railway line linking Lagos-Kano route, and the 87 kilometre East-West road connecting Warri-Kaiama.
“Others that are ongoing include the 338 km Ahoada – Port Harcourt – Eket, terminating at Oron in Akwa Ibom, 296 km Benin-Shagamu road, 204 km Onitsha – Enugu, the 200 km Abuja – Lokoja and the 510 km Kano-Maiduguri road.”
He said the workshop was aimed at ensuring better performance in the utilisation of the SURE-P fund by the beneficiaries.
“Today’s gathering is just to monitor and evaluate what has been done so far.
“And with all this, a target has been set and deliverables are been identified and without monitoring and evaluation that cannot be achieved.”
According to him, no new road project had been awarded, stressing that the emphasis was on the completion of existing ongoing road projects.
“The money is constant, everybody knows, the contractor knows and the public knows what comes to SURE-P, money is now waiting for contractors, unlike before, when contractors will work and wait for money.
“So the challenge is for the contractors to perform and increase their capacity to really access the funds in order to deliver the roads.”
Agwai also spoke on the funds allegedly missing in running the programme.
“The 41 per cent, which comes to the federal government is managed by SURE-P committee.
“Our system is that every month, N15 billion comes to SURE-P, and in 12 months if you multiply that by N15 billion, is N180 billion.
“So since inception to date that is what we have been managing, we appropriate this, and manage the funds and also give out to the stakeholders and we have four or five ministries that we are dealing with,” he said.
ASUU CHAIRMAN TO ANNOUNCE STRIKE SUSPENSION AT NOON.
There are strong indications that the strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities since July 1, will be called off today.
Feelers from a meeting by the National Executive Council of ASUU held at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State on Monday indicated this.
Though no official of the union was ready to confirm this, a source, who attended the meeting, said members of the union’s negotiating team had agreed to call off the strike.
According to the source, the National President of the union, Dr. Nasir Fagge, will address members of the press today at noon where he is likely going to announce the suspension of the strike
But before then another source at the meeting had confided in one of our correspondents as of 10pm that the NEC members comprising all the branch chairmen of ASUU and zonal coordinators were still deliberating on the issue.
The source said, “The meeting is still ongoing. No decision has been reached, but an official position of the union would be issued by the President the moment we are through with the meeting.”
The leadership of the union had last week after a meeting with the Federal Government representatives in Abuja, promised to end the strike within a week.
This came after the Federal Government provided evidence that it had domiciled N200bn in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the provision of infrastructure in the nation’s public universities among other sundry issues.
Feelers from a meeting by the National Executive Council of ASUU held at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State on Monday indicated this.
Though no official of the union was ready to confirm this, a source, who attended the meeting, said members of the union’s negotiating team had agreed to call off the strike.
According to the source, the National President of the union, Dr. Nasir Fagge, will address members of the press today at noon where he is likely going to announce the suspension of the strike
But before then another source at the meeting had confided in one of our correspondents as of 10pm that the NEC members comprising all the branch chairmen of ASUU and zonal coordinators were still deliberating on the issue.
The source said, “The meeting is still ongoing. No decision has been reached, but an official position of the union would be issued by the President the moment we are through with the meeting.”
The leadership of the union had last week after a meeting with the Federal Government representatives in Abuja, promised to end the strike within a week.
This came after the Federal Government provided evidence that it had domiciled N200bn in the Central Bank of Nigeria for the provision of infrastructure in the nation’s public universities among other sundry issues.
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