Economy
SSANU, NASU Protest FG’s Failure To Meet Demands: JAC
SSANU, NASU Protest FG’s Failure To Meet Demands: JAC
SSANU, NASU protest FG’s failure to meet demands: JAC. The two unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), were seen displaying placards with different descriptions of their requests.
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have staged a peaceful protest over the federal government’s failure to address their demands.
Speaking during the protest on Thursday in Lagos, the NASU chairman, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Ayantoye Bukayo, said the federal government had been so “unjust’ in the way it treated the non-teaching members of staff in universities and inter-university centres.
The two unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), were seen displaying placards with different descriptions of their requests.
Mr Bukayo, who decried the federal government’s failure to address long-standing welfare and funding issues affecting their members, said the one-day protest was a nationwide exercise, as members of the union across the country were involved.
According to him, the contentious issues are the alleged unjust disbursement of N50 billion in earned allowances, the delay in renegotiation of the 2009 FGN and NASU/SSANU agreements, and the non-payment of two months’ salaries.
He said others were non-payment of arrears of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary arrears and non-payment of third-party deductions of the two months’ salaries (May and June 2022).
Mr Bukayo recalled that JAC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government on September 15 to address its concerns and extended it to another fourteen days, which expired on Monday, October 6.
“The injustice of sharing when it comes to earned allowances for staff of universities; we have teaching and non-teaching staff in universities and inter-university centres.
“But the FG has channelled its course on how to disburse these funds in a very barbaric way by allocating 80 per cent of it to only one union—the teaching staff, which is the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)—and 20 per cent to the three other unions, including SSANU and NASU.
“We believe that this is very inappropriate, and we say no to it. We want to urge the government to do the needful; we are not a nuisance, and we are not second-class citizens in the university system. We are very important; being non-teaching staff doesn’t mean we are stupid. We know the right thing, and we urge the government to do the right thing, or we will go on a full-fledged strike,” he said.
The acting chairman of SSANU, CMUL, Aladesokun Adegbola, reiterated the need for the government to give fair and equal treatment to all members of staff of the universities.
NASU Protest FG’s Failure To Meet Demands
Mr Adegbola urged the government to intensify efforts to pay the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary arrears, describing it as money the members of staff have worked for.
“We are the ones that started this negotiation of N50 billion earned allowance, and when the money was released, the way it was shared by the National Universities Commission (NUC) is unjust—80 per cent to the teaching staff and 20 per cent to all other unions.
“The non-teaching staff, being more in number, is supposed to take a higher percentage of the money. It is expected, if not 50/50, that SSANU and other unions should at least take 60 per cent because of their numbers, compared to other unions that were given 80 per cent.
“So, it is injustice, and we are calling on the government to give us our balance of N40 billion to complete the N50 billion we negotiated in the first instance because N10 billion was initially released to us,” Mr Adegbola said.
Similarly, the national executive officer of NASU, Tunde Aderibigbe, assured the commitment of the unions toward the welfare of members’ staff, emphasising the need for equal treatment for all the unions.
Responding to the protesters, the secretary of CMUL, Olayinka Olufemi-Moses, assured that the college management would support the union’s requests and actions, which would be geared toward the welfare of staff.
Economy
ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku
ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party, Others Brought Insecurity, Hunger, Says Atiku
ADC is Nigeria’s only reliable political party, others brought insecurity, hunger, says Atiku. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubukar says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only reliable political party in the country, noting that others have brought insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment.
Speaking in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba state, during the official opening of the ADC state secretariat, Abubakar said the party is ready for a 2027 victory but urged Nigerians to unite to rescue the nation.
He also asked Taraba residents to take part in the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise, adding that their participation is crucial to reversing Nigeria’s worsening hardship.
“I am in Taraba to inaugurate our new party office of the ADC, and I want you to hold the party with integrity,” Channels Television quoted Atiku as saying.
“Do not allow anybody to deceive you with any other party, because we have tasted other political parties, and they brought nothing but insecurity, hunger, poverty and unemployment. “The youths and women should know that we are doing this for them to have a better future, and I am holding on to their promise. “ADC will win Taraba state and win Nigeria as the only reliable political party.”
ADC Is Nigeria’s Only Reliable Political Party
Abubakar, who formally joined the ADC on Monday—17 months before the 2027 general election—said his experience across political platforms convinced him that the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties lack the capacity to rescue the country.
He resigned from the PDP on July 16, citing “irreconcilable differences” within the opposition party as his reason for leaving.
Akwa Ibom Governor Pledges Commitment To Tourism, Blue Economy Development
Akwa Ibom governor pledges commitment to tourism, blue economy development… commends Editi Effiong for projecting State’s tourism potentials
As part of his effort to encourage tourism and enhance the State’s blue economy, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to encourage and reward young professionals who are willing to collaborate with his administration in promoting the positive image of the State through the ARISE Agenda.
The Governor made this known while fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after embarking on inspection of a locale of a movie, “The Black Book 2” (Old Scores), at Ishiet Beach/Market in Uruan Local Government Area.
He commended the movie Producer and Director, Mr. Editi Effiong, for his talent, vision, inspiration, and creative ability to project the tourism potentials and boost the economy of the State.
Governor Eno charged young Akwa Ibomites to shun divisive tendencies, be inspired, and emulate the creative effort of successful Akwa Ibom sons and daughters by joining hands to develop the tourism and blue economy of the State.
“The impression is amazing, seeing that we have one of our own trying to pull the world down here.
“I would love to thank and encourage him, and to let our young people see that Akwa Ibom has what it takes to drag the world’s attention.
“It depends on what you see. Someone can see this place and write one story about a swamp that has been abandoned and make all the noise. Another person sees this place and makes a great movie out of it that will market this place to the world and is able to attract the attention because of the work he has done here,” he said.
The State Chief Executive pledged his encouragement, support, and collaboration with Editi and other young Akwa Ibomites to enable them rise to the zenith of their calling.
“We are going to work with him. Editi is a young man I have known very well. This is one thing I say to our people in the diaspora, let’s partner. Come back home, whatever you see out there, bring it back here, and let’s work together.
“I think that is the story, and I am really impressed. If you know the number of people that have visited this State in the course of this film, the talents, and the caliber of artists that have been here, then this young man deserves an award and our support,” he added.
Ibom Deep SeaPort
On his part, the movie Producer and Director, Effiong, appreciated Governor Eno for his visionary leadership and passion for tourism development.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for creating a hospitable and tourism friendly ecosystem to enhance talent exploration through the provision of good road network and quality modern facilities which distinguished the State as one of the most treasured locations in the country.
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
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