Education

Poly lecturers threaten strike over N35,000 wage award

Published

1 year ago

January 29, 2024

Poly lecturers threaten strike over N35,000 wage award

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has asked the federal government to pay its members the N35,000 wage award approved for public sector workers to strike .

President of ASUP, Shammah Kpanja said polytechnic lecturers “are angry and agitating due to economic hardship.”

Kpanja lamented that government has only paid the N35,000 once despite saying the payment would run for six months.

The government approved the payment of N35,000 to public servants to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.

It commenced the payment in September last year with civil servants confirming the payment of the money to them.

Kpanja said: “Government has no reason for not paying that N35, 000 wage award, you know when this government came onboard , they introduced some economy policies, one is the removal of subsidy in the price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), and this brought about increase in prices of goods and services and this affected the condition of living of our members.

“With struggles from the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, and other stakeholders , the government agreed to pay as palliative the sum of N35. 000 as wage award for workers pending when the national Minimum wage will be implemented in March .

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“The agreement was that the wage award will run for 6 months effective from September 2023, but as we speak , the government only paid in September and now is January 2024, yet the government is not saying anything despite the harsh economic situation . Right now people cannot pay transport to their places of work and the small palliative you promise to give them is not forthcoming.”

He also said the government was yet to implement the 35 and 25 per cent salary increase for tertiary institutions workers.

He said: “The last time the salary of academic staff in the Polytechnics was increase was in 2010 and from that time till now, inflation has eaten deep into what was approved then , the cost of living has gone high, consumer price index has gone high and we have started the re-negotiation of 2010 agreement , along the one, government stopped the agreement but later increased the salary of chief lecturers in the Polytechnics by 35 per cent while other staff salary was increased by 25 per cent and the increments was supposed to take effect from January 2023 .

“Now it is January 2024, yet the government has not implemented that and seriously we are embarrassed and angry with the government. If the government has issued a circular that your salary has been increased, the best thing for them to do is to commence implementation but one year after we still don’t know what is happening.”

The union leader appealed to the government to address the issues raised, saying: “So we want to inform the government that the tension is high in the sector because members are agitating so we are begging the government to do the needful before it gets out of hand.”

He added: “We have given the government enough time to do the needful because our members are agitating because the economy is biting harder. We are going to call our NEC meeting once this window we have given the government doesn’t yield any positive result.”

Poly lecturers threaten strike over N35,000 wage award

(NATION)

Related Topics:Featured poly lecturers strike

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Education

Chicago University clarifies US visa revocation policy for international students

Published

2 days ago

March 31, 2025

Trends Admin

Chicago University clarifies US visa revocation policy for international students

International students studying in the U.S. may be concerned after recent reports of visa revocations.

However, the University of Chicago has provided clarification to help ease these concerns for students on F-1 or J-1 visas.

Revocation means your visa is no longer valid and cannot be used to re-enter the U.S.

The U.S. government can revoke visas, but this usually happens only in serious cases.

The United States recently instructed consular offices to expand their screening processes for student visa applicants. This also includes thorough social media checks to identify individuals who may support terrorism.

The U.S. Department of State has the authority to revoke non-immigrant visas, including F-1 and J-1 visas, if the visa holder has been arrested or convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) or similar offenses within the past five years.

While this may sound alarming, the revocation does not immediately affect a student’s ability to remain in the U.S.

Current status of students inside the U.S.

According to the University of Chicago, The U.S. Department of State may revoke non-immigrant visas (F-1, J-1, etc.) of individuals arrested for, or convicted of, driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, or similar arrests/convictions that occurred within the previous five years. Such a revocation also does not necessarily mean that the individual cannot get a new visa to come to the U.S.

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The institution also informs that a visa revocation does not impact a student’s current status within the U.S, only the visa sticker.

“It is important to understand that this requirement does not affect your status in the U.S., only your visa sticker. Remember that your visa is needed to enter the U.S., but once you have entered, your visa does not have to remain valid.  You must, however, have a valid I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS-2019 (J-1/J-2),” the university stated in its platform.

“If you are not planning a trip abroad in the near future, this requirement does not affect you, even if you have been arrested/convicted, until you do seek to reenter the U.S. after a trip abroad.”

The visa stamp is only necessary for entry into the U.S., not for staying in the country.

Impact on re-entry to the U.S.

While the visa revocation does not affect a student’s status inside the U.S., it does prevent re-entry to the country on the same visa. If a student leaves the U.S. after their visa has been revoked, they will not be allowed to return with the revoked visa.

They will need to apply for a new visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate before being allowed to re-enter the U.S.

How to confirm visa status

Students who have had a DUI or similar conviction since their visa was issued and are unsure about the status of their visa are advised to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued their visa.

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The embassy or consulate may send an official notice regarding the revocation, or students may find out about the revocation when traveling through a U.S. port of entry.

Advice for students planning to travel

For students with a revoked visa planning to leave the U.S., the institution recommends contacting the embassy or consulate before booking any travel. The embassy can confirm the validity of the student’s visa.

Additionally, students should consult with their school’s international student office and, if necessary, seek advice from an immigration attorney. If a student has dependents on F-2 or J-2 visas, their visa status may also be affected by the revocation.

No immediate impact on students staying in the U.S.

For those who do not have immediate travel plans, the University of Chicago reassures that visa revocation will not disrupt a student’s ability to stay or study in the U.S.

Students should continue to ensure that their I-20 or DS-2019 forms are valid and keep up with their academic requirements.

Chicago University clarifies US visa revocation policy for international students

Education

UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)

Published

1 week ago

March 26, 2025

Trends Admin

UNN appoints Prof Olayiwola Usman as first Yoruba DVC (Academics)

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has appointed Professor Kamoru Olayiwola Usman, a Yoruba Muslim from Oyo State, as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), marking the first time in the institution’s history that a person of Yoruba descent has held the position.

The appointment, made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor (Ag. VC), Professor Oguejiofo T. Ujam, is part of ongoing reforms aimed at fostering inclusive governance and restoring the university’s academic excellence.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the university reaffirmed its commitment to merit-based leadership and national unity.

Professor Ujam stated: “The appointment of Professor Usman reflects our resolve to prioritise competence over sectional considerations. It is imperative that we sustain this culture of inclusivity and meritocracy to move the university forward.”

In addition to Professor Usman’s appointment, the Acting VC also named Dr Mansur Adebowale Saddiq as Acting Director of the Medical Centre, further demonstrating his commitment to promoting excellence over sectional interests.

Both appointments have been widely welcomed by scholars and students from diverse backgrounds, recognising them as steps towards strengthening national unity within the institution.

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Professor Usman, who succeeds Professor Urama, holds a PhD in Mathematics Education and previously served as Provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo State, from 2015 to 2023.

A distinguished academic, he is a fellow of the Mathematical Association of Nigeria and a member of several professional bodies, including the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and the Nigerian Educational Research Association. His initial tenure as DVC (Academics) will last for two years, with the possibility of renewal.

Meanwhile, the statement also highlighted that during a recent University Senate meeting, Professor Ujam emphasised the collective responsibility of repositioning UNN as a centre for ethical and innovative learning.

Education

FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance

Published

1 week ago

March 25, 2025

Trends Admin

FG to pay corps members backlog of delayed N77,000 allowance

The Federal Government has promised to pay the backlog of the new ₦77,000 monthly allowance to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The corps members’ allowance was increased from ₦33,000 to ₦77, 000 in September 2024.
However, the new rate has yet to be implemented.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Monday said serving corps members and those in the scheme when the increment was announced in September 2024 would receive a backdated payment.
He gave the assurance when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He said, “You saw the new DG saying that you will get it, and they’re asking him a question ‘What about those that are going out now, are they going to receive it [backlog]?’ He said ‘We have your details’,” the minister said.
“The backlog, we will work on it and make sure it is paid. It may not be immediate but it will happen.”