ASUU may suspend strike as FG backs down on IPPIS – Newstrends
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ASUU may suspend strike as FG backs down on IPPIS

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that may soon call off its over eight-month industrial action after the Federal Government has agreed to exempt its members from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Government has scheduled another meeting with the organised labour on Sunday to review the working agreement on issues relating to the Downstream Sector of the Petroleum industry and electricity tariff.

The meeting with labour will take place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

At Friday’s meeting with ASUU, the federal government’s side shifted ground on a number of issues, including the insistence that all the academic staff of federal universities must be paid through IPPIS.

With the resolution of the dispute on IPPIS, which appeared to be a major stumbling block to the conclusion of negotiations by both parties, the coast is now clear for ASUU to suspend its industrial action.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige however said that ASUU is expected to go and relay the latest proposals to its organs and revert to government so that the universities can reopen next week.

While reading out the communiqué at the end of the grilling seven-hour negotiations at the conference hall of the Federal Ministry of Education, Ngige said government had agreed to ASUU’s demand to pay their members salary arrears from February to June using the old salary payment platform, GIFIMS.

In a reconciliatory move, the government also accepted to wave the threat of “no work, no pay” and approve payment of salary arrears to the striking lecturers.

Ngige said, “The meeting agreed that the Federal Ministry of Education and that of Labour and Employment will look into the issue of “No work, No pay” as stipulated in Section 43 of the Trade Union Disputes Act, Cap 18 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 with a view to getting approval for the withheld salaries to be paid.

“It was also agreed that the mode of payment of those that had not been captured on the IPPIS platform between the months of February and June, 2020 be adopted for the purpose of payment during this transition period.”

In addition, the minister said that the meeting agreed that a suitable template to address all the anomalies identified in the previous processes should be handled by the Accountant General of the Federation, the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission and Vice Chancellors of universities.

The government also offered to increase the Earned Allowances to university staff from N30 billion to N35 billion or N40 billion and revitalisation Fund from N20 billion to N25 billion.

It said that Vice Chancellors are to submit details of Earned Academic Allowances and Earned Allowances to the NUC before November 30.

On the reconstitution of the federal government’s negotiating team for the 2009 agreement, Ngige said both were satisfied with the progress so far made, adding that letters have been issued to members of the renegotiation team.

He added that the meeting agreed the inauguration of the university visitation panels will be carried out as soon as the institutions reopened, while awaiting gazetting.

On his part, ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said that the union has received the new proposals by the federal government and that it would go and consult with its organs before taking a position.

“I don’t really have much to say as the minister had said it all. Government has given us offers and we have promised to go back to our organs to brief them and then come back to government. We acknowledge that progress has been made,” he said.

Ogunyemi said that ASUU would need till Friday next week to meet with its organs before reverting to government. The meeting was therefore adjourned till next week Friday.

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National grid collapses again, second time in three days

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National grid collapses again, second time in three days

 

For the second time in three days, the nation has been thrown into darkness as the national electricity grid experienced another collapse on Thursday.

This was announced on the official X handle of the National Grid, with a caption ”Another Grid Setback Experienced.”

The grid first collapsed this week on Tuesday as reported by many media including newstrends.ng. plunging the nation into a total darkness for almost 24 hours before it was restored.

The latest incident was also confirmed by many electricity distribution companies.

A statement signed by the JosDisco’s Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole, read, “The current outage being experienced within our franchise states is a result of a loss of power supply from the national grid. “The loss of power supply from the national grid occurred this morning at about 11:28 AM on Thursday, 7th November 2024, hence the loss of power supply on all our feeders.

“We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid supply is restored to normalcy. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we strive to serve you better.”

The Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) also confirmed the latest collapse in a message to customers.

The DisCo said, “Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today, 07 November 2024, at 11:29 hours, affecting supply within our network.”

IKEDC said efforts to restore power were underway in collaboration with key stakeholders.

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Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

The Disciples of Jagaban, a group supporting President Bola Tinubu, has defended the upcoming national prayers, emphasizing the need for divine intervention to help address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

The prayers, set to be led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, have sparked mixed reactions from the public.

While some, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have criticized the plan, others see it as necessary given current economic struggles.

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Adegoke Alawuje, National Coordinator of Disciples of Jagaban, stressed that President Tinubu’s administration faces complex economic issues that require more than just policy measures. He urged Nigerians to recognize the president’s accomplishments rather than focus on criticism.

“President Tinubu’s policies are not punishments but survival strategies,” Alawuje said. “Just like a caring doctor who continues treatment despite the patient’s discomfort, the president knows these efforts will ultimately bring relief.”

Alawuje also praised Tinubu’s administration for reducing Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio by 32% within 17 months, calling it a significant accomplishment. He encouraged Nigerians to continue praying for the president and his efforts to stabilize the economy.

Nigeria needs divine intervention for economic Stability – Tinubu Support Group

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Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow

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Lagbaja: National flag at half-mast as Remi Tinubu visits widow

 

President Bola Tinubu has directed that the national flag must be flown half-mast as Nigeria mourns its Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who died after a brief illness.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has paid a condolence visit to the widow of the departed Chief of Army Staff.

Secretary to the of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said President Tinubu gave the directive of the flag flying at half-mast on Wednesday.

A statement signed for Akume by Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director, Information and Public Relations Office of SGF (OSGF) read, “The President has directed that National Flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army Chief.”

In another statement, the First Lady expressed condolences, praising the COAS for his exemplified valor.

She stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. ”Throughout his career, the late Chief of Army Staff exemplified valor, patriotism, and unwavering dedication to the service of our dear country.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, children, family, friends, colleagues and associates.

“May Almighty God comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

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