FG may break ASUU strike with another option – Newstrends
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FG may break ASUU strike with another option

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The Federal Government may soon call the bluff of the Academic Staff Union of Universities over the union’s insistence on getting the government to meet all its demands before ending its prolonged strike.

ASUU has asked students idling at home to get themselves busy with some vocational skills, travel and have fun, an indication that it is not ready to end the strike soon.

It also insisted on getting the government to adopt the union’s payment platform endorsed in addition to securing enough funds for the upgrade of the universities, apart improved salaries and welfare package.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the strike would be resolved by next week after the meeting between the Federal Government team and the union leaders.

He said if the matter was not resolved by then, government would explore the provisions in the labour law and other channels.

The union said the strike was over the failure of the Federal Government to keep to the 2019 Memorandum of Action between them as well as the disagreement over the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, which ASUU rejected.

Ngige, who spoke on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday, said the government had met six of the union’s nine demands and that they would meet again next week with the hope of ending the prolonged strike.

He stated, “Even if countries go to war, at the end of the day they come to the negotiation table. I’m inviting them (ASUU) next week. We are doing side meetings on our part and we are collating everything. I’m collating responses from the Accountant General of the Federation’s Office and everybody who has something to do with this matter.”

He also said, “By next week, we will conclude this matter. There are so many options left. We have the labour laws and I have options left to me in the labour laws. I have other channels.”

The minister said government had agreed to give the University Transparency Academic Solution, the payment platform proposed by ASUU, a trial.

He however said the feedback he got from the National Information Technology Development Agency, the agency mandated to follow-up the trial with ASUU, showed they had just concluded the first phase and that the second phase to assess the functional requirement of UTAS had not been done.

He added, “UTAS has yet to be ready but government will not discourage them. And we have told them there is no need using the same old method of strike to make demands since such had been deployed since 2017.”

On the revitalisation fund, he said government had agreed to release N30bn out of the N40bn demanded by the union as the payment for November 2019 and September 2020, adding that the remaining N10bn would be staggered.

Ngige said, “A committee that looked into the needs assessment of universities held a workshop on how funds could be generated came up with the recommendation that other things could be done to raise funds because revitalisation cannot be done through the budget, especially when the country is running a deficit budget.”

 

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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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