“I will be firm, fair, and transparent in the discharge of my duties. UNN must not lag behind in the current technological revolution, characterised by the rivalry between OpenAI and DeepSeek,” he assured.
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) branch, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to implement all the components of the December 2020 memorandum of action (MoA), warning that failure to do so is a direct call for the resumption of suspended strike in the nation’s universities.
The decision was taken at ASUU-FUOYE branch congress and in reaction to the lingering failure of the Federal Government to honour the agreements reached with the union.
Principal officers present at the congress include; Olu Olu Olufayo, zonal coordinator, ASUU, Akure Zone; Yinka Awopetu, chairperson, ASUU-FUTA; Kayode Arogundade, chairperson, ASUU-EKSU and other leaders in ASUU, Akure Zone.
The statement, which was signed by the Financial Secretary, ASUU-FUOYE, Abayomi Fagbuagun, on behalf of the chairperson, Gabriel Omonijo, said the only thing that could compel the government to honour its agreements with the union is a strike.
“The government has not been sincere regarding the performance of Integrate Personnel Payroll Information System as a payment platform in that some lecturers of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti are owed salary and promotion arrears by the government.
According to him, the congress frowned at government’s insincerity in the implementation of the December 2020 MoA, most especially, the renegotiation of academic staff salaries and emoluments.
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“The current salary of academic staff is nothing to write home about when compared with what their counterparts all over the world are earning at the end of every month. The branch maintained that the only thing that could stop the resumption of strike is for the government to honour, most especially, the renegotiation components of the agreements as well as University Transparency and Accountability Solution.
“The branch has resolved that since the renegotiation has been completed, the only thing that could avert the impending strike is for the government to expedite action on the immediate implementation of the agreements reached with the union.
“ASUU-FUOYE, hereby, calls on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to honour the agreements reached with ASUU in order to prevent the imminent collapse of the educational system which is as a result of incessant strikes engendered by government’s laxity in honouring agreements.
“We are ready to speak the language the government understands to get it adhere to the agreements signed with the union. The government is hereby admonished to act fast before it is too late.”
Meanwhile, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma chapter, yesterday, called on Nigerians to prevail on the Federal Government to sign the renegotiated agreement, meet the demands of the union in the interest of the development of public universities and industrial harmony or be prepared for another industrial action.
The appeal was contained in a statement by the Chairperson and the Secretary of ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma, Cyril Ozeigbe Onogbosele, and William Odion, respectively, in Benin.
The duo said the union insisted the offensive and unacceptable negative disposition of government towards public universities in the country is unacceptable and should no longer be tolerated, henceforth
They urged the government to do the needful and stop the over-recited rhetorics of unfulfilled promises and commitment to education in the country.
“The only pragmatic solution to avert the impending strike is to sign and implement the renegotiated agreements.
“Rising from a mobilisation and sensitisation congress at Ekpoma, the university lecturers expressed strong resolve and readiness to join their colleagues in other public universities in the strike to compel the government to sign the renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU agreements and meet other demands of the union contained in the various relevant memorandum of understandings (MoUs).
Sun
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.
“A collective effort is required to place the institution on a steady path towards ethical and innovative learning. UNN must regain its pride of place as Nigeria’s premier university. We must rid the system of narrow-minded sectionalism and divisive tendencies that have eroded the enabling environment for research, comparative studies, and the adaptive application of new knowledge,” the statement read.
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.”
Why postgraduate students are ineligible for FG loan – NELFUND
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has clarified the eligibility criteria for the scheme, explaining why students pursuing post-graduate programmes are not qualified to apply for the facility.
Managing Director of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, gave the revelation while speaking on TVC’s Breakfast Saturday.
Sawyerr also addressed concerns regarding postgraduate students’ eligibility for the loan, explaining that the facility is currently only available to students pursuing their first degree.
“The way the President has set this up and the way he has insisted that this must work is that you don’t need to know anybody to access this loan. And that’s what we are doing. No connections, no long leg, no man-know-man. We are not going to allow it to happen. The President wants us to completely democratize education.”
Although repayments have not yet been received, the Managing Director assured that the Fund is developing a robust repayment structure to facilitate timely and effective loan repayments.
He said currently, postgraduate students are not eligible to apply for the loan, as the primary focus is on supporting students pursuing their first degree.
Sawyerr, however, offered a glimmer of hope for postgraduate students, indicating that they may be eligible for the loan facility in the future.
“Post-graduate students can’t apply for this loan. We have a lot of people in this country who are just trying to get on the first rung of the ladder as far as tertiary education is concerned. The funds we have are focused on those people who are looking for their first opportunity.
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“I congratulate those who have graduated who are doing their Master’s or PhDs, it’s fantastic. At some point in the future, we will be able to fund them. Today, we are looking for those who need us most. They are the people we want to support.”
He emphasized that while plans exist to extend financial support to postgraduate students, the immediate priority remains assisting undergraduates who face financial difficulties.
The Fund is committed to ensuring that students do not drop out of tertiary institutions due to lack of funds, and future adjustments to the loan scheme will be considered based on available resources and policy direction.
According to the Managing Director, revealed that more than 271,000 Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education have received a financial lifeline through the Federal Government’s Student Loan program since its launch in May 2024.
“Nigerian students are reacting extremely positively to the initiative. And as more disbursements happen, they are becoming more trusting. One of the interesting things going on at the moment is that President Bola Tinubu is restoring trust in the government. The students are receiving it well. We are transparent about what we are doing.
“In total, to date, we have about 271,000 Nigerian students who have either had their fees paid or their fees plus upkeep,” he noted.
As of Saturday, March 22, out of 521,000 students who have registered for the loan facility, approximately 438,000 have submitted their applications.
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