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Strike: FG feigns ignorance as SSANU, NASU vow to ground varsities

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2024

Strike: FG feigns ignorance as SSANU, NASU vow to ground varsities

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities and Allied Institutions will commence a nationwide strike today (Monday), to protest their withheld four months’ salary.

The National President of SSANU, Muhammed Ibrahim, informed The PUNCH on Sunday that the two unions were set for their nationwide strike.

But the Minister for Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said he was unaware of SSANU/NASU’s planned strike.

In a text message sent to one of our correspondents on Sunday, the minister said, “I am not aware of any planned strike. But I know the matter is receiving attention at the highest level of govt. I will get across to them.”

The Federal Government, implementing the no-work, no-pay policy, had withheld the salaries of university workers following a prolonged strike in 2021.

However, the Federal Government in February released four-month withheld salaries to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities but left out SSANU and NASU.

The two unions, in several letters, demanded that their withheld salaries be equally released and gave the Federal Government an ultimatum with a threat to embark on a nationwide strike.

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Speaking to The PUNCH on Sunday, the SSANU leader, Ibrahim, said, “The Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Government with the need to pay the withheld four-month salaries of our members in the federal universities and inter-university centres as done for our academic counterpart to no avail.

“As a matter of fact, the attention of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Education, was called to this injustice and unfair treatment of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.I/277 and dated 13th February 2024. We called on them to resolve the issue positively before it leads to an unnecessary upheaval in our university sector.

“In a similar vein, a press release was issued on 1st March 2024 and the Federal Government was given a seven-day ultimatum to do the needful in respect of the payment of the withheld four months’ salaries but nothing was done on the matter.

“Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to expire without any positive response from the government, this is to direct our members in the universities and inter-university centres throughout the country to commence a seven-day warning strike effective Monday, 18th March 2024 in the first instance.”

Also, SSANU National Vice-President, Abdussobur Salaam, said the government had not made any offer to the union since it started the agitation for payment of its withheld salaries.

“We have not heard anything from the government; they are not saying anything about payment of the salaries, no promises, no negotiation. We are not saying they should pay everything at once, at least they should show commitment, talk to us, and tell us when we should expect the payment, but nothing from them, they have been silent even after our warning strike press statement, still, nothing.”

Strike: FG feigns ignorance as SSANU, NASU vow to ground varsities

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Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

The American International School, Abuja, on Saturday, provided additional information and context to clarify the issues around its decision to transfer the school fees paid by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Contrary to some media reports suggesting that the institution was still in the process of turning over the funds, the statement clarified that it had actually done so, as recently confirmed by the EFCC Chairman.

In a brief statement signed by Head of School, Greg Hughes, the international co-educational institution, which was established in 1993, stated that “our compliance to remit these funds underscores our commitment to upholding institutional integrity and our respect for the national institutions of Nigeria”.

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It explained further: “Upon learning that the school fees we accepted in good faith were, in fact, part of an ongoing case with the EFCC, we turned over these funds in compliance with this federal commission’s request.”

The statement did not name Bello directly but the reference to “a family with children enrolled at the school” was clear enough in the light of recent media reports.

Citing the subjudice status of the issue as a result of the ongoing case between the EFCC and Bello, the school averred that “we will refrain from making any further comments at this time.”

Yahaya Bello: American school returns $720,000 advance tuition fees, gives reasons

News

NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

NAFDAC seals 50 Kaduna shops selling cooking oil in dirty environment

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 50 outlets in Kaduna State due to the sale of edible oil in unhygienic conditions.

The action was taken as part of a sensitization workshop aimed at educating dealers on Registration Procedures and Food Management. This information was shared in a statement released on the agency’s official handle on Saturday.

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The statement partly read, “NAFDAC has sealed fifty outlets in Kaduna for dispensing edible oil under unhygienic conditions, aiming to prevent potential health risks associated with contamination.

“The Director, North-West Zonal Office, Mrs. Josephine Dayilim highlighted the dangers of consuming oil processed in unsanitary environments, emphasising the risks of food poisoning, gastroenteritis, and even cancer due to inadequate processing and corrosive equipment.”

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Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Japa: 72,000 doctors dumped Nigeria last year, says MDCN report

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has expressed concern over the detrimental impact of medical practitioners emigrating abroad in search of better opportunities, revealing that 72,000 out of 130,000 registered doctors failed to renew their practice licenses in 2023.

The MDCN highlighted that only a meager 58,000 have renewed their licenses, emphasizing that such a trend will not only strain healthcare services but also overwhelm the limited available personnel.

Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the body, conveyed these sentiments on Friday during the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 20 newly qualified doctors at the Edo State University, Uzairue.

“The council has so far registered 130,000 medical doctors to practice in Nigeria since its inception 61 years ago and the council is mandated to regulate the practice of medicine, dental, and alternative medicine in Nigeria.

“But only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practising license in the year 2023 following the increase in migration of doctors outside the country,

“However, the doctors must meet the requirements to earn those increases in quota. We will partner with them to ensure that they meet those requirements, and as we try to ensure that, standards must be upheld,” he added.

Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar Dr Victor Kolawole, noted that the induction of the 20 newly qualified doctors would add to the existing workforce in the health sector which is being depleted by the day.

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She, however, admonished the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, warning that the council is mandated to regulate the activities of the practitioners as well as punish offenders.

The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Aluyor, while speaking, explained that the upgrade of the Central Hospital, Auchi to a teaching hospital has enhanced facilities for the training of the medical students and uplifting the standard of healthcare services in Edo North and its environs.

While commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for his unwavering support for the university, he enjoined the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession, saying he is confident that they would bring honour to the institution and MDCN.

“I urge the state government to sustain efforts towards improving facilities at Edo State University Teaching Hospital, Auchi.”

However, the acting Provost, of the College of Medical Sciences, Dr Kenneth Atoe, said 20 medical graduates from the college are the second batch of Batch B inductees.

He advised the newly qualified medical graduates to uphold the ethical standards of a medical professional, saying, “You must internalise the values of honesty, integrity, and selflessness.

“These virtues are not only essential for building strong doctor-patient relationships but are also integral to upholding the ethical standards and trustworthiness expected of a medical professional.

“By embodying these values, doctors not only fulfil their professional obligations but also contribute to the maintenance of public trust in the medical profession.”