Nigeria’s future is uncertain. Even more unclear is the identity of the leaders who will steer the nation in the coming decade. Will dynastic politics continue to define electoral trends? Do businessmen make the best politicians? The question we don’t ask and deliberate on today is what Nigeria leadership will look like in coming years.
Leaders, especially in times like these, are people who can inspire the public, change their opinions and attitudes, rather than working against popular opinion or inciting a bloody revolution. Nigeria needs a leader who understands Nigeria’s tailored needs. Text book solutions cannot be implemented directly; neither will trial and error work as Nigeria is a country with a complex set of problems. The leader, who understands her specific needs, would be able to steer the country out of the current dark situation. The question that came to my mind when for an example during the hay-days running up to the 2007 elections, The ADC presidential candidate Patrick Utomi was said to not be a “politician” because he has not been playing “politics” before. Why must all the leaders Present/future of the country be from the political sector? What about leaders in business, entrepreneurship, technology, science, health, education, rural development, urban development, human rights, legal reforms? Who says only a politician will be able to lead Nigeria? About time we define leadership in Nigeria more broadly to really reflect the diverse country and economy that we need to steer and put political leadership where it belongs –
Harold Pinter (Nobel Laureate) wrote and I concur “The majority of politicians, on the evidence available to us, are interested not in truth but in power and in the maintenance of that power. To maintain that power it is essential that people remain in ignorance, that they live in ignorance of the truth, even the truth of their own lives. What surrounds us therefore is a vast tapestry of lies, upon which we feed”.
As long as we remain ignorant and keep feeding on lies, tomorrow’s Nigeria is not going to be any different. It is more likely to be worse. Who is going to tackle the enormous problems facing the country? You name the problem, Nigeria got it.
1 Education. Literacy rate is abysmal after years.
2 Poverty. Nigeria had always been living on handouts from abroad.
3 Nigeria has many resources which are either not tapped or being misused.
4 Employment. The larger the unemployment, greater the problems we shall have.
5 Infrastructure. Nigeria has not improved on the colonial infrastructure.
6 Law and Order. I don’t have to enlarge on the mess Nigeria is in.
7 Politics. Nigeria eventually has ‘democracy’, but the way the politicians are acting it may not last very long.
TO READ COMPLETE STORY CLICK THE TITLE OF THIS PARTICULAR POST OR GO TO
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/charles-jiduwah/nigeria-youths-what-kind-of-leaderAs-tomorrow.html
BY;CHARLES JIDUWAH
Source; Nigerian village square
Showing posts with label Update news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Update news. Show all posts
OKONJO IWEALA SPEAKS TO NIGERIAN YOUTH
“I will never steal government money, I will never collect a bribe, I will never cover up fraud. I am not corrupt. I will vote in elections. I truly believe Nigeria can work. I will do my bit to make change happen. I love my country. I am the future. I represent Nigeria.”were the words Okonjo Iweala told the Nigeria youth who were present at the Future Awards ceremony usually organized for Nigerian youths who have shown great leadership or exemplary endeavors in their respective field.
During the presentation of the awards, Tolu Sangosanya went home with the award of Best Use of Advocacy while the Best Use of Science honour went to Ify Aniebo. Distinguished for Best Use of Technology was Bade Adesemowo as Debola Lewis went home with the Business owner of the Year award.
Other winners include Screen Producer of the Year, Kenneth Gyang; Team of the Year, African Youths Unite for Change; Style Entrepreneur of the Year, Linda Ikeji.
Star prize, the Young Person of the Year went to Miss Aniebo for braking boundaries as a research scientist outside the country. Aniebo was the youngest and only black person in the Wellcome-Oxford-WHO unit in Thailand and in the Malaria Department at the Sanger institute in Cambridge. She is presently researching on a vaccine for malaria while she is studying for a a PhD at Oxford University, United Kingdom.
During the presentation of the awards, Tolu Sangosanya went home with the award of Best Use of Advocacy while the Best Use of Science honour went to Ify Aniebo. Distinguished for Best Use of Technology was Bade Adesemowo as Debola Lewis went home with the Business owner of the Year award.
Other winners include Screen Producer of the Year, Kenneth Gyang; Team of the Year, African Youths Unite for Change; Style Entrepreneur of the Year, Linda Ikeji.
Star prize, the Young Person of the Year went to Miss Aniebo for braking boundaries as a research scientist outside the country. Aniebo was the youngest and only black person in the Wellcome-Oxford-WHO unit in Thailand and in the Malaria Department at the Sanger institute in Cambridge. She is presently researching on a vaccine for malaria while she is studying for a a PhD at Oxford University, United Kingdom.
Nigerian youth wait as Asuu and FG holds meeting
The Nigeria youh are waiting patiently once again, to hear what the outcome of the meeting today between ASUU and the federal government, it looks like all this meetings are becoming too much, because there has not been any significant positive result since the issue of the strike started.
THE Federal Government has set machinery in motion to return the striking university lecturers to classes, as Ministry of Labour will, today, hold an emmergency meeting with the representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to finalise talks on point of their grievances.
The ministry had, on Tuesday, placed emergency calls to the ASUU leaders for the meeting to be headed by the Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), who would not attend the Federal Executive Council meeting at the presidential villa(today) in order to attend to the ASUU delegates.
Adetokunbo made this known in Abuja as he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Labour, disclosing that the Federal Government had no problem meeting the demands of ASUU, having graciously conceeded to the lecturers’ demands.
He said the government had been good to the lecturers by agreeing to grant total autonomy to the Nigerian universities, accepting that lecturers should retire at age 70, fund the universities as well as increase the salaries of ASUU members as contained in their four-point demands.
The labour minister said it was ASUU that was playing hard to get by rejecting the 40 per cent increase in the salaries of lecturers while the union stuck to 109 per cent increase
The minister told the House of Representatives members that the government bowed to the demand by ASUU for salary increase by offering a 40 per cent lift, disclosing that while the Federal Government would pay as much as N105 billion to off-set the lecturers’ salaries, ASUU was insisting on taking nothing less than N175 billion.
All this talk is getting too much, yes we know dialogue is needed, but it becomes irrelevant, when there are no positive outcomes, How long do we have to wait more?
THE Federal Government has set machinery in motion to return the striking university lecturers to classes, as Ministry of Labour will, today, hold an emmergency meeting with the representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to finalise talks on point of their grievances.
The ministry had, on Tuesday, placed emergency calls to the ASUU leaders for the meeting to be headed by the Minister of Labour, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), who would not attend the Federal Executive Council meeting at the presidential villa(today) in order to attend to the ASUU delegates.
Adetokunbo made this known in Abuja as he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Labour, disclosing that the Federal Government had no problem meeting the demands of ASUU, having graciously conceeded to the lecturers’ demands.
He said the government had been good to the lecturers by agreeing to grant total autonomy to the Nigerian universities, accepting that lecturers should retire at age 70, fund the universities as well as increase the salaries of ASUU members as contained in their four-point demands.
The labour minister said it was ASUU that was playing hard to get by rejecting the 40 per cent increase in the salaries of lecturers while the union stuck to 109 per cent increase
The minister told the House of Representatives members that the government bowed to the demand by ASUU for salary increase by offering a 40 per cent lift, disclosing that while the Federal Government would pay as much as N105 billion to off-set the lecturers’ salaries, ASUU was insisting on taking nothing less than N175 billion.
All this talk is getting too much, yes we know dialogue is needed, but it becomes irrelevant, when there are no positive outcomes, How long do we have to wait more?
Minister for education pleads on behalf of Nigerian youth
THE Federal Government, on Monday, refuted claim by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) that it had planned to introduce N180,000 tuition fees for each student per session in the federal universities in the country.
Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, reacting to the development in Abuja that culminated into the indefinite strike by the union, on Monday, said it was an attempt to blackmail the government.
Egwu, however, appealed to the striking university lecturers to return to class in the interest of the Nigerian children, assuring that the government was doing all it could within the limit of its resources to resolve all the issues amicably.
SSANU, President, Comrade Promise Adewusi, rising from the union’s National Executive Council Meeting, told journalists, on Sunday, that the Federal Government was planning to introduce outrageous N180,000 tuition fees per session in federal universities, which was rejected by the union.
Dr. Egwu, at the news conference in Abuja, said: “I wish to assure you and all Nigerians that this was not an issue during the re-negotiations referred to by SSANU.
“For the sake of emphasis, government has never contemplated nor has it introduced tuition fees in federal tertiary institutions. I, therefore, consider this a deliberate attempt on the part of SSANU to blackmail the government,” he stated.
The truth of the matter is we need fast action rather than pleads, disagreement and conflict, something can be done or Nigerian youth dont you think so????
Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, reacting to the development in Abuja that culminated into the indefinite strike by the union, on Monday, said it was an attempt to blackmail the government.
Egwu, however, appealed to the striking university lecturers to return to class in the interest of the Nigerian children, assuring that the government was doing all it could within the limit of its resources to resolve all the issues amicably.
SSANU, President, Comrade Promise Adewusi, rising from the union’s National Executive Council Meeting, told journalists, on Sunday, that the Federal Government was planning to introduce outrageous N180,000 tuition fees per session in federal universities, which was rejected by the union.
Dr. Egwu, at the news conference in Abuja, said: “I wish to assure you and all Nigerians that this was not an issue during the re-negotiations referred to by SSANU.
“For the sake of emphasis, government has never contemplated nor has it introduced tuition fees in federal tertiary institutions. I, therefore, consider this a deliberate attempt on the part of SSANU to blackmail the government,” he stated.
The truth of the matter is we need fast action rather than pleads, disagreement and conflict, something can be done or Nigerian youth dont you think so????
Awolowo's legacy and the Nigerian youth lecture Begins
THE Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Dialogue, in collaboration with the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, will hold a Centennial lecture to celebrate the sage, today and tomorrow. The lecture on the theme “The Awolowo Legacy and the Youth,” will be held at the Oduduwa Hall of the university.
A release by the committee stated that the Vice Chancellor of OAU, Professor Michael Faborode, would be the chairman on the occasion while the keynote addresses would be delivered by Chief Anthony Enahoro on the topic: “The making of a Legacy”. Dr. Wale Adebanwi would speak on “The Future of the Legacy: Challenges and Prospects.”
Other activities slated for the event include Governors’ Roundtable ‘Sustaining the legacy’, to be chaired by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi. The second plenary session on the theme “Strength from the Past” would be chaired by General Alani Akinrinade.
Expected to lead the discourse at the second session are Professor David Oke, Professor Sam Aluko, Professor Femi Mimiko and Professor W. Alade Fawole.
The speaker at the luncheon which holds between 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. is Chief Pere Ajunwa, while the dinner and award ceremony begins at 7.00 p.m.
Activities on the second day will be chaired by Professor A. A. B. Agbaje. The theme of the lecture for the day is “The Future of the Awo Legacy” and the speakers are Professor Kayode Soremekun, Ambassador Isaac Aluko-Olokun, Professor Ademola Popoola and Professor Sola Akinrinade.
The speaker at the luncheon is Mr. Ituah Ighodalo and the final plenary theme is “Towards a Brighter Tomorrow” — Youth Forum. It will be chaired and moderated by Dr. Lateef Durosinmi, while the speakers are the Students Union presidents of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Ibadan, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Adekunle Ajasin University and University of Ado-Ekiti.
Music will be supplied by Yinka Davies in the evening to round off the two-day activities.
Nigerian Youth student's stay@ home prolonged
THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the Federal Government of employing propaganda and distortion of facts on issues that led to the current strike in the public universities.
The union also said it was yet to receive any order from the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), asking it to go back to the classrooms. The chairman of ASUU, Ilorin Zone, Professor Eddy Olanipekun, said in Akure at the weekend, that instead of addressing the issues that led to the strike, the Federal Government was only chasing shadow.
He said the allegation that the union wanted the Federal Government to provide the quantum of money needed to fund the university system in the country, was not true.
He however, said the union had agreed with the Federal Government’s team that the injection of funds in the country should be in phases until the minimum 26 per cent target was attained.
ASUU said, “It is therefore not true, as being branded in some quarters, that the union wanted government to produce the quantum of funds required to fund the education system at once. It is also not true that government cannot find the resources from which to make the required level of funding available.
“The issue of conditions of service for academic staff of Nigerian universities has been unduly politicised. The propaganda of government, which has been projected in many press and media briefings by government functionaries, is that ASUU members are only concerned about their salaries and conditions of service
Please, Please and Please we are tired of all this talk, can something be done, Nigerian youths can keep staying at home
Also watch out for the news of Federal government increasing student tution in federal universities to 180,000 per session.......VERY FUNNY
The union also said it was yet to receive any order from the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), asking it to go back to the classrooms. The chairman of ASUU, Ilorin Zone, Professor Eddy Olanipekun, said in Akure at the weekend, that instead of addressing the issues that led to the strike, the Federal Government was only chasing shadow.
He said the allegation that the union wanted the Federal Government to provide the quantum of money needed to fund the university system in the country, was not true.
He however, said the union had agreed with the Federal Government’s team that the injection of funds in the country should be in phases until the minimum 26 per cent target was attained.
ASUU said, “It is therefore not true, as being branded in some quarters, that the union wanted government to produce the quantum of funds required to fund the education system at once. It is also not true that government cannot find the resources from which to make the required level of funding available.
“The issue of conditions of service for academic staff of Nigerian universities has been unduly politicised. The propaganda of government, which has been projected in many press and media briefings by government functionaries, is that ASUU members are only concerned about their salaries and conditions of service
Please, Please and Please we are tired of all this talk, can something be done, Nigerian youths can keep staying at home
Also watch out for the news of Federal government increasing student tution in federal universities to 180,000 per session.......VERY FUNNY
PRESIDENT OBAMA SPEAKS TO AFRICANS ON LEADERSHIP
UNITED States President, Barack Obama has, again, used the Kenyan example to impress upon the African leadership on the need for policy change.
This was made during a meeting with leaders of Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria, Libya and Ethiopia at the close of the Group of Eight summit at the l’Aquila town of Italy on Friday.This was the second time he was making reference to Kenya to urge good governance in Africa.The US president also acknowledged the discussions with the African leaders during a press conference after the meeting reiterating:The US president is said to have shared that when his father, Barack Obama Sr., left Kenya, the country’s GDP was higher than that of Korea. He added that South Korea was now industrialised and relatively wealthy while Kenya, as well as much of Africa, is still struggling economically.
CURLED FROM TRIBUNE NIGERIA.
This was made during a meeting with leaders of Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria, Libya and Ethiopia at the close of the Group of Eight summit at the l’Aquila town of Italy on Friday.This was the second time he was making reference to Kenya to urge good governance in Africa.The US president also acknowledged the discussions with the African leaders during a press conference after the meeting reiterating:The US president is said to have shared that when his father, Barack Obama Sr., left Kenya, the country’s GDP was higher than that of Korea. He added that South Korea was now industrialised and relatively wealthy while Kenya, as well as much of Africa, is still struggling economically.
CURLED FROM TRIBUNE NIGERIA.
DYDM TALKS ABOUT HIV/AIDS
DIGNIFIED Youth Development Mission (DYDM), a non-governmental and non-profit organisation has enlightened Nigerian youths on the peril in unhealthy addiction and HIV/AIDS.
The organisation enlightened the youths during the 2009 Dignified Youth Rally, themed “Repositioning for Outstanding Success,” at the New Lecture Theatre, North Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan recently.
The director of the organisation, Dr. (Mrs.) Bola Adeniyi, during her lecture on “Dignified Youth and Unhealthy Addiction” discussed the peril in unhealthy addiction, while suggesting ways out. She also gave a pictorial lecture on HIV/AIDS.
She noted that for any youth to record outstanding success, he must totally avoid any form of unhealthy addiction and abstain from casual sex and the usage of unsterilised sharp objects.
The organisation, however, gave educational endowment to five orphans. The endowment according to Dr. Adeniyi, was to empower the youth academically, thereby reducing the spate of social vices in the society.
Meanwhile, the team of the DYDM had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Professor Moshood Nasaar, to intimate him with the organisation, while the latter gave an assurance of total support.
The participants called for the establishment of the organisation in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The organisation enlightened the youths during the 2009 Dignified Youth Rally, themed “Repositioning for Outstanding Success,” at the New Lecture Theatre, North Campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan recently.
The director of the organisation, Dr. (Mrs.) Bola Adeniyi, during her lecture on “Dignified Youth and Unhealthy Addiction” discussed the peril in unhealthy addiction, while suggesting ways out. She also gave a pictorial lecture on HIV/AIDS.
She noted that for any youth to record outstanding success, he must totally avoid any form of unhealthy addiction and abstain from casual sex and the usage of unsterilised sharp objects.
The organisation, however, gave educational endowment to five orphans. The endowment according to Dr. Adeniyi, was to empower the youth academically, thereby reducing the spate of social vices in the society.
Meanwhile, the team of the DYDM had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Professor Moshood Nasaar, to intimate him with the organisation, while the latter gave an assurance of total support.
The participants called for the establishment of the organisation in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY'S (OAU) CETENARY DIALOGUE
A special Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Dialogue is being jointly organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. This is intended to be a dialogue involving the Nigerian youth and the generation of their parents and it is entitled: “The Awolowo legacy and the youth.A statement by Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu said the dialogue would take place in the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on July 21 and July 22, 2009, adding it was intended to encourage an open discussion of the Awo legacy in all its ramifications and its enduring relevance as a potent strategy for addressing the problems of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.
Following two agenda-setting keynote addresses, presentations are structured to examine the philosophical underpinning of the Awo legacy, strengths, challenges and achievements from the past, present efforts, to move the development agenda forward and, finally, a prescription of feasible strategies to move the vision into the future, in the light of current and predicted national and global challenges and opportunities.
The keynote addresses will be presented by elder statesman and key member of Chief Awolowo’s legendary cabinet in the defunct Western Region, Chief Anthony Enahoro, who will speak on “The making of a legacy,” and a young scholar, Dr. Wale Adebanwi, who will speak on “The future of the legacy: Challenges and opportunities.” This will be immediately followed by a Governors’ Roundtable on the theme, “Sustaining the Legacy.”
The second and third plenary sessions will each be led by Nigerians, who understand the problems and the final session will be a youth forum entitled, “Towards a brighter tomorrow,” and will be led by undergraduates from five universities, whose analyses will reflect their own generation’s perception, awareness and hopes.
An award ceremony to honour some of those who have contributed immeasurably to the founding and development of Obafemi Awolowo University, an institution which is a quintessential legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is also part of the programme.
Following two agenda-setting keynote addresses, presentations are structured to examine the philosophical underpinning of the Awo legacy, strengths, challenges and achievements from the past, present efforts, to move the development agenda forward and, finally, a prescription of feasible strategies to move the vision into the future, in the light of current and predicted national and global challenges and opportunities.
The keynote addresses will be presented by elder statesman and key member of Chief Awolowo’s legendary cabinet in the defunct Western Region, Chief Anthony Enahoro, who will speak on “The making of a legacy,” and a young scholar, Dr. Wale Adebanwi, who will speak on “The future of the legacy: Challenges and opportunities.” This will be immediately followed by a Governors’ Roundtable on the theme, “Sustaining the Legacy.”
The second and third plenary sessions will each be led by Nigerians, who understand the problems and the final session will be a youth forum entitled, “Towards a brighter tomorrow,” and will be led by undergraduates from five universities, whose analyses will reflect their own generation’s perception, awareness and hopes.
An award ceremony to honour some of those who have contributed immeasurably to the founding and development of Obafemi Awolowo University, an institution which is a quintessential legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is also part of the programme.
ASSU'S REQUEST ON THE MOVE
Three of the four major demands of the striking Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities [ASUU] were accepted by the Federal Executive Council [FEC] at its meeting in Abuja yesterday, with government saying it was still studying the fourth, very important demand for a wage hike. Speaking after the FEC meeting, Information and Communications Minister Professor Dora Akunyili said "Government has accepted autonomy for the universities, increased funding and approved 70 years as the retirement age for lecturers." With regards to ASUU's first demand, a 109 percent pay hike for university teachers, Akunyili said "that one is being discussed."She said, "We must first go and look at what we have, the nitty gritty of it, our revenue profile. Can we afford it?"
She was however confident that the matter would soon be resolved, saying, "We will soon get to the end of it by the grace of God. It's a matter of dialogue, and dialogue is never automatic."According to Akunyili, President Umaru Yar'Adua would hold a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the issue of salary increment for the striking ASUU members before a final decision is made. She also said no one is happy that the universities are closed by the ASUU strike.
A big thank you to those who are making things work, its really wonderful, this is good news, we only hope it would finally be resolved soon.
She was however confident that the matter would soon be resolved, saying, "We will soon get to the end of it by the grace of God. It's a matter of dialogue, and dialogue is never automatic."According to Akunyili, President Umaru Yar'Adua would hold a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the issue of salary increment for the striking ASUU members before a final decision is made. She also said no one is happy that the universities are closed by the ASUU strike.
A big thank you to those who are making things work, its really wonderful, this is good news, we only hope it would finally be resolved soon.
Former Tribune M.D's Advice for Nigerian youth
NIGERIAN youths have been advised to make the fear of God their priority. The former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc., Pastor Segun Olatunji, gave the advice, on Saturday, while speaking at a programme organised by The Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF) and The Redeemed Christian Corpers Fellowship (RCCF) at Delta State University, Abraka.
Pastor Olatunji said, “it is only when you allign your life with the purpose of God that the plans of God can come to pass in your life.
“If you leave God out of your life, no matter how gifted or talented you are, you will end your journey on earth in sorrow.” He also admonished the students and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to make goalsetting a cardinal part of their lives, as the best in them would not come out unless they constantly set and achieved God-inspired goals.
“There is a part of your brains that is designed for setting and achieving goals. Unless you constantly use it, you will be performing well below your potential, which will make for regrets later in life,” he said.
curled from tribune
Pastor Olatunji said, “it is only when you allign your life with the purpose of God that the plans of God can come to pass in your life.
“If you leave God out of your life, no matter how gifted or talented you are, you will end your journey on earth in sorrow.” He also admonished the students and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to make goalsetting a cardinal part of their lives, as the best in them would not come out unless they constantly set and achieved God-inspired goals.
“There is a part of your brains that is designed for setting and achieving goals. Unless you constantly use it, you will be performing well below your potential, which will make for regrets later in life,” he said.
curled from tribune
Nigerian government and Asuu Strike
THERE are no indications that the present strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has paralysed academic activities in the nation’s universities will end soon as the Federal Government, on Tuesday, refused to accede to the lecturers’ demand for 109 per cent pay rise.
According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, the salary demand was unrealistic, especially against the fact that there were other sectors which had also demanded for salary increases.
The minister, who was speaking at an interactive session with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its national headquarters, in Abuja, also observed that the current global meltdown and shortfall in the production of crude oil, arising from the activities of Niger Delta militants, meant that government could not meet such a demand.
According to him, “Mr. President approved that there should be an inter ministerial committee to look at this salary issue, because as you are talking of salary for ASUU, mind you, the Nigeria Labour Congress is also talking of salary for every member of the public service. The medical sector is also demanding. So, it is not something that can be done and we have not considered the other people demanding for salary increases.”
Itemising the four key demands of the striking lecturers, he noted that most of them had been implemented by the present administration. According to Dr. Egwu, “the only issue that is outstanding is salaries. They are asking government to pay academic staff 109 per cent of what they are receiving now. In other words, 109 per cent should be their new salary.
“Government is saying inasmuch as there is nothing bad in paying academics that amount, you have to pay something that is realistic and sustainable. Something they can pay today, tomorrow and next tomorrow. Something they can pay and they will be very happy that they are also touching other needs of the country. That is where we are now,” he stated.
The meeting between the leadership of ASUU and the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, called by the Senate Committee on Education, Mrs. Joy Emordi, was, on Tuesday, deadlocked as both of them refused to shift grounds.
However, at the time of sending this report, both of them were in a closed door meeting with the Senate Committee on Education deliberating on whether they could still find a solution.
The ASUU team, was led by the National Chairman, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, and assisted by Dr. Dipo Fasina, Dr. Abdullahi Sule Kano and Dr. Nasiru Isa Fagge, among others, while the Minister of Education led his own team.
At the open meeting, which was presided over by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Professor Awuzie informed the committee that there was an agreement contrary to the position of the minister.
How long shall we wait at home, loosing more time before the government and Asuu agrees on something to do?
According to the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, the salary demand was unrealistic, especially against the fact that there were other sectors which had also demanded for salary increases.
The minister, who was speaking at an interactive session with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its national headquarters, in Abuja, also observed that the current global meltdown and shortfall in the production of crude oil, arising from the activities of Niger Delta militants, meant that government could not meet such a demand.
According to him, “Mr. President approved that there should be an inter ministerial committee to look at this salary issue, because as you are talking of salary for ASUU, mind you, the Nigeria Labour Congress is also talking of salary for every member of the public service. The medical sector is also demanding. So, it is not something that can be done and we have not considered the other people demanding for salary increases.”
Itemising the four key demands of the striking lecturers, he noted that most of them had been implemented by the present administration. According to Dr. Egwu, “the only issue that is outstanding is salaries. They are asking government to pay academic staff 109 per cent of what they are receiving now. In other words, 109 per cent should be their new salary.
“Government is saying inasmuch as there is nothing bad in paying academics that amount, you have to pay something that is realistic and sustainable. Something they can pay today, tomorrow and next tomorrow. Something they can pay and they will be very happy that they are also touching other needs of the country. That is where we are now,” he stated.
The meeting between the leadership of ASUU and the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, called by the Senate Committee on Education, Mrs. Joy Emordi, was, on Tuesday, deadlocked as both of them refused to shift grounds.
However, at the time of sending this report, both of them were in a closed door meeting with the Senate Committee on Education deliberating on whether they could still find a solution.
The ASUU team, was led by the National Chairman, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, and assisted by Dr. Dipo Fasina, Dr. Abdullahi Sule Kano and Dr. Nasiru Isa Fagge, among others, while the Minister of Education led his own team.
At the open meeting, which was presided over by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Professor Awuzie informed the committee that there was an agreement contrary to the position of the minister.
How long shall we wait at home, loosing more time before the government and Asuu agrees on something to do?
ASUU STRIKES AGAIN
ASUU is on strike again, i wonder if any academic year can go by without ASUU going on strike, its really disheartening as this one of the major reasons why 4year course in Nigerian public universities is prolonged to about 6 or 7 years. well reports says that; THE Senate on Monday, in Abuja, summoned the officials of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, over the on going strike embarked upon by ASUU which has paralysed activities in the government owned universities. The leadership of ASUU and the minister who are expected at the Senate today (Tuesday), are to explain the disagreement between the government and ASUU over an alleged agreement reached with ASUU.
The Chairman, Senate committee on Education, Mrs. Joy Emodi, disclosed this in on Monday in Abuja. Senator Emodi pleaded with the university teachers to have a re-think and consider the students, most especially the final year students.
She called on them to believe in the ability of the government to address the issues at hand, noting that the President, Vice-President, the minister of education and the two chairmen of the National Assembly committees of education, were themselves former teachers.
According to her “Once they agree on something, they have to sign it,” she said in disapproval of the government’s reluctance to sign the agreement.
“But apart from that, they have actually started operating some parts of the agreement like the autonomy in the appointment of vice-chancellors as the government now allows the governing councils of the universities to have a free hand.”
She added that “the crux of the matter now has to do with the condition of service. It is my opinion that every right thinking Nigerian should support very good, attractive conditions for university lecturers. It will also help to improve the quality of education in the country, and stop the brain drain that is now affecting our universities.”
Meanwhile, indications emerged in Abuja on Monday that the current indifinte strike embarked upon by ASUU may last longer as the Federal Government is prepared to offer the lecturers 40 per cent increase in salary against the over 100 per cent demanded by the union.
A Presidency Source told the Nigerian Tribune that the Inter-Ministerial Committee headed by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Ahmed Yayale, would soon convene a meeting with the ASUU, where the offer would be made known to them.
Please let something be done urgently, we can afford to have people staying at home for a reason not their fault.
The Chairman, Senate committee on Education, Mrs. Joy Emodi, disclosed this in on Monday in Abuja. Senator Emodi pleaded with the university teachers to have a re-think and consider the students, most especially the final year students.
She called on them to believe in the ability of the government to address the issues at hand, noting that the President, Vice-President, the minister of education and the two chairmen of the National Assembly committees of education, were themselves former teachers.
According to her “Once they agree on something, they have to sign it,” she said in disapproval of the government’s reluctance to sign the agreement.
“But apart from that, they have actually started operating some parts of the agreement like the autonomy in the appointment of vice-chancellors as the government now allows the governing councils of the universities to have a free hand.”
She added that “the crux of the matter now has to do with the condition of service. It is my opinion that every right thinking Nigerian should support very good, attractive conditions for university lecturers. It will also help to improve the quality of education in the country, and stop the brain drain that is now affecting our universities.”
Meanwhile, indications emerged in Abuja on Monday that the current indifinte strike embarked upon by ASUU may last longer as the Federal Government is prepared to offer the lecturers 40 per cent increase in salary against the over 100 per cent demanded by the union.
A Presidency Source told the Nigerian Tribune that the Inter-Ministerial Committee headed by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Ahmed Yayale, would soon convene a meeting with the ASUU, where the offer would be made known to them.
Please let something be done urgently, we can afford to have people staying at home for a reason not their fault.
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