Education

Authentic List: RSUST Lecturers Await Management Response

Published

10 years ago

July 13, 2015

Students at Cherrgforte International School, Woji Estate during an excution visit to the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in Port Harcourt, recently.

Recently, recalled lec
turers of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) are currently awaiting the response of the management of the university in the feud over an authentic list of the lecturers
In an exclusive interview with The Tide last Friday, chairman of the University’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Payate, Suobere Taderigha, said following their recall after three years of strike, and subsequent reinstatement of their rights and privileges, an authentic list of all such lecturers are yet to be compiled for onward submission to the state government.
Dr Tadaerigha, alleged that a list said to have been sent to the state government by management of the university was fraudulent as it did not contain the genuine names of lecturers who had been on strike as agreed by the lecturers and management of the institution.
He explained that following a meeting of both parties on the 19th of June, 2015, a list of 63 names of lecturers was compiled as those due for payment of outstanding salaries covering the period of the three of the years strike.
However, contrary to the said agreement, ASUU found out that an entirely different list containing 55 names that included names of lecturers who were not on strike and sundry anomalies was sent to the government.
“To our amazement, instead of 63 names it was now 55 names. So, we were short of eight names,” Dr. said, adding that “we also found out that they added extra names of person who were not on strike”.
In addition to this, Puyate stated that the list submitted to the state government was filed with other fraudulent claims which he said was intended to defraud the state government and also soil the image of ASUU in the university.
“We also observed that the figures computed were over-bloated for us as a union. This is a means of defrauding the government, and we as a union cannot partake in such criminal tendency.
“There was also over-bloating of house rent, electricity bills and sanitation (fees),” he said.
The ASUU boss further alleged that management of the university also claim to have paid the salaries of the striking lecturers up to September 2012, while they only paid up to August.
According to him, the aggrieved lecturers have duely compiled these and other anomalies and written to the vice chancellor, Professor Barineme Fakae, hence they await his response.
“As at now, we are still waiting for them (Management) to do the right thing. That list they have sent to government, we cannot accept it because it does not give a true picture of those of us who were on strike.
On how to resolve the feud, Dr. Tadaerigha stated that “the right thing should be done”. This he said implies that representatives of the recalled lectures and those of management would need to dialogue and come up with the authentic list.
Efforts to get the perspective of management through the VC failed but when contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university, Mr. Desmond Wosu, blamed the lecturers for taking their grievances to the press.
According to him, the lecturers did not follow due process to resolve the issue internally.
It will be recalled that the latest feud over the authentic list of the lecturers sequel to the May 29, 2015 directive by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who in his inaugural speech recalled lecturers after three years of strike and accorded them all their rights and privileges.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Education

Ebonyi NUT Declares Indefinite Strike In Seven LGAs

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

The Tide

The Ebonyi State Chapterter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared an indefinite strike in seven local government areas in the State.
The strike action, according to the union, is due to non payment of three months salaries to some teachers in the affected local government area.
A statement issued on Thursday by the union’s secretary, Bassey Asuquo, listed the affected local government areas as Ebonyi, Edda, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ivo, Ishielu and Ohaukwu.
The statement reads, “Sequel to our earlier notice on mobilization for industrial strike action, we have thoroughly reviewed the compliance of local government chairmen regarding the clearance of our members’ salaries.
“As of the close of work today, February 5, 2025, we acknowledge that certain local government areas have cleared the salaries of our members.
“However, we regret to inform you that several local government chairmen have failed to clear the backlog of our members’ outstanding salaries.
“In response to this non-compliance, we hereby declare indefinite strike action in the following Local Government Areas: Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Ivo and Ohaukwu.
“All our state and branch officers in the affected local government areas are instructed to adhere strictly to this directive and ensure the immediate enforcement of the strike action from 12:00am on Thursday 6th February, 2025.
“This includes organizing and maintaining solidarity picket lines and monitoring the Compliance of the strike action across the affected localities”, the statement said.
The Union noted that failure of the local government chairmen to meet their obligations to its members is unacceptable and vowed not relent until its demands are met.
“We call on all members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike action.”

Education

LG Boss Inaugurates 11-Man Scholarship Board

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

The Tide

The Chairman of Omuma Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Promise Reginald has inaugurated an 11- man scholarship education board headed by Dr Bigman Nwala.
Hon Reginald, while inaugurating the board at a brief ceremony held at the chairman’s chamber at Eberi on Wednesday, charged them to be fair and apolitical in the discharge of their duties.
He stated that his administration is committed to ensuring that the local government area improves the education standard of the people.
He urged them to ensure that every student of the local government origin is given equal opportunity, both the children of the poor and the rich, adding that the desire of his administration is to see that the people of Omuma are not educationally backwards.
According to him, the scholarship scheme is open to all students of Omuma origin who have gained admission into any institutions of higher learning, stressing that the essence is to ensure that his administration leaves a legacy and also encourages the youths who will take after them to be educated.
The chairman told the board that from now till December this year, the council will be sending three Omuma students to United Kingdom on over seas scholarship, and announced that the scholarship scheme will take off immediately with 10 beneficiaries.
He congratulated them on their appointments and urged them to be transparent and fair in all their dealings, stressing that they were chosen based on their track records and as well as their efforts to advance education in the area.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the board,Dr Bigman Nwala thanked the chairman for the confidence reposed in them, and assured him that they will work towards realising the objectives of the board.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

New Book, Art Of Succession Unveiled In PH

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

The Tide

A philanthropist, Elder For-tune Obi has launched a new book, The Art of Succession to the reading public.
The book, co-authored by Mr Okah Ewah Edede, a renowned writer was launched as part of the weeklong activities to mark the silver jubilee birthday celebration of Engr Fortune Obi.
The occasion which was held in Port Harcourt on Friday attracted people from all walks of life including the academia, politicians, oil and gas industry players as well as labour union organisations
Speaking at the occasion,the celebrant, Dr Obi who was elated with the presence of the cream of the society, averred that the gathering was to celebrate the culmination of tireless dedication, unyielding passion , and visionary efforts, which have given birth to his remarkable literary work.
According to him, The Art Of Succession is more than a book, a masterful guide, meticulously crafted roadmap and an indispensable resource for navigating the slippery shorelines of succession planning, stressing that the book offers invaluable wisdom and actionable strategies to illuminate whether you are a trailblazing entrepreneur, a business leader or someone intent on crafting a legacy that endures.
He promised to use the proceeds from the book launch to give back to the society and empower four less-privileged schools in Etche Local Government Area of the State, saying, “let me use this opportunity to inform you that whatever fund that is generated from this book launch will be going back to the society by providing educational support to four less- previledged schools in Etche LGA and probably any adjourning ethnicity in Rivers State. In the following days, you shall duly be informed when this target is accomplished.”
The chief launcher, the Senator representing Rivers East Senatorial District, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, represented by his Special Adviser on General Purpose,Dr Kingsley Chioma commended the author for his deliberate efforts to put together the book that reveals his life experiences with the intent to stir and encourage people, stressing that much lessons are embeded in the book.
He opined that life hurdles and challenges vary, adding that the book interfaces every aspect of human endeavors , be it politics, religion, business and other human endeavors.
The book reviewer, Prof Ken Nweke said the book is a thorough mannual that explores the complex procedure of guaranteeing continuity and promoting expansion within organisations, noting that the theoretical and practical components of succession planning are covered in the book with exceptional depth and clarity , making it a timely contributions.
“With his extensive knowledge and expertise,Engr Fortune Obi,provides readers with insightful information about the essential elements of succession planning”, he said.

By: Akujobi Amadi