Education
IAUOE, UNIPORT Join ASUU Warning Strike, RSU Backs Out
Academic activities were paralysed at the Rivers State-owned Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, and its University of Port Harcourt counterpart in Choba, following the decision of the lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at both universities in the state to join their colleagues in other states across the country in the ongoing two-weeks nationwide warning strike declared by the leadership of the union, four days ago.
While the leadership of ASUU at IAUOE has joined in the strike, their sister institution, the Rivers State University (RSU) is yet to join the warning strike.
Our correspondent, who monitored compliance at RSU, Thursday, reports that normal academic activities were ongoing in the faculties and departments as at the time of the visit, while students were seen at their various lecture halls having their lectures without any disturbance or disruptions.
Our correspondent also reports that no decision to join the ongoing strike by lecturers in the institution has been reached.
A source, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said members of ASUU in the university may not be participating in the warning strike simply because they wanted to give the new vice chancellor of the university a fresh breath, adding that it would be wrong to welcome the new VC with strike.
Efforts to speak with the branch chairman of ASUU at the institution proved abortive as he was said to have been away from the office.
However, the branch Chairman of ASUU at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, Mr Endurance Joseph, said the branch joined the two-week warning strike in order to comply with the directive of the national leadership of the union.
According to him, “ASUU is one union that houses every university lecturer, and therefore, everybody is bound to comply with any decision emanating from the leadership”.
He opined that the warning strike was not targeted at any state government but was the union’s way to express its position on the unsatisfactory approach of the Federal Government towards the development of education sector in the country.
“In 2009, the union (ASUU) and the federal government entered into agreement, including other Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on how best to improve infrastructure decay in the nation’s universities but since then, nothing seems to be happening from the side of the Federal Government.
“The strike will not affect the students because it is intended for their betterment. Can you rank our Nigerian students with their mates across other climes? The federal government has refused to negotiate with the union on the issues raised since 2009 till date”, he stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman, ASUU at the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Austin Sado, while corroborating the views of his IAUOE counterpart, blamed the Federal Government’s inability to address the nagging issues raised by the union since 2009.
According to him, rather than the government addressing the issues raised by the union on how to make our universities functional, they are talking about Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) which has been described as conduit pipe for corruption by many.
“It is the court of competent jurisdiction that will declare whether our actions are illegal and not the executive that will determine such illegality. We are prepared to make the sacrifice even in the wake of hardship”, he stated.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Councils of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa.
At the ceremony on Thursday in Calabar, the Governor urged the members to drive institutional excellence, ensure accountability, and align with global best practices.
Governor Otu acknowledged that UNICROSS had long suffered from what many perceived as gross neglect, particularly in terms of physical development.
“After a deep thought and consultation, and having considered all available facts and evidence, I am today opening a new chapter in the relationship between government and its institutions of higher education,” the Governor declared.
He emphasised that while his administration is committed to a renewed focus on higher education, this attention must be matched with transparency and responsibility by the universities’ management.
The same expectation, he said, applies to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa.
Governor Otu stated that the appointments into both councils and management were carefully considered and reflect the state’s finest minds and seasoned professionals.
“I have taken pains in appointing some of the best that the State has in both the Governing Councils and Management of the institutions. I implore you to apply your wealth of experience in making the institutions world-class,” he charged.
He also stressed the importance of respecting the distinct roles of Councils and management, pointing out that most university problems emanate from role conflict or interference. He tasked each of the councils to stick strictly to its clearly defined functions.
The Governor encouraged council members to leverage their networks to attract new sources of funding and value to their institutions.
“Do not limit yourselves to already known threads of resource sources.”, he said.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has announced a 50 percent reduction in tuition fees for all Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions, describing it as a major step toward removing barriers to higher education.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University Chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union, the Governor said the policy has made it easier for students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university education in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the students for presenting him with the Sword of Honour Award and for recognising the achievements of his administration, which were highlighted during the event’s public lecture.
He promised, “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course.’’
The Governor advised students not to allow agents of disunity and chaos to use them to destabilize their communities and steer them away from their career goals.
Governor Sani reminded the students and lecturers at the event that ‘’no meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust.’’
However, he said that ‘’going by your conduct over the period that I have been at the helm of affairs of our state so far, you are reliable partners of progress and I can count on you every step of the way.’’
The governor recalled that Kaduna State was under siege owing to the insecurity in some of the local government areas, which had dire consequences on agricultural and business activities.
He noted that the security challenges have now been drastically reduced owing to the combined commitment of security agencies, resulting in safer high ways, people returning to farms and the opening of local markets.
120 Oldest Secondary Schools in Nigeria
The governor further said that the Birnin Gwari cattle market which had been closed for over 10 years, has been reopened, so have the other markets in security challenged areas in Giwa local government.
The management of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic,Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has admitted 1,882 fresh students to study various courses and programmes for the 2024)2024 academic session.
This announcement was made by the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Moses Neebee during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the institution held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
Dr Neebee described convocation as an annual rituals of every institution used to mark the end of admission process, adding that the polytechnic has recorded some academic milestones and achievements.
According to him, the institution recorded 100 percent in the just concluded NABTE accreditation and resources visitation exercise, adding that all the 24 courses presented by the institution during the accreditation were approved including the almighty Diploma in Law.
According to the admission statistics provided by the Rector,1,510 students were admitted for the National Diploma programmes ,while 372 students were offered admission into the Higher National Diploma and part programmes of the polytechnic.
The Rector while congratulating the matriculants urged them to take their studies seriously and ensure that they pass through the institution and as well allow the institution pass through them and not only in learning but also in character.
“ Let me congratulate you all for your successes to scale through the rigorous hurdles of our admission processes. Take advantage of the various technical and entrepreneur skills in the school to equip your self which will make yourselves employed and be better equipped in the society”, he said.
The Rector warned them to desist from any activities that will jeopardise their academic success, stressing that the school has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and sexual abuse.
He used the opportunity to thank the state government for the support given to the school especially in the areas of infrastructure development.