Education

IAUOE, UNIPORT Join ASUU Warning Strike, RSU Backs Out

Published

5 years ago

March 16, 2020

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.

Education

Ebonyi NUT Declares Indefinite Strike In Seven LGAs

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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