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ASUU Strike: You Cannot Dictate To Your Employers – Chris Nigige

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4 years ago

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The federal government has declared the two-week warning strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as illegal.

ASUU had announced the industrial action, on Monday, saying it is meant to compel the federal government to implement its 2019 agreement and resolution with the union.

The union also said its demand includes the implementation of the 2013 and 2017 memoranda of understanding (MOU) that are yet to be implemented.

The union has also been at loggerheads with the government over the directive to enroll its members into the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Speaking with reporters at the end of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Chris Ngige, minister of labour, said employees cannot dictate to their employers.

“They didn’t give us the mandatory notice before going on strike. So, for a start, this strike is illegal. They said it is a warning striking but there is nothing like warning strike. A strike is withdrawal of services for which you are being paid,” Ngige said.

“Then the question will arise; if you don’t go to work, do you want to be paid? Is it not corruption? So this is the dilemma.”

The minister said the bone of contention was the IPPIS which the federal government introduced in 2018 to “curb corruption as well as fish out ghost workers in the system”.

He said the government had agreed to merge both IPPIS and University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), the platform suggested by ASUU, but the union did not show interest in it.

“This is an old story. This story started two years ago when the first presidential directive was given, for all public servants to be captured on the IPPIS so that the federal government will know those that they are paying and to block leakages, ” Ngige said.

“So if you go on sabbatical, this is government’s position. What you should receive in that other place is an allowance. And allowance has a different portal; that is the portal that doctors are using. So, these allowances are captured but IPPIS will not capture two salaries for one person.

“I was shocked on Monday, when I read and saw some people coming out of the university that lecturers have gone on strike. I have my children in Nigerian universities and I saw them.

“So, to solve the dilemma, I have invited them to the meeting for tomorrow (Thursday). I have invited the minister of education, their principal employer, the finance ministry and the accountant general of the federation.

“So we will meet and discuss the way forward because no employee is empowered to dictate his employer on how he or she should be paid. There is an ILO convention on it.”

Ngige said the government would invoke the “no work, no pay” policy if the lecturers do not return to their duty post.

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Justice Okamgba is journalist at Grassroots.ng

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Education

Fake University Degree Holders Soon To Be Fished Out And Arrested – Minister Of Education Announces

Published

3 weeks ago

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April 3, 2024

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The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Tuesday, said security agencies will go after individuals with fake university certificates in the country.

According to the minister, the individuals will be tracked after the committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the activities of university certificate racketeers in the country submits its report.

The Federal Government had set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to probe the activities of certificate racketeers following an investigative report published by Daily Nigerian which exposed the activities of degree mills in the Benin Republic.

The investigative report, which exposed the illegalities perpetrated by some tertiary institutions in the West African countries, led to the Nigerian government placing a ban on the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.

The committee set up by the Federal Government was also tasked with investigating Nigerian private universities established in the last 15 years. Recently, the committee invited memoranda from the public. Selected members of the committee also visited institutions in the Benin Republic.

While speaking at the first quarterly citizens engagement in Abuja on Tuesday, the education minister, Mamman, said;

“On the issue of the fake degrees, we set up a committee and we expect them to submit their reports soon. Once the report is submitted, I can assure you that individuals with fake certificates will be apprehended. They will be tracked by security agencies.”

Also speaking at the engagement, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, noted that the quarterly citizenship engagement was aimed at creating awareness of the activities of the ministry.

He noted that the engagement would “ also promote mutual understanding with stakeholders and citizens, build and sustain public trust, and improve transparency and accountability in the sector.”

“Worthy of mention is that this engagement also aims to improve efficiency and streamline government operations by identifying and addressing bottlenecks,” Sununu said.

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Education

Stakeholders Head To Enugu For First South East Educators Conference

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1 month ago

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March 16, 2024

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Stakeholders in the education circle are warming up for the maiden edition of Southeast Educators’ Conference 2024(SEEC’24).

The two-day SEEC’24 scheduled to hold 18th & 19th, April 2024 at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu under theme: Future-‘Focused Learning – Igniting the Competitive Edge’

Promises to host key players in the education sector with a potential attendance of over 500 delegates.
The conference will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, covering topics ranging from holistic learning approaches to cutting-edge technology integration.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Mrs Doris Chinedu-Okoro,CEO, Evergreen Group, said SEEC’24 is the first of its kind in the Southeast region, presenting a historic opportunity for stakeholders to pioneer positive change in the local education sector.
“It brings together diverse perspectives and innovative ideas,fostering collaboration and networking among educators and stakeholders.
Hundreds of delegates will be in attendance.
“SEEC’24 is dedicated to exploring transformative practices, emphasising holistic learning, technology integration, globalcitizenship, life-long learning, and community engagement”, she said.

Mr. Osita Chidioka, the former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, who recently launched an online mentorship and leadership programme for Nigerian youths named Mekaria Mentorship Programme (MMP) Foundation Course, will deliver the keynote at SEEC’24.

Prof. Pieter Verdegem; Dr. Joy Isa, Mrs. Bukola Adewuiyi, Lady Uju Dike, Fr. John Njorteah, Alex Onyia, Rotimi Eyitayo, Rhoda Odigboh, Elfrida Diete-Spiff Omole, Dr. ChibuezeLawrence Ofobuike, Ify Obidi-Essien, Dr. Abimbola Ogundere, Angelina Ikeako, Odetola Ebenezer Israel and OgochukwuOnyia, are some of the speakers lined up for the event.

The Evergreen Group CEO added that the conference thrives on a vision to create a dynamic platform that equips educators with the tools and knowledge needed to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of South-Eastern Nigeria.

SEEC’24 is open to School Owners, Heads of Schools (Public and Private), Educational Stakeholders, Counselors, Teachers, Parents, Investors, Startups, and others in the education ecosystem.
“Participants will have the opportunity to engage in two full days of conference sessions, diving deep into the future of Education.
“There will be ample networking opportunities with school leaders from across the geopolitical zone and beyond.
“The evening Gala Night promises a delightful atmosphere for dancing, dining, wining, and fostering deeper connections in a relaxed setting”, she further explained.

Registration is N100,000 via: https://bit.ly/3uTcv9e

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Education

VDL: Essay Contest Alert For Senior Secondary School Students In Nigeria. Interesting Prizes For Winners Attached

Published

3 months ago

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February 10, 2024

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If you are a secondary School student in the senior category (SS1 – SS3) in Nigeria, Here is your chance to showcase your writing prowess in the “Values for daily living ESSAY CONTEST”

The VDL has set out in full motion to reward students who are eager to unleash their academic brilliance and challenge their inner strength.

This opportunity serves as a way to give back to the society by not only inculcating the values needed for a better society, But by additionally encouraging students to let their inner lights shine even brighter.

With the VDL Essay contest, Winners get to take home a whooping sum of;
₦500,000 For the student in place of the 1st Position,

₦300,000 For the student in place of the 2nd position, And

₦200,000 For the student in place of the 3rd position.

And it gets even better as the prize doesn’t just end here.
Winners will enjoy numerous benefits that will expose and propel them to a more beautiful journey ahead.

So what are you waiting for?

Are you a parent, A guardian, A teacher, A friend, Whoever you are, Share the Goodnews around and tell a friend to tell another friend.
Get that eligible student(s) registered as soon as possible as registrations will be ending on the 28th of February 2024.

To register and submit your essay, Visit the website by clicking on the link displayed on the Eflyer.

Please carefully read through the instructions on the website before registering.

Seize this moment to make your Narrative count!

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