₦airaland Forum

The National President of the union, Dr. Nasir Issa Faggae, who announced the industrial action while addressing journalists yesterday in Lagos, noted that the strike would be total and indefinitely.


He said the strike was called over the non-payment of the Earned Allowances for lecturers since 2009 when the Federal Government and the union agreed to meet
certain conditions concerning university education, including the allowance at stake.

Faggae explained that the decision to down tools was taken at a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the union comprising 51 out of the 53 ASUU branches
across the country held over the weekend at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OUU, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. He warned that the union would not call off the strike until the Federal Government paid the allowance.

The ASUU president said the Earned Allowance, which covers inconvenience and work overload, among others, was an average of N12,500 per month per lecturer.
Faggae, however, said it was disheartening that the Federal Government had refused to pay the allowance to any lecturer in the last four years. He said: “ASUU has met the government several times on this allowance issue and other ones as contained in our Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 which was the fallout of the 2009
agreement.

“It has always been promises upon promises and we can no longer tolerate the action, thus the need to embark on the nationwidestrike until our allowances are paid fully.”

Omen100:
WE SHOULD ALSO BLAMED THE LECTURERS FOR THE DEPILATED STATE OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE COLLEGE BEFORE IT WAS REHABILITATED BY THE PRESIDENT.



AND FOR THOSE OF YOU, WHO ARE SAYING THAT WE SHOULD CHANNELED THE BLAMES TO INDIVIDUAL ENTITIES, IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU BETTER KNOW THAT MOST STATE UNIVERSITIES ARE FAR WELL INFRASTRUCTURAL EQUIP THAN THE ALMIGHTY FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES, THEY ARE ONLY LIVING ON THE FORMER GLORY.

otokx: Cheap publicity stunt; ALSCON should major in their majors and not in their minors. In other news there is still no electricity in UNIPORT and ALUU.

“This is part of my administration’s continued effort to
provide regular electricity to Nigeria’s teeming population.
Within the months ahead, I will be inaugurating a number of other equally completed NIPP power plants which will add close to 5000MW to our generation capacity.

luvmijeje: Really? A project that has just been commission in the presence of paparazzi will be privatise? You people have started o.

luvmijeje: This is the first time I read that my President commision a project that make sense even if he's not the one that bought the idea, at least he complete it.
But I have a niggling question. PHCN has just been privatise so why will the President divert funds to complete a power plant?

texazzpete: I am saying I am weary of these paper policies that are not very realistic. Vague promises of 'providing enabling environment' that will attract droves of investors are just hilarious. The big auto-makers are having to slash prices and cut back production to continue to thrive in these times of economic downturn. getting them to build manufacturing plants in an environment as potentially hostile as Nigeria is a pipe-dream.

I would rather we focused on fixing our educational system, fixing our healthcare...those are things that can be done if we focus efforts. Slash import duties on new cars or modern 'tokunbo' cars to enable more of the middle class afford new or nearly new vehicles. Our roads are plagued with bad, decaying and ancient cars with very poor fuel efficiency and significant pollution issues. Old cars with poor safety features are rife. Forget gouging Nigerians for more import revenue and let more Nigerians use cars that consume less fuel, pollute less and are safer. That way you kill many birds with one stone and reduce road accident fatalities.

texazzpete: The problem with people like you is that you have very little imagination. You see someone criticize the president and you think it's all about APC?
My ire predates APC. I have no business with APC. I don't give a rat's ar'se about APC. I criticize everyone who fails unfailingly...where were you when I was savaging Fashola over the lekki toll gates, the Doctors strike, the poor state of roads in Ejigbo and the post I made a few minutes ago where I called out the Lagos State Govt claim of drastically improved power generation?

Common sense shows me how deep the hole we're in is, not anything any APC man can tell me.

PS: "light has improved in my area" is not a reasonable measure of improved power generation. I am shocked an educated fellow like yourself can use that line. For all you know, that increase in power supply you're experiencing could well be at the expense of someone else. I'll stick to the more accepted metrics like Power Generation capacity and power distribution statistics.

The Council also approved the directive that all
government vehicles be purchased from local assembly
plants unless they are of specialized nature and NAC has
certified that they cannot be produced in Nigeria. The
council’s decision is to be backed by appropriate
legislation to give comfort to investors that there will be
no abrupt change in policy

Symphony007: i don't need a lecture from you on the structures of the nigerian government nor do i need you to tell me stuff i already know. We all know that there is a collective failure of leadership on all levels of government. This country has greater problems that the frevolous policy. Every short coming you outlined above, the federal government has'nt fared better in their jurisdiction, are federal universities up to standard, do every resident of abuja have access to clean and affordable water? Are all federal roads good? Anybody who told this government that a foreign profit oreinted company will come and open a manufacturing plant in our country with epileptic power supply, insecurity, substandard infastructure, a almost $200 minimum wage and unions so powerfull they strike at the drop of a hat is an amatuer.

Aganga said in arriving at the policy, which took about nine months to put together, the government got the input of some car manufacturing giants like Nissan and Toyota.

These companies, he added, would soon announce their
investments in the country.

timpaker: This is not about 'allowances', if you have followed past ASUU strikes you'd judge better. I agree with you that the attitude of lectures have not bn impressive but you should know most lecturers are forced to give up their passion for lecturing cuz of the situation they find themselves. Imagine you as a lecturer lecturing about 300 pupils in a class that should contain about 100 and you have to lecture in batches, how do you exact excellence in the students when the class rooms are not well ventilated, or the laboratory equipment well enough to cater for such students?

The truth is that most of this politician benefited from the University when the standard was something to recon with so why are they making it look like investing is education is a taboo or irrelevant?

The National President of the union, Dr. Nasir Issa Faggae, who announced the industrial action while addressing journalists yesterday in Lagos, noted that the strike would be total and indefinitely.

He said the strike was called over the non-payment of the Earned Allowances for lecturers since 2009 when the Federal Government and the union agreed to meet
certain conditions concerning university education, including the allowance at stake.

Faggae explained that the decision to down tools was taken at a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the union comprising 51 out of the 53 ASUU branches
across the country held over the weekend at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OUU, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. He warned that the union would not call off the strike until the Federal Government paid the allowance.

The ASUU president said the Earned Allowance, which covers inconvenience and work overload, among others, was an average of N12,500 per month per lecturer.

Faggae, however, said it was disheartening that the Federal Government had refused to pay the allowance to any lecturer in the last four years. He said: “ASUU has met the government several times on this allowance
issue and other ones as contained in our Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 which was the fallout of the 2009
agreement.

“It has always been promises upon promises and we can no longer tolerate the action,thus the need to embark on the nationwide strike until our allowances are paid fully.”

jmoore: Light dey.

Aba.

Danhumprey: This shouldn't be about commissioning. It should be about ensuring that we have constant supply of electricity! What is the use of the project if it can't generate power up to maximum? Or of what use is it if it's constantly faulty All we are saying is give us steady power supply!

0monnakoda: You are the one who is lazy and unthinking. Nigeria cannot afford? $7 Billion over what period 1 week ,1 month? I would rather not have fuel subsidy than the rubbish our Universities churn out much of which is on display on Nairaland. Nigerians spend billions on private universities and foreign ones too. We need to have a debate about HOW university education is funded. Going forward it probably should not be free and students need to pay more realistic fees.Government should decide to privatize many if not all the universities. Apart from corruption there is a lot of waste in our government eg Presidential jets ,Aso rock Feeding budget etc.
In just one year GEJ spent over 1 trilion naira that was NOT in the budget n fraudulent SUBSIDY bills so it is not true there is no money but even if there is money . I still argue students should pay tuition,and standards shoud be raised so our Universities can be competitive and PROFITABLE

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Nasir Fagge, has accused the federal government of not telling Nigerians the truth about the demand of the union as regards the government’s statement that the union's demand has been met.
According to Fagge, ASUU had a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the federal government for it to spend over N3 trillion to turn around the fortune of all federal and state universities and also to better the lot of the educational sector in the country.

“The agreement is for the federal government to spend N800 billion yearly for the next four years, but what we have is government talking about N130 billion which is very insignificant," he said.

Fagge made the revelation Tuesday, while fielding questions from journalists, at the end of the congress of the Benue State University chapter of ASUU, in Makurdi.

He said: "Our demands are genuine, and it is based on the mutual agreement entered into in 2009 by government and ASUU. We urge the government to be responsible to that agreement.

"President Goodluck Jonathan said the strike is being politicised but the truth is that it is government that is playing politics with our demands. It is as if every problem in this country is now being politicised.

"I want to ask one basic question: Is it political to ask government to be responsible enough to implement an agreement she willingly entered into.

"It is important to state clearly that we are a union of intellectuals, and we cannot accept a situation were the tail will wag the dog. Whatever we do is for the betterment of the Nigerian university system.”

In addition, the ASUU national president said: "It is important to place on record that the struggle is a continuous one but the implementation of the 2009 agreement is key to improving on facilities in our universities and placing it at par with what we have in other parts of the world."

Worried by a resurgence of deadly attacks believed to be perpetrated by Boko Haram, the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday appealed to the sect to cease all attacks and embrace dialogue in the interest of national peace and security.

APC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said, in a statement, that a ceasefire should be observed without further delay.

The party strongly condemned the September 29 attacks that left dozens of students of the College of Agriculture in Yobe dead and several others injured. It described the killings as dastardly, senseless and indefensible.

The statement called on traditional, religious, political and opinion leaders in the affected areas to intervene urgently to end the cycle of violence being perpetrated by the sect.

“It is clear that this Boko Haram menace cannot be resolved by the government alone, hence all stakeholders must urgently intervene to complement government’s efforts to end the insurgency and get those behind it to embrace dialogue.

“There can be no justification for the sect to continue to kill and maim innocent citizens, especially because the victims are not just fellow Nigerians like them, but most are actually their kith and kin,” APC said.

It described the continued violence by the sect as inexcusable, especially at a time that the government had offered an olive branch by setting up a committee to dialogue with the sect.

“We in the APC have been unrelenting in our advocacy for dialogue as a way of ending the insurgency. Fortunately, the government has also embraced dialogue, after initially resisting it as an option.

“Boko Haram should remember that they are not fighting an external war, and that their grievances, whatever they are, can never be resolved by continued killing, maiming and plundering.

“They must, therefore, put an immediate end to their cycle of violence and opt for dialogue. The longer this violence continues, the more difficult it becomes to resolve. Enough is enough!” it said.

Address by
His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
On the Occasion of
Nigeria’s 53rd Independence Anniversary
Tuesday 1st October, 2013
Fellow Nigerians,

1. Today marks 53 years of our Independence as a nation.
First and foremost, I would like to say congratulations to us all. Through thick and thin, we have built this country
together. Through triumphs and trials, we have developed a Nigerian identity in our own way.

2. In truth, Nigeria is still a work in progress and we are
challenged everyday to keep building in spite of the various obstacles that we face. Our strength has been in our diversity. If we look back over the years, we can say
confidently that there is every reason to celebrate.

3. Today’s Independence anniversary is unique because it is the last before we mark our centenary. On January 1, 2014,Nigeria will be 100 years old as a country, following the amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern and Northern Nigeria in 1914.

4. Beloved country men and women, traditionally, the
Presidential address on this symbolic day has served two
purposes. It has, quite rightly, been used to remind all
Nigerians about our heritage. It has also allowed my
predecessors and I to comment on our stewardship to the
nation and make political capital out of a state occasion.

5. But this year, I will not. Because, today of all days, we
should not be scoring political points. On the contrary, in this last year of the first century of our Union, we should be addressing our future as a Nation and a people!

6. I admit that these may not be the best of times for our
nation. Our people are divided in many ways – ethnically,
religiously, politically, and materially. I cannot hide from this reality. I cannot hide from my own responsibilities.

7. As we prepare to mark the centenary, therefore, today
offers us an opportunity to reflect on our long journey to
nationhood and the progress we have made so far. Whatever the challenges that we may face, we have every reason to be proud of our national accomplishments; we have every reason to remain proud and optimistic. Our collective national journey has witnessed great watersheds, thanks to our spirit
of endurance, perseverance and sacrifice. Getting the rest of the job done with determination and courage is just a matter of time. We are Nigerians, a nation of talented people, endowed with resources, potentials, and Divine Grace.

8. In our journey to greatness as a nation, we have built an economy that is robust and erected enduring infrastructure and institutions of democracy. Our social system is now more inclusive, open and compassionate. We are waging a steady battle against poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Our sense of community, solidarity and shared expectation is strong and capable of withstanding the present social, economic and political challenges that still confront us.

9. In saying this, I am reminded of the comments I made a week ago to a cross-section of Nigerians in New York during the 68th United Nations General Assembly. I declare now as I declared then: we have a duty as Nigerians, whatever may be our differences or prejudices, to always put Nigeria first.

10. Our politics should be an art of patriotic labour and
selfless service to the community, particularly by the political elite who are placed in positions of great trust and responsibility. Politics has its own high moral principles which abhor distracting and divisive rhetoric. As men and women in leadership, we must continually focus on service, duty,responsibility, and the next generation. Those who are elected to govern at all levels must focus on improving the lives of our people, not selfish ambition.

11. In the words of the American theologian and author,
James Freeman Clarke, ‘a politician thinks of the next
election; a statesman of the next generation’. Whether we are Muslims or Christians; rich or poor; from the North or the South; East or West; regardless of our political affiliations, this is the time for every one of us to be a statesman!

12. My clarion call therefore, on this special day, is that we should begin to align our political utterances and conduct solely to the nobler passions that unite our people. Politicians do not make a nation; ordinary folks do.

13. Our nation is made great by the big and small efforts of regular citizens. These are the teachers and men and women in academics who inculcate the knowledge and wisdom that transform into tomorrow’s wealth; the traders and market women who tend to our everyday needs; the farmers whose labour feeds the nation; the artisans whose work ensures that our homesteads are well maintained; the doctors,pharmacists, nurses, accountants, bankers, engineers, and other professionals who add value to our lives; the sportsmen and women and those in the creative industry who bring
honour and fame to our nation;

14. And the men and women of our armed forces and
security services who toil day and night so that you and I
may live in a safe and secure nation.

15. It is the individual and collective heroism of these regular folks that has placed our nation on the path of greatness.Politics and politicians sometimes distract the people and create unnecessary tension.

16. But our independence celebration is about the same
people, the people of Nigeria: their industry, sense of mission and purpose, and their patience and perseverance as we navigate historical turns in our march towards prosperity and self-sufficiency. Today, I salute the people of Nigeria.

17. My Compatriots, history has proven that nations take
time to evolve. We should rejoice in our democracy because it enables us to be united by our differences, not destroyed by them. And, there is no more crucial time for us to be united than now.

18. The threats we face may be real and immediate. But we are not alone in this regard. It is a difficult season for much of the world: industrialized or developing; rich or poor. What matters are the lessons we learn, the wisdom we demonstrate, and the victory we snatch from the jaws of likely defeat.

19. And I tell you, more than anything else, there are lessons to learn, and every cause to be thankful. If I must cite one example, take Syria. As we all pray and work for a return to normalcy in Syria, it would be helpful for us to reflect on the fact that Syria was once a peaceful, thriving, multi-cultural nation which played host to a mosaic of religions and ethnicities.

20. But that once idyllic nation has today become a theatre of human misery of unimaginable proportions as a result of the activities of extremist forces.

21. Fellow Nigerians, the spectre of extremism haunts every democracy in every corner of the globe. While we celebrate our independence and good fortune, our hearts must grieve for those who have lost loved ones in numerous terrorist activities around the world.

22. Back home, I admit being overtaken by deep feelings of grief, whenever news reached me of the appalling atrocities in some of our States, especially the North Eastern part of our country. Just two days ago, terrorist elements attacked the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State killing a number of innocent students of the institution and other residents in cold blood, most of them in their sleep. This act of barbarism is a demonstration of the extent to which evil forces will go to
destabilize our nation. But I assure you, they will not
succeed.

23. My heart goes out to the families of all those who have fallen victim of these dastardly acts. Our Administration will not rest until every Nigerian is free from the oppression of terrorism. I reassure you that no cost will be spared, no idea will be ignored, and no resource will be left untapped in the quest to enable our people live without fear.

24. On this day, I implore every Nigerian – wherever you are, whatever language you speak, whatever your religious persuasion, whichever Political Party you support -: let us join together to fight this evil of extremism.

25. On behalf of us all, I commend our Armed Forces and
security agencies for their dedication and bravery in the face of grave danger, and in the name of our collective liberty.

26. Fellow Nigerians, this is a time to pull together behind the national cause: the cause of our freedom, and our future. We must rekindle the spirit of Nigeria, to ensure that every democrat and every lover of peace in this great nation continues to live in a free, peaceful, and secure Nigeria.

27. On my part, I re-dedicate myself completely to the service of this great country. I was elected President to continue the process of building a prosperous nation where hopes, dreams and aspirations would be fulfilled. Nigerians, home and abroad, want a country they can be proud to call their own. I am pleased to affirm that, no matter the challenges we face,we are on the right path to greatness. Our Transformation Agenda, which is part of the overall vision of making Nigeria a land of greatness, has been delivering positive and
encouraging results.

28. On May 29th this year, I presented to the nation a mid-term report of my Administration’s Transformation Agenda.This was conceived as an integrated policy aimed at reconstructing not only institutional governance for effective and efficient service delivery, but also a re-orientation of national norms and values. The document captured the essence of our agenda in relation to core objectives and achievements.

29. I have been consistently mindful of the weight of public expectation to find solutions to the challenges that confront us because the mandate we have is a free and sacred one. In all that I have done, I have been guided by this sacred obligation, to work hard for the good of Nigeria and to make life better for Nigerians. I want to assure everyone that Nigeria, under my leadership, will not fail.

30. Exactly 53 years ago today, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa urged us to ‘move with quiet dignity to our place on the world stage’. I am sure that there have been times when every one of us must have questioned how closely we have followed that injunction.

31. But again, I can reassure you that Nigeria’s place on the world stage today is strong and safe, and it is certainly a place of dignity and respect. We must continue to build on this by remaining a nation and a people committed to ideals,the noblest humanitarian values, and the rule of law.

32. Our Constitution is anchored ultimately on the idea of
freedom and fundamental rights: freedom of expression;
freedom from discrimination; freedom to vote and be voted for, and the right to human dignity. These are the core values of a true democracy. These are the values of which we must never lose sight.

33. In my address to the UN General Assembly last week, I emphasized the crucial role of democratization in improving the fortunes not just of this country, but of our entire continent. Democratic values encourage diversity. They encourage discourse. They encourage disagreement. This is the joy of democracy.

34. It enables us to have an opinion. And ultimately, the
ballot box gives us all the opportunity to instigate change.When democracy works, it does not destroy a nation. It unites and defines it.

35. Fellow Nigerians, our Administration has taken
cognizance of suggestions over the years by well-meaning Nigerians on the need for a National Dialogue on the future of our beloved country. I am an advocate of dialogue. When there are issues that stoke tension and bring about friction, it makes perfect sense for the interested parties to come together to discuss.

36. In demonstration of my avowed belief in the positive
power of dialogue in charting the way forward, I have decided to set up an Advisory Committee whose mandate is to establish the modalities for a National Dialogue or
Conference. The Committee will also design a framework and come up with recommendations as to the form, structure and mechanism of the process.

37. The Committee will be chaired by Dr. Femi Okurounmu while Dr. Akilu Indabawa will serve as the Secretary. The full membership of the Committee will be announced shortly.

38. I expect the Report to be ready in one month, following which the nation will be briefed on the nomenclature,structure and modalities of the Dialogue.

39. Fellow Nigerians, the past 53 years have seen Nigeria
evolve on an epic scale. Our progress since independence has not always been smooth. This is, after all, our Fourth
Republic; but despite all its flaws, it has lasted longer than all the previous three put together. That is progress and it proves that, our differences – real and imagined –
notwithstanding, we are, in every sense, a united nation.

40. This is no time for the harmful clutches of parochial
sentiments and the politics of bitterness, impunity, arrogance and unhelpful indiscipline. We must stand as one, with absolute commitment and resolve to resist any force that threatens us and the sanctity of our union.

41. I want to thank all our country men and women who
have stood by this Administration in the midst of mounting challenges and enormous expectations.

42. I recognize that it is not easy to keep believing in the
possibilities of our greatness when our faith is constantly
challenged. But let me assure you that, if we do not despair,we shall reap the reward of our labour in due season.

43. It is my prayer that, another 53 years from now, our
children and grand-children will look back on our effort and be thankful that we kept the faith.

44. May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of
Nigeria.

45. I wish you all a very happy 53rd Independence
Celebration.

I thank you.

CFCfan: Lmao
Or even d 60-day deadline given by the kidnap kingpin.

CFCfan: Will GEJ talk about his purported 2015 ambition?