NEWS
ASUU tackles Ngige, says strike continues
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ruled out any possibility of suspending its six months old strike.
The ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, made the call at a news conference at the University of Abuja, on Tuesday,
Osodeke accused the Ministry of Labour and Employment, chaired by Dr. Chris Ngige as “Conciliator” for continuously creating more chaos in the resolution process.
ASUU had on Feb.14, embarked on strike to press home its demand, on government’s investment in the nation’s university infrastructure, and payment of members’ salaries through the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), among others.
According to ASUU President, the Union will never suspended its strike, but ensure it comes to a permanent end to to the lingering strike.
“ASUU, therefore, makes bold to say that the Minister of Labour and Employment has taken upon himself the role of unabashed protagonist in our ongoing dispute with the government of Nigeria for some inexplicable reasons.
“Dr Ngige earlier told whoever cared to listen that he was not the employer of university academics and advised the union to march to the Ministry of Education. Nigerians may wish to know why he has suddenly turned around to constitute himself into impediment to an amicable resolution of the ongoing crisis.
“The union said it remains focused on its goal of making the Nigerian University system internationally competitive and getting its products to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers in any part of the world.
“We appreciate the teeming Nigerians for identifying with our vision in this respect and we specifically acknowledge the support and sacrifices of our students (including our members who are running their postgraduate programmes).
“We are as bothered as you are because we share a common interest in the Nigeria project, however, ASUU shall continue to be guided by the sacred canons of integrity, objectivity, and responsibility to which both academics and media practitioners subscribe.
READ ALSO: Kachikwu begs ASUU to call off strike
“It is our fervent hope and desire that the current groundswell of interests would culminate in a convergence of solutions to this avoidable crisis in the overall interest of Nigeria Together, we shall win. The struggle continues,” he said.
He maintained that if Ngige meant well as a “conciliator, he won’t be putting roadblocks on the path to completing a process that has dragged for more than five years.
“The Ministry of Labour and Employment, as the chief labour ministry of the country, is principally expected to apprehend disputes between employers and employees with a view to settling such disputes.
“The ministry shall normally await reports of disputes by either side to the disputes for settlement. When the Minister apprehends a dispute, he/she must communicate to the parties or their representatives, his or her own proposal for the resolution of the dispute.
“However, ASUU has always had serious reservations about the claim of “conciliation” by someone who has taken sides in the dispute, or by unabashed protagonist in the crisis such as the current Minister of Labour and Employment. It is antithetical to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions (98, 151 & 154) on collective bargaining.
“It is against the principle of natural justice and the doctrine of equality for Dr. Ngige who carries himself as if he has personal scores to settle with ASUU and shoots down the Union everywhere it matters to assume the role of conciliator,” he added.
On the issue of funding of public universities, he said it has become the pastime of government officials to talk tough about billions and trillions of naira whenever the thorny issues of education and health sectors’ funding come up for mention.
However, he lamented that various sums of money in the same region which could have been deployed for human capacity development and public good usually develop into the thin air at the end of the day!
“We are therefore, not surprised the leadership of the Ministry of Labour and Employment could condescend to the point of denigrating the import of massive injection of fund into the University Education sub-sector as they tried to miserably dismiss the vexed issue of funding Nigerian public universities and uplifting the country’s intellectual capital.
“ASUU believes that the idea of availability of funds is a dynamic process. For instance, government can mobilize funds from different sources including non budgetary outlets like stamp-duty, GSM and alcoholic taxes.
“We are appalled by the recent calls by top government functionaries at both federal and state levels to establish more universities at a time agencies run by same Chief Executives are tightly squeezed for funding,” he said.
Reacting on the acclaimed breakaway faction of ASUU, Congress of University Academics (CONUA), Osodeke said the union was not aware of any recognised official faction. (NAN)
Hundreds of pensioners in Benue State on Wednesday took to the streets of Makurdi to protest the non-payment of gratuities, pension arrears and the failure of the government to harmonise pension payments, lamenting that many retirees are dying due to hardship and lack of access to healthcare.
The protesters, under the umbrella of the Concerned Pensioners Association of Benue State, staged a peaceful demonstration and threatened to occupy the Benue State Government House if their demands continue to be ignored.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Pay Us Our Pension, Our Members Are Dying” and other messages demanding justice, the retirees expressed frustration over what they described as years of neglect and broken promises.
ALSO READ: Benue APC Primary Turns Messy as Onoja’s Son Battles David Mark’s Daughter Over Victory
Speaking during the protest, the association’s chairman, Akosu Orban, said pensioners had exhausted all avenues of dialogue with the state government without achieving any meaningful result.
“We have exhausted all avenues for dialogue and resolution with the Benue State Government over our demands without success. That is why we have decided to embark on this peaceful protest,” he said.
According to Orban, gratuities dating back to the year 2000 remain unpaid, while pension arrears owed to state retirees stand at 38 months and those owed to local government retirees have accumulated to 62 months.
He also raised concerns over the non-harmonisation of pensions, claiming that some retirees still receive as little as N2,000 monthly despite existing provisions for improved pension payments.
“It may interest you to know that some pensioners who retired many years ago are still being paid N2,000 monthly pension. If pensions were properly harmonised, they should be receiving up to N40,000 per month,” he stated.
The pensioners lamented that the prolonged delay in settling their entitlements has pushed many retirees into extreme poverty.
“Pensioners are dying on a daily basis because they cannot afford drugs and special diets required for age-related ailments. We have become scavengers, beggars and destitute in the land we served diligently,” Orban added.
The association accused the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia of failing to fulfil promises allegedly made during the 2023 election campaign to clear pension arrears and gratuities within 100 days of assuming office.
The retirees further alleged that they withdrew several court cases against the government after receiving assurances that outstanding payments would be settled on a first-retired, first-paid basis, only for those promises to remain unfulfilled.
Warning that their patience was running out, the protesters vowed to escalate their action if their demands were not addressed.
“We are hungry and angry. If our concerns are not addressed, we will have no option than to occupy the Benue State Government House until justice is done to pensioners,” Orban declared.
Responding to the protest, Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, said the current administration inherited pension and gratuity liabilities estimated at N300 billion.
He noted that the government was making efforts to settle the obligations despite limited resources.
“That is what we inherited, but we are doing our very best to pay what we can. They have the right to demonstrate, but government, in its wisdom, is doing its best,” Oglegba said.
The commissioner added that the administration had fully paid gratuities of workers who retired since it assumed office in 2023, while also working to reduce the backlog inherited from previous administrations.
The protest highlights the growing frustration among pensioners in Benue State, many of whom say years of unpaid entitlements have left them struggling to survive.
A total of 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks are expected to arrive in Lagos today as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to protect its citizens abroad.
The returnees, who form the first batch of those seeking voluntary repatriation, are being transported aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight scheduled to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 5:00 a.m.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, is expected to receive the evacuees on behalf of the Federal Government upon their arrival.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, who said the Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, would accompany the returnees and formally hand them over to Nigerian authorities.
The evacuation follows renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have left many foreign nationals, including Nigerians, fearful for their safety and seeking a return to their home countries.
According to the ministry, the ongoing screening exercise for Nigerians willing to return home voluntarily has been extended until Sunday, June 14, 2026, to enable more affected citizens to participate in the evacuation programme.
The ministry said the extension underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare, safety and protection of Nigerians living overseas.
It also assured that relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have made adequate arrangements for the reception, documentation and support of the returnees upon arrival.
The latest evacuation marks another chapter in the long-standing concerns over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where Nigerians and other African migrants have periodically faced hostility, attacks and displacement.
Federal authorities have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the interests of Nigerians abroad while continuing diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing the situation and ensuring the safety of affected citizens.
A coalition of civil society organisations, activists, labour groups and youth movements has declared June 12, 2026, a day of nationwide protest against worsening insecurity, economic hardship and deteriorating living conditions across Nigeria.
The protest, scheduled to coincide with the country’s Democracy Day celebration, is being championed by prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana and popular musician-turned-activist Falz, alongside several civil society leaders and advocacy groups.
In a joint statement released ahead of the demonstration, the coalition expressed concern over what it described as the growing suffering of Nigerians amid rising insecurity, inflation and poverty.
SEE ALSO: How $3.4bn IMF COVID-19 Loan Was Allegedly Diverted — Falana
According to the group, millions of citizens have little reason to celebrate Democracy Day as many communities continue to battle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
The statement was jointly endorsed by Falana, National Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB); Hassan Taiwo Soweto of the #EndBadGovernance Movement; Yinka Folarin of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR); Falz and several other civil society advocates.
The coalition lamented that innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted and displaced while many families continue to live in fear due to the worsening security situation across the country.
“The Nigerian people deserve a government that places the protection of lives and property at the centre of governance,” the coalition stated.
The group further demanded the immediate release of citizens currently being held captive by kidnappers and criminal groups in various parts of the country.
It also criticised what it described as inadequate responses to insecurity despite repeated assurances by authorities that the situation was improving.
According to the coalition, schools remain vulnerable to attacks, farmers face challenges accessing their farmlands and many major highways are still considered unsafe for travellers.
Beyond security concerns, the coalition highlighted the growing economic hardship facing Nigerians, citing rising fuel prices, currency devaluation, increased electricity tariffs and the soaring cost of essential goods and services.
The statement noted that food prices have continued to rise sharply, making it increasingly difficult for families to meet their basic needs.
It added that transportation costs have become unbearable for many citizens, while small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to survive due to high operating costs, unstable electricity supply and declining consumer purchasing power.
The coalition also expressed concern over stagnant wages and persistent inflation, arguing that workers’ incomes can no longer adequately support their households.
Explaining the purpose of the June 12 protest, the organisers said the nationwide action is intended to compel the government to take urgent and practical steps to tackle insecurity and implement policies that will ease the economic burden on citizens.
The coalition called on workers, students, traders, artisans, market women, professionals, unemployed youths, religious organisations and labour unions to mobilise and participate peacefully in the demonstration.
“The time has come for Nigerians to speak with one voice and demand security, dignity and a decent standard of living. Enough of the killings. Enough of the kidnappings. Enough of the hunger. Enough of the suffering,” the statement added.
The organisers described the planned protest as a democratic expression of citizens’ frustrations and a collective demand for a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
OPEC Oil Output Lowest Since at Least 2000 as US Blockade Squeezes Iran: Report
Dangote Foundation Distributes Rice to Cement Host Communities in Ogun
US Threatens to Deport Influencers Covering the World Cup for Profit
‘Our Members Are Dying’ — Benue Retirees Protest Unpaid Pensions, Gratuities
Xenophobia Horror: 268 Nigerians Flee South Africa, Arrive Lagos Today
June 12 Showdown: Falana, Falz Lead Nationwide Protest Against Hardship, Insecurity
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
