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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)
NEWS
With Sights Restored, NNPC/Shell Vision First Outreach Makes Mark in Badagry
Nearly 3,000 people in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State benefitted from the latest edition of the Vision First initiative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), last week.
Biztellers reports that on the first day alone, 38 patients had surgeries which restored their sights.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the NNPC Ltd/SNEPCo for the treatment, saying the restoration of their sights would help reintegrate them into society.
READ ALSO: Pipeline Surveillance Crucial for $50bn Upstream Investment
A total of 2,297 people were seen by the medical team of which 1,458 had eye care services with 154 surgeries for cataract and 878 spectacles dispensed. This was in addition to more than 200 general surgeries. There were long queues as people turned out early from different parts of the local government area to take advantage of the services in the five-day outreach.
SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams commented: “We believe that caring for people goes beyond business; it is a responsibility and a privilege. That is why we remain committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen communities and create lasting impact.”
The Badagry outreach was the 6th since the inception of the Vision First initiative in 2022. Late last year, the first session outside Lagos was held in Asaba, Delta State where nearly 2,000 people received healthcare.
The Vision First programme incorporates other aspects of health care such as cardiovascular screening, consultations and treatment for mild and chronic illnesses, laboratory services, pharmaceutical services and distribution of insecticide-treated nets.
The programme has been delivered in collaboration with Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, an NGO based in Jos, Plateau State, which aims “to provide comprehensive eye care to the poor and underprivileged in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
SNEPCo, which pioneered deepwater oil production in Nigeria through the Bonga field in 2005, also supports the socio-economic development of the country through investments in education, health, employment generation and infrastructural development.
NEWS
Osun 2026: Tinubu Congratulated Adeleke Before INEC Declared Him Winner — Accord Chieftain
President Bola Tinubu congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the 2026 governorship election before the Independent National Electoral Commission formally declared him winner, an Accord Party chieftain, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has disclosed.
Olajengbesi made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo shortly after Adeleke was declared winner of the election.
He commended Tinubu for what he described as the President’s decision not to interfere with the electoral process, saying it demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that the election was free, fair and credible.
SEE MORE: Osun 2026: Oyebanji Applauds Adeleke, Says Voters Have Spoken
According to him, the President had earlier directed INEC and security agencies to ensure that the election met the required standards.
However, Olajengbesi said the poll could not be considered entirely free and fair, alleging that opposition supporters were subjected to oppression and arrests.
“Let me be honest with you, we are also appreciative of Mr. President because at the commencement of this election, Mr. President himself announced to the world and gave a directive to INEC and all security agencies that this election must be free, fair, and credible.
“We want to believe that this election is very credible, but we do not agree that this election is free and fair because it was oppressive. Our people are still in detention. As I speak to you today, even during the election, over 11 persons were arrested in the process.”
Despite his concerns, Olajengbesi praised Tinubu for allowing the electoral process to continue and respecting the outcome.
“We are glad that the president was able to stand by his word and insist that the right thing must be done,” he said.
He further revealed that Tinubu had contacted Adeleke to congratulate him before INEC formally announced the result.
“Let me tell you this quickly: even before the result was declared yesterday night, Mr. President called Mr. Governor and congratulated him, and that is good leadership,” Olajengbesi said.
Adeleke won the election with 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who secured 444,815 votes.
NEWS
Empower Police Wives to Boost Officers’ Morale — NPTF
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has called for greater empowerment of police officers’ wives, saying economically empowered families can boost the morale, stability and effectiveness of personnel.
The Fund made the call after training and equipping 100 wives of police officers in Kogi State with tailoring and hairstyling starter packs.
SEE MORE: State Police Bill: FG Extends Deadline for Nigerians to Submit Memoranda
The empowerment programme, which was held at the 37 Squadron, Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) Barracks, Lokoja, was designed to equip the beneficiaries with vocational skills and tools to establish sustainable sources of income.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, represented by Salihu Aliyu, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the families behind police officers who often operate under demanding and hazardous conditions.
He said, “By providing these starter packs, the Fund is creating opportunities for beneficiaries to become economically empowered, develop sustainable sources of income and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of their families.
“These starter packs represent opportunity, empowerment, hope and a pathway towards self-reliance.”
Sheidu urged the beneficiaries to regard the equipment as an investment in their future and utilise the skills acquired during the training to establish viable businesses.
Also speaking, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, represented by DCP Baba Mallam, stressed the importance of supporting police wives as part of efforts to improve the welfare and effectiveness of police personnel.
He said, “The welfare of the police extends beyond our officers to the families who support them and make their service possible. Our officers make enormous sacrifices in the service of our nation.
“An empowered family is a stronger family. Such families contribute significantly to the morale, stability and effectiveness of officers.”
Kankarofi commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, for his commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families, while appreciating the NPTF for sponsoring the empowerment programme.
He urged the beneficiaries to put the skills and equipment to productive use and turn them into sustainable sources of livelihood.
The Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Kogi State Chapter, Mrs Asmau Kankarofi, described the starter packs as “seeds of economic independence” for the beneficiaries.
She said police wives remained a vital source of encouragement, strength and support to their husbands and families, particularly given the sacrifices associated with policing.
“We understand the sacrifices that come with the policing profession. As wives, we remain a vital source of encouragement, strength and support to our husbands and families,” she said.
She urged the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment judiciously and support one another in building sustainable businesses.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the NPTF and pledged to make productive use of the equipment to improve the welfare of their families.





